What Is Maternity Leave? | HR Glossary | BambooHR
Protected time off around childbirth for the birth parent, with statutory and often contractual pay.
Maternity leave is the statutory entitlement to time off for a pregnant employee before and after the birth of a child. It protects the employee's job and continuity of service while they recover and care for their newborn.
In Ireland, employees are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave plus up to 16 weeks of additional, generally unpaid, leave. State Maternity Benefit is payable for the initial period subject to social insurance contributions; whether the employer tops this up depends on the contract or policy. The UK provides up to 52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Leave with Statutory Maternity Pay for eligible employees.
Employers must handle antenatal appointments, health and safety risk assessments, return-to-work arrangements and protection from discrimination. Clear policies help managers support employees consistently and avoid unlawful treatment.
