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Employment Law
Maternity and paternity leave
Juggling work and family life has never been easy. Our employment lawyers can advise you on your maternity, paternity and parental rights at work, including leave, pay and returning to work.
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Your parental rights at work
Having a baby is a major life event, and understanding your rights at work can help you plan with confidence. If you have concerns about maternity or paternity leave, pay or your treatment at work, our employment solicitors can provide clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances.
We can help you understand your rights before, during or after parental leave and advise you if you believe your employer has treated you unfairly.
If you are concerned about returning to work
Returning to work after maternity, paternity or shared parental leave can raise practical and legal questions. Your employer should not disadvantage you because you have taken family-related leave or because you have exercised your employment rights.
We can advise you if your role has changed, you have been offered different duties or hours, you are facing redundancy, or you are having difficulty agreeing flexible working arrangements.
"Sound, practical advice given in clear terms and tailored to the client's needs. Approachable and easy to work with." Legal 500 2026
Pregnancy and maternity discrimination
Pregnancy and maternity discrimination can take many forms, from being overlooked for promotion to being treated unfairly because of pregnancy, maternity leave or plans to return to work.
If you believe you have been discriminated against, we can help you understand your rights, explore the options available to you and, where appropriate, advise on making a formal complaint or bringing an Employment Tribunal claim.
Maternity, paternity and parental leave advice
Our employment lawyers can advise on a wide range of issues relating to pregnancy, maternity and paternity leave, including:
- your entitlement to maternity or paternity leave and pay
- statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance
- statutory paternity pay and leave
- adoption leave and pay
- shared parental leave and pay
- parental leave and other family-related leave
- your rights during pregnancy and maternity leave
- keeping in touch days and returning to work
- requests for flexible working after having a child
- changes to your role, hours or working arrangements when you return from leave
- redundancy during pregnancy, maternity or family-related leave
- pregnancy and maternity discrimination
- unfavourable treatment because you have taken or requested family-related leave
- raising a grievance with your employer
- negotiating an agreed exit or settlement agreement
- bringing a claim in the Employment Tribunal where appropriate.
Get in touch today, we’re here to help
Our employment solicitors understand that employment issues involving pregnancy, maternity and family life can be particularly sensitive. We provide straightforward, practical advice focused on helping you understand your options and achieve the best possible outcome.
Whether you need advice about your leave and pay entitlement, are preparing to return to work or are dealing with a dispute with your employer, we can help.
We have offices across Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, but we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.
Legal and financial advice under one roof
Tees is a top-tier Legal 500 firm offering joined-up legal and financial services. We have our own independent financial advisers (IFAs), who work closely with our lawyers.
Our advisers provide holistic financial planning and as we are not connected to any one provider, we can offer a whole-of-market approach for the range of products we can advise on. We can also give independent advice for a whole range of insurance products to protect you and your family. Our IFAs are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means we’re accountable for the advice we give.
Our experience in maternity and paternity leave law
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Tees Law does not provide Legal Aid. You can find more information here about Legal Aid and eligibility requirements.
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What our clients say
★★★★★
“I had a separation agreement from my employer for which I needed prompt legal assistance, as I had a deadline of ~48 hours. After I contacted Tees, Ola called me almost immediately. She worked quickly and she was thorough and courteous with her advice towards me and her communication with my employer.”
★★★★★
“Katherine Jameson has a great strategic mind and is always thinking three steps ahead. She is always across her brief and has considered every aspect of every case she is working on. A safe pair of hands.”
Legal 500 2026
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