Advice please - tell work about pregnancy

[millennialprobs]

Hello, I'm hoping someone can help.
I'm looking for advice on the best way to tell my work I'm pregnant.
I'm 16 weeks.
Is there a certain way it needs to be done (I'm in the U.K.).
Do I need to do it formally in writing?
What info do I need to give other than pregnancy & due date?
Is there anything specific I should say?

How does maternity leave work? Do I have to request it? When?

The last time I was in this position was 10 years ago & I was only working as a temp so it wasn't an issue really.

Sorry if I sound dense, I have looked online but id rather hear real life experiences. I'm nervous🙂

Speak to HR and line manager and they should handle it all.

For me I told management at 4 weeks due to risk assessments and needing my duties changed ,
when I was 21 weeks I got my matb1 form from midwife and sat with my line manager and filled out forms of when my annual leave and maternity leave was starting and when my mat leave ending and annual leave ending . Handed this to payroll

a week later payroll sent a letter to me saying I was accepted for maternity pay and also my forecasts on how I wanted to be paid. - I work for nhs so I can either be paid standard way or all the payments added into one lump sum and spread out over how many months I wanted off

@millennialprobs Depends a bit on your workplace I think. I told my line manager first both times. The first time I was over 12 weeks and said she could inform others to start arranging maternity cover. This time I told her earlier but asked her to wait to tel the wider leadership team until after 12 weeks. I did a risk assessment form with my line manager but otherwise HR only really became interested once I got my Mat1B form and started arranging mat leave officially

Told my manager at 16 weeks and let HR know but nothing actually happened until I got Mat B1 at 25 weeks which was where I put my due date and then discussed the date I wanted to start maternity leave. I had a verbal conversation first then just put in an email, HR then gave me an official letter of my dates and what I will be earning as well as return to work date. I think that's probably standard practice as my employer only gives stat maternity pay.
My job is mainly office/home based so there were no extra allowances to make for me so no need to tell them sooner.
I booked 2 weeks holiday before my mat leave starts at 38 weeks but I've actually just cancelled those because I'd rather carry them over..was easier to do this than would have been to change the dates of actual mat leave.