University maternity leave guidance
Pregnancy and new parent employees
Pregnancy risk assessments and advice for new and expectant parents
A new or expectant mother is a woman who is pregnant, has given birth within the last six months or is breast feeding.
Being pregnant or a new mother does not prevent you from working and developing your career. Many women work while they are pregnant and return to work while they are breastfeeding. In some workplaces, there are risks that may affect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers and that of their child and there are specific laws that require employers to protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers.
Informing your employer and pregnancy risk assessments
If you are pregnant, have given birth in the last six months or are breastfeeding, you are not required to inform your employer, but are strongly encouraged to do so. It is important for you and your child’s health and safety protection, and for maternity leave purposes that you provide them with written notification as early as possible. For more information please see the Personnel website:
Before going on maternity leave
When you have told your employer in writing that you are pregnant, they may want to conduct a pregnancy risk assessment to cover the risks in your working environment. If risks cannot be removed, your employer must:
- Temporarily adjust your working conditions and/or hours of work – if that is not possible:
- You should be offered suitable alternative work (at the same rate of pay) if available – if that is not feasible:
- You should be suspended from work on paid leave for as long as necessary, to protect your health and safety, and that of your baby
Find more information on the general risk assessment produced by the Health and Safety Executive:
HSE pregnancy risk assessment guidance
Safety Office guidance for pregnancy risk assessments
If following the risk assessment you or your manager still have concerns in regards to controlling the risks to your health, you and/or your manager can contact Occupational Health for further guidance. We may want to involve your Divisional Safety Officer and/or take advice and guidance form the central Safety Office as well.
Similarly, if you have a pregnancy related medical condition, we would always encourage you to speak to you manager in regards to this as this may affect the outcome of the risk assessment and help to resolve the concern. However, you can contact Occupational Health for further guidance.
Breastfeeding on return to work
Should the new parent wish to continue breastfeeding on return to work, the department should be informed in writing so that the Risk Assessment for Expectant and Nursing Individuals can be reviewed.
A suitable private space and opportunity to express breast milk while at work can then be planned. A secure, clean fridge in which to store the milk, work breaks at appropriate times or flexibility of start and/or finish times whilst breastfeeding will be considered. See the NHS guidance on breastfeeding and work for information.
Workplace risks, regulations and guidance
You may be at risk from processes, working conditions or physical, biological and chemical agents in the workplace, and these risks will vary depending on your health and at different stages of your pregnancy.
Some of the more common risks might be (as defined by the HSE):
- Lifting or carrying heavy loads
- Standing or sitting still for long lengths of time
- Exposure to infectious diseases - further information about infection risks to new and expectant mothers in the workplace
- Exposure to lead
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Work-related stress
- Workstations and posture
- Exposure to radioactive material
- Threat of violence in the workplace
- Long working hours
- Excessively noisy workplaces
Specific laws relating to new and expectant mothers at work are mainly contained in:
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW) which require employers to protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 which require employers to provide suitable rest facilities
- The Equality Act 2010 which provides protection to pregnant women and those on maternity leave against discrimination - depending on the circumstances, this can include failing to carry out a risk assessment under MHSW regarding a pregnant worker
These regulations cover female employees of childbearing age and expectant or new mothers, including those who are breastfeeding.
Related guidance
Safety Office guidance for pregnancy risk assessments
Safety Office guidance for pregnancy risk assessments
Contact us
Occupational Health Services
10 Parks Road
Oxford OX1 3PD
01865 (2)82676
Opening hours
Monday - Thursday: 8.30am to 5pm
Friday: 8.30am to 4pm
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