Maternity and Adoption Policy

This policy details employees' statutory rights to maternity and adoption leave and the obligations imposed on both the employee and the employer by law. This policy document also details the rights and obligations regarding adoption leave for both male and female employees. Use of this policy by an employer will help to protect against claims, including claims for sex discrimination. The clauses in this policy include: qualification and terms for leave for both male and female employees, procedure for notifying employer of pregnancy or intention to take adoption leave, details of ordinary, additional and compulsory maternity leave, details of statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance, extension of maternity leave due to sickness, details of ordinary & additional adoption leave and statutory adoption pay, contractual rights and obligations during both maternity and adoption leave, procedure for notifying employer of intention to return to work after leave.