Starting a family should be a happy and joyful time, however, this life-changing event can be made stressful if your employer isn’t supportive.
Parents and other individuals who are responsible for caring for dependants whilst working have a number of legal protections.
This section focuses on maternity rights but if you have caring responsibilities for children, relatives or dependants you should also be aware of the right to request flexible working, and other ‘family-friendly rights’ such as the right to shared parental leave, parental leave, and emergency time off for dependants (all subject to certain eligibility criteria).