Do I need to show proof when telling work about pregnancy?

[CosyCheshiremumtobe]

Hi

Pregnant 11 weeks with my first. Based in England. Ive been in my role a year and as our scan is booked soon the time is coming to tell my employer I think.

Can someone please explain, when you tell your manager (about intention to take maternity leave as per statutory right), do you or are you supposed to show any documents to or anything? A doctors note or scan or something?

All very new to me so just trying to understand the process!

I don’t know if all companies are different, but when I told my manager at 7 weeks pregnant, she didn’t want to see anything. It wasn’t until just before my mat leave started at around 7/8 months, that I started doing all the official paperwork and you have to show them a form you get from the hospital.

You don’t have to show any documentation now, just when you plan maternity leave, but you won’t get that documentation for a long while yet. I told work around 22 weeks, and sent a copy of my mat B form when sorting fb out maternity leave, but I didn’t do that for a long time after. Your partner will have to show that to their work too for paternity and shared parental leave, but again, it’s a while off.

At some point after your 20 week scan a midwife will give you your MATB1 form which you will need to give your employer when you arrange your maternity leave. Photocopy it before you hand it over in case it gets lost.

Not at this point, no.

Once you reach 20 weeks of pregnancy you will get a MatB1 from your midwife and you will have to give this to your employer so they can arrange your maternity pay. Before that all you need is to tell your employer youre pregnant especially if you are suffering from pregnancy related complications and need time off work. They should do a risk assessment to check if there are any dangers in the work environment

Hi :) at 12 week appt you are usually given a pregnancy certificate thing...I cant remember the exact name of it. I gave a copy of this to my manager.

Mat1B form after your 20 week scan. No evidence required before then, but depending what you do for work, they may want to complete some risk assessment forms with you in the meantime.

You might be thinking of a maternity exemption certificate that entitles you to free prescriptions, dental care, etc

The MatB1 is given after 20 weeks and you give that to your employer to get maternity pay.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/maternity-exemption-certificates