Where to find things

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1. Who’s this policy for? ......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. I’m pregnant, what do I need to do now? ....................................................................................................... 3
a) Health & Safety ................................................................................................................................................... 3
b) Antenatal appointments..................................................................................................................................... 3
c) Performance ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
d) Ill-health ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
e) Travel ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
f) Notice to take maternity leave .......................................................................................................................... 4
g) Miscarriage and stillbirth.................................................................................................................................... 4
3. What maternity leave can I have? ................................................................................................................... 4
4. Am I entitled to maternity pay? ......................................................................................................................... 4
5. What happens to my benefits when I’m on maternity leave? ...................................................................... 5
6. Can I work while I’m on maternity leave? ....................................................................................................... 5
a) Keeping in Touch days ...................................................................................................................................... 5
b) Right to work ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
7. What happens to my holidays, bank holidays and personal day? .............................................................. 5
8. Can I take shared parental leave? ................................................................................................................... 6
9. I’m pregnant whilst on maternity leave, so will I be eligible for further maternity leave and pay? ......... 6
10. What happens when I return to work? ............................................................................................................ 6
a) Health and Safety Risk Assessment ............................................................................................................... 6
b) Annual health checks......................................................................................................................................... 6
c) Breastfeeding ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Related material ......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Policy info .................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Policy owner: ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Ownership and confidentiality .................................................................................................................................. 8

Internal, Maternity, Version 8.1, Page 2 of 8 – December 2020

Introduction
At Tesco we want to support parents. This document
outlines our policy regarding pregnancy and maternity
leave. It is subject to change from time to time so please
ensure you are reading the most up-to-date version.
We are committed to ensuring that you are told about your
maternity rights and receive the support you need at work
during your pregnancy, maternity leave and on your return
to work.
1. Who’s this policy for?
This policy is applicable to you if you or your partner are
thinking of having a baby, are pregnant or have given
birth. It is to be used as a reference to provide an
overview of the key facts. This policy doesn’t form part of
your contract and may be amended or withdrawn at any
time.
2. I’m pregnant, what do I need to do now?
a) Health & Safety
As soon as you feel comfortable to do so, let you manager
know you are pregnant. This is important as there may be
some health & safety considerations to make around your
role.
We will ensure pregnant colleagues are treated fairly, and
are protected from any health & safety risks. Your
manager will conduct a health and safety risk assessment
with you, within one week of you letting them know you’re
pregnant, and depending on the risks identified you will:
• Continue working in the same way, in the same role (if
there are little or no risks to you or your baby)
• Make reasonable adjustments to the tasks we are
asking you to complete
• Adjust working hours where medically necessary, or
• Move you to an alternative role.
In the unlikely event that we cannot make reasonable
adjustments to ensure a safe place to work, we will send
you home on full contractual pay.
Please speak to your manager if any problems arise during
your pregnancy that you believe are associated with work
and request a review of your health and safety risk
assessment.
b) Antenatal appointments
If you have an antenatal appointment during working time,
we will pay you for any time spent at, or travelling to/from
these appointments. Try to give your manager as much
notice as you can. We may ask to see evidence of your
Internal, Maternity, Version 8.1, Page 3 of 8 – December 2020
appointment. For colleagues on Work and Pay you can
upload evidence of this into the document’s section.
c) Performance
We will continue to manage your performance in the
normal way. This includes regular open and honest
conversations, progress reviews, career discussions and
supporting your performance where appropriate.
d) Ill-health
All sickness should be reported in line with the normal
absence processes and any sickness, including pregnancy
related sickness, is managed in line with our normal
absence processes. However, pregnancy related sickness
will be excluded from any absence calculations.
Sick pay entitlements, as outlined in the Sickness Absence
Policy, do not change as a result of you being pregnant.
However, managers can exercise their discretion to extend
company sick pay.
Circumstances where the extension of company sick pay
would be appropriate include but are not limited to:
• Miscarriage
• High blood pressure
• Severe pelvic pain
• Hyperemesis
• Gravidarum (severe morning sickness)
• Pre-eclampsia
Any extension to company sick pay will be reviewed on an
appropriate basis. The process to request an extension to
company sick pay is outlined in the Managers Guide to
Sickness Absence
The three day waiting period does not apply to you if you
are off work due to a pregnancy-related illness.
If you are off work ill due to a pregnancy-related illness
after the beginning of the fourth week before your due date,
your maternity leave will start automatically.
e) Travel
The likelihood of you needing medical attention can be
greater during pregnancy and we will not ask you to travel
to any area where medical services will be of doubtful
quality or where language or cultural differences may make
diagnosis or treatment more difficult.
Our travel insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy or childbirth
expenses within 2 months of your due date.