Maternity leave whilst on two-year contract

[Karen2005]

Completely theoretical question, but I just wondered what the law was in regards to maternity leave whilst on a fixed-term contract (say two years)?

Say, I had worked somewhere for more than 6 months (so qualify for SMP) and had 18 months of the contract left.

Does it simply depend on the individual company as to whether you could return to work once maternity leave has finished (regardless of whether this is beyond the end of the two year contract) or is there a law in place which says the company has to allow you back to complete the contract?

Thanks!

[cascarelli]

Good question! I would hazard a guess (and this is only a guess) that the company might have to take you back or pay you to complete the two year contract?

The law does favour the mother over the company in most maternity cases which is what would make me guess that they would have to let you return or pay you.

Interesting point though, I hadn't heard of that particular scenario before!

[Karen2005]

Thanks Cascarelli.

I guessed it was a tricky question, because I hadn't received any answers until now! It only crossed my mind because I'm about to embark on a two-year contract. I am considering having children within the next couple of years, and the ideal scenario would be to wait until I know whether they'll renew the contract or I've started a new (permanent) job and have been there for at least 6 months.

However, this scenario occurred to me and I have no idea what the situation would be! Thanks for your response. It does seem likely that they favour the mother and allow me to complete the contract.