Pregnancy and maternity
Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context.
Protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating someone unfavourably because they are breastfeeding. After 26 weeks, sex discrimination protection applies.140 For more information see the University’s Maternity leave: policy and procedure for staff and the University’s Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Policy.
Related links
- UoY Maternity, Paternity or Shared parental leave guidance
- UoY Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Policy.
- Student Paid Parental Leave
- Unpaid Parental Leave Guidance
Content warning
Some of the terminology and definitions used in this glossary relate to subject matter that may be upsetting or triggering for some people.
It is entirely legal to breastfeed in public places anywhere in the UK. According to the Equality Act 2010, treating a person unfavourably because they are breastfeeding a child of any age is considered sex discrimination.139
The University has dedicated spaces if you would like a quiet place to feed your child or to express milk. There are also baby changing facilities located across campus. To find where these are located on campus search either ‘breastfeeding’ or ‘baby changing’ on the campus map.
An entitlement to time off paid work that may be taken by the biological mother during the first year of a child's life. For more information see the University’s Maternity leave: policy and procedure for staff and the University’s Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Policy.
An entitlement to time off paid work that may be taken by the biological father or mother's partner during the first year of a child's life. For more information see the University’s Paternity leave guidance for staff and the University’s Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Policy.
The policy by which mothers, fathers, partners and adopters are eligible to choose how to share time off work after their child is born or placed. This could mean that the mother or adopter shares some of the leave with their partner.
Some graduate students may be entitled to take shared parental leave. This leave may be taken by either parent during the first year of birth or adoption of a child. See:
- Information for York students on Paid parental leave
- For students on RCUK grants, information is available on page 14 of the Grant Terms and Conditions of training grants.
If you are a research student and have any questions about shared parental leave, please contact the Research Student Admin Team by email at: research-student-admin
For more information see the University’s Shared parental leave: policy, procedure and guidance.
In the UK this refers to allowing parents with a child born or adopted after 15 December 1999 to take unpaid leave in order to care for that child. For more information see the University’s unpaid parental leave guidance.
Related links
- UoY Maternity, Paternity or Shared parental leave guidance
- UoY Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Policy.
- Student Paid Parental Leave
- Unpaid Parental Leave Guidance