Verstia
England & Walesmaternity

Pregnancy Notification Letter (Employee to Employer) — England & Wales

This is a static, verified master template. AI never generates the clause text below — it only helps you fill in the variable fields after you sign in.

About this template

This pregnancy notification letter is how an employee tells their employer, in writing, that they're pregnant, when the baby is due, and when they'd like their maternity leave to start. It's a faithful reproduction of the ACAS template letter to tell your employer you're pregnant, and it sits within Verstia's Maternity process pack, alongside the employer's letter confirming maternity leave.

When to use it
When you're ready to tell your employer about your pregnancy and the date you'd like maternity leave to start — by the end of the 15th week before your due date, or as soon as reasonably practical if that isn't possible.
What's included
Fill-in fields for the letter date, who it's addressed to, your expected week of childbirth, the date you'd like your maternity leave to start, and your name.

This document's core is based on a template published by ACAS (inferred to be under OGL-3.0, from ACAS's site-wide licensing notice — not a template-specific statement). Verstia does not claim this text is approved by ACAS — its fidelity to the source is verified by a deterministic diff, not a legal review.

Template preview
TEMPLATE LETTER TO TELL YOUR EMPLOYER YOU'RE PREGNANT

letter date
Dear recipient name,
I am writing to tell you that I am pregnant.
My baby is due on due date.
I would like to start my maternity leave on leave start date.
Yours sincerely,
employee name

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If you have concerns about pregnancy or maternity discrimination, or about your job being at risk during your leave, get independent legal advice — pregnancy and maternity are protected characteristics and dismissal/redundancy during this period carries specific legal protections.
This document is provided as a template for information purposes and is not legal advice.
For advice on a specific situation, consult a qualified adviser or Acas (acas.org.uk).
Variables you will fill in
  • Letter datedaterequired
  • Recipient (employer / HR manager / line manager)textrequired
  • Expected week of childbirth (due date)daterequired

    By law, tell your employer at least 15 weeks before your due date (this is the statutory 'qualifying week') — or as soon as reasonably practical if that isn't possible.

  • Date you would like your maternity leave to startdaterequired
  • Your name (signatory)textrequired

    You do not need any minimum length of service to notify your employer of pregnancy or to take statutory maternity leave — this is a day-one right. Statutory Maternity Pay has separate eligibility rules (26 weeks' continuous employment and a minimum earnings threshold).

Related
Part of the Maternity Process Pack (England & Wales) — see all documents and the step-by-step guide
Frequently asked questions
Is this template free?
You can preview the full template and fill it in for free — the preview is watermarked. To download a clean copy you need a paid plan or pack.
Is it legally accurate?
It's a faithful, diff-verified reproduction of the ACAS source, checked by a deterministic diff (not a legal review, and not approved by ACAS). It's general information, not legal advice.
When should I tell my employer I'm pregnant?
By the end of the 15th week before your due date (the 'qualifying week'), or as soon as reasonably practical if that isn't possible. The letter also tells your employer when you'd like your maternity leave to start.
Do I need a minimum length of service?
No. You don't need any minimum length of service to notify your employer of pregnancy or to take statutory maternity leave — it's a day-one right. Statutory Maternity Pay has separate eligibility rules (26 weeks' continuous employment and a minimum earnings threshold).
How long is maternity leave?
Statutory Maternity Leave is up to 52 weeks. Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks, so leave can continue after pay ends.
What happens after I send this letter?
Your employer confirms your maternity leave arrangements in writing. Verstia's Maternity process pack includes a template for that employer letter too.

This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on a specific situation, consult a qualified adviser or Acas (acas.org.uk).