Posted By Nick House Hi all Just a quick query - when an employee gives notification that they are pregnant, is verbal notification sufficient, or does it legally need to be written. I currently operate a policy whereby an employee needs to sign an date a declaration, which is held on their personnel file. However, I am now in a situation where I have an employee who is 6 weeks pregnant, but doesn't want it to become common knowledge until she reaches the magic '12 weeks'. Therefore, although any such notiofication will remain confidential, for the next 6 weeks, is the verbal notification sufficient?

Posted By Nick House Hi Gary Thanks for that - it's what I thought, but I was unable to refer to my copy of the management regs, as I have loaned it to someone else (fatal, I know........) At the end of the day, as far as I'm concerned, I'll be keeping an eye out for her, and we have agreed to discreetly go through a full risk assessment. We're in a 'low risk' environment, so there will be no noticeable changes in her work/ work area for those who are 'not in the know' to notice. Regards Nick.

Posted By Fran Holt The MATB1 form is generally issued after about 20 weeks of pregnancy. From what i understand and being a pregnant worker for the third time i have a fair understanding - is that verbal notification is fine until the MATB1 is issued and written notification has to be given regarding starting maternity leave dates etc It is important that a risk assessment is carried out as soon as is possible to the line manager being informed that the employee is pregnant. Employees often chose to leave it till the 'magical' 12 weeks (typical a bloke wrote that) until the miscarriage risk is reduced, unfortunatly some jobs like mine make it virtually impossible to leave it that long for health and safety reasons. Fran

Posted By Nick House Hi Lorraine You've potentially hit the nail on the head there. Fran - it was the lady in question that mentioned the 'magical 12 weeks', rather than my making a stereotypical male comment.... Plenty of healthy debate so far, and thanks all for the advice. Regards Nick.