Maternity Benefits Guide - Hampshire County Council

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soon as possible, of the date of childbirth, and to
provide evidence of the date the baby was
expected.
9.4 Your HR caseworker’s role
Your HR caseworker will respond, within 28 days to any
queries and notifications.
Your HR caseworker will respond to your completed form
M1 (using letter M4) which confirms your expected return
to work date.
Please note that if, when the MAT B1 Certificate is
received, it is noted that entitlements to maternity leave
are affected, your HR caseworker will provide you with a
revised letter M4.
9.5 Ensuring your health and safety at work
Your line manager has a duty to:
• Assess the risks to your health and safety if you
are pregnant, have recently given birth or are
breast-feeding.
• Ensure that you are not exposed to risks identified
by the risk assessment which would present a
danger to your health and safety.
It is therefore very important that, once you have told
your line manager that you are pregnant, your line
manager carries out a risk assessment with you. This
must be reviewed regularly throughout your pregnancy
and especially if your circumstances change during your
pregnancy and again if/when you return to work.
9.6 If you don’t take maternity leave
If you decide to resign from your post rather than start
maternity leave, you must notify your line manager in
writing of your resignation. The resignation will take
effect from your last day at work. It is therefore very
important that you have a clear understanding of the
impact this may have on any leave or pay entitlements
you may otherwise have been entitled to.
It is important to note that if you terminate your
employment at this stage you will not have the right to
return to work after the birth of your baby.
If you are unsure whether you will be returning to work
after your maternity leave, you may choose to indicate on
Form M1:
• the date maternity leave or your resignation will
commence; and