Pregnant women are entitled for maternity leave. Sufficient maternity leave will be granted to employees so that pregnant women will be benefited. 26 weeks is granted for ordinary maternity leave. Specification of time is not is essential.

If the employee works up to the expected date of birth, he may be entitled for additional leave during maternity period. Additional period of 26 weeks is granted after the lapse of the original maternity period. Maternity leave that is considered ordinary can be taken any time after the 11th week and just before the duly expected birth date. Though there are specifications the employee if desired, and in case if health permits they are entitled to work even up to the expected birth date.

Employer should be furnished with prior maternity leave notice at least 15 weeks before the due birth date is expected. Within 28 days the employer must confirm and sanction the maternity leave on confirmation on the employee's date of return. Employees should be assured of the same and similar benefits which they enjoyed before the maternity was taken.

Statutory medical pay should be issued to all the pregnant employees. An employee is entitled to SMP only after confirmation of work for 26 consecutive weeks before the date of delivery. SMP is paid for 26 weeks soon after the starting of ordinary maternity leave. SMP will be paid similarly to the employee like normal wages or monthly earnings. The wages or monthly earnings will be inclusive of bonus.

In case of emergency the employee may be granted leave accordingly at the discretion of the employer. Employer shall pay as per the specifications of the contract and he is not liable to pay extra wages.

The average maternity leave has been shortened in US recently. Medically it has been advised that lengthy maternity would be able to restore physical and mental health of the pregnant women. It has been scientifically proved that first six weeks of motherhood are mostly demanding. Mothers feel that six weeks of leave after delivery is too short. But most of the employers feel that a total of 26 week would be adequate enough for women to get back for work.