Making sure your business is supporting employees through pregnancy and maternity isn’t just a legal requirement – it’s part of creating a thriving and inclusive workplace that people want to come back to. And yet, in February 2025 Pregnant Then Screwed found that only half of women had a positive experience at work while pregnant or on maternity leave.

In this Q&A, Laura Donnelly, Employment Law Solicitor at Martin Searle Solicitors, will address how employers can put into place best practice procedures to ensure that all their staff are supported throughout their pregnancy, maternity leave and return to work. As well as looking at the new Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act that came into effect in April last year, this Q&A will also cover:

Making sure your business is supporting employees through pregnancy and maternity isn’t just a legal requirement – it’s part of creating a thriving and inclusive workplace that people want to come back to. And yet, in February 2025 Pregnant Then Screwed found that only half of women had a positive experience at work while pregnant or on maternity leave.

• What rights do pregnant women have in the workplace?
• Can an employee be made redundant when they are on Maternity Leave?
• What do employers need to know if an employee is experiencing pregnancy-related sickness?
• What paid time off do staff have for ante-natal appointments?
• What duties do employers have to their employees regarding Shared Parental Leave?
• How must employers deal with flexible working requests?
• What new redundancy protection do employees who are pregnant or returning from maternity leave have?

There will be the chance to submit your questions ahead of the event, as well as on the day.

Martin Searle Solicitors have run “Mind The Bump”, their annual campaign to stamp out pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace since 2005.

With thanks to our sponsor, BIPC.