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The Global Insight

When should my employer confirm my maternity leave?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on April 04, 2026

At least 15 weeks before the baby is expected, your employees must tell you the date that: the baby is due. they want to start their maternity leave – they can change this with 28 days’ notice.

Can maternity leave be denied?

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 is a federal law that protects pregnant employees from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. Under this act: Employers cannot refuse to hire a candidate based on pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions.

Do you have to disclose maternity leave?

No, you don’t have to tell them anything. The fact that you are pregnant should not have any bearing on whether you are the right person for the job. and it is against the law to take your pregnancy into account in any way.

How do I find out if a company has maternity leave?

Here are 5 ways to get the details on maternity leave at your company before you announce your baby news:

  1. Ask a trusted mom friend at work. takebackpostpartum.
  2. Check out List Your Leave. listyourleave.
  3. Search Fairygodboss. fairygodboss.
  4. March to HR. expectful.
  5. Search your company’s website or internal resources. expectful.

Can my employer refuse my maternity leave date?

Your employer cannot refuse to let you take maternity leave or refuse to let you change the start date providing you give notice as above. The earliest you can start your maternity leave is 11 weeks before your expected week of childbirth. The latest you can start your maternity leave is from the date you give birth.

Can I hand my notice in on maternity leave?

If you decide not to come back, you should resign as you would anytime and give the notice period stated in your contract or agreed with your employer. If you resign during your maternity leave, you do not have to go into work to ‘work’ your notice, you can remain on maternity leave.

What is the rule of maternity leave?

According to the Maternity Benefit Act female workers are entitled to a maximum of 12 weeks (84 days) of maternity leave. Out of these 12 weeks, six weeks leave is post-natal leave. In case of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy, a worker is entitled to six weeks of paid maternity leave.

Why does the Navy offer 18 weeks of maternity leave?

When the U.S. Navy recently began offering 18 weeks of maternity leave for sailors, it recognized that women who have maternity leave are more likely to return to work after their child’s birth. Which means companies don’t have to waste money and energy finding replacement workers.

Are there any arguments against paid maternity leave?

To make sure that doesn’t happen, we’ve compiled a series of handy reference guides with the most common arguments — and your counter-arguments — for all of the hot-button issues of the day. This week’s topic: Why The U.S. Should Have Paid Maternity Leave.

Are there any states that require maternity leave?

Some states have laws that guarantee you the right, not only to maternity leave, but to paid leave. They are still few and far between, but right now California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington and Washington, DC legally require it. Oregon will in 2023 and Colorado will in 2024.

How many weeks unpaid maternity leave do new parents get?

Under FMLA, new parents who welcome a child through surrogacy, birth or adoption are entitled to 12 weeks unpaid leave for bonding with the child. What if my new child isn’t an infant?