Pregnancy and Parental Leave Management at Work
Welcome to GP Healthcare Alliance’s Pregnancy and Parental Leave Management at Work course.
This course is designed for anyone who will be responsible for upholding key HR principles to maintain fairness, equality and comply with employment law within the UK. While HR might not be your main role, understanding what employers are required to do is essential to your role in managing people. This course will cover the core aspects of pregnancy management at work and any related parental leave, giving a broad and relevant overview.
The time taken to complete this course will depend upon prior experience and knowledge and could take up to 2 hours to complete, particularly if your experience is limited, you will have a downloadable PDF at the end of the course lessons, for your future reference requirements.
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- Average time to complete: 2 hours
- 100% online
- Downloadable course content included
- Free CPD-accredited certificate to evidence professional development
Managing pregnancy and parental leave at work requires clear processes, sensitive communication and an understanding of an employer’s responsibilities. Managers need to support employees fairly throughout pregnancy, periods of family leave and their eventual return to the workplace, while protecting health, wellbeing and employment rights.
This CPD-accredited online pregnancy and parental leave management training course provides practical guidance for managers responsible for handling pregnancy notifications, maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave. It introduces the main types of leave and pay, workplace risk assessments, reasonable adjustments, communication during leave and return-to-work planning.
The course also explores common management responsibilities before, during and after parental leave. Practical examples help learners understand how to apply workplace policies consistently, avoid unfair treatment and provide employees with appropriate support throughout the process.
Why this course matters
- Helps managers understand their responsibilities when supporting pregnancy and parental leave at work
- Supports fair and consistent management of maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
- Reinforces the importance of pregnancy risk assessments, workplace safety and reasonable adjustments
- Encourages sensitive communication and appropriate support before, during and after family leave
- Helps organisations plan effective handovers and support a positive return to work
- Highlights common management mistakes that may lead to discrimination, unfair treatment or legal risk
What you will learn
- The main principles of maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave and pay
- How to respond appropriately when an employee announces a pregnancy or requests parental leave
- How to carry out and review pregnancy risk assessments and consider workplace adjustments
- How to plan handovers and maintain appropriate communication during maternity or parental leave
- How keeping in touch days and return-to-work planning can support successful reintegration
- How to recognise common risks and apply workplace policies fairly and consistently
Who this course is for
This online pregnancy and parental leave training course is suitable for anyone responsible for managing employees or responding to family leave requests, including:
- Line managers
- Practice managers
- HR managers and HR support staff
- Business owners
- Company directors
- GP partners and other professional partners
- Anyone responsible for managing maternity or parental leave
The course is particularly useful for managers who have responsibility for employees but do not have a specialist HR background. Its principles can be applied across a wide range of UK workplaces and sectors.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Recognise the main types of maternity and parental leave
- Explain the basic responsibilities of managers and employers
- Respond appropriately when an employee announces a pregnancy
- Maintain confidentiality and communicate sensitively
- Recognise when a pregnancy risk assessment is required
- Identify workplace risks that may affect a pregnant employee or new mother
- Consider appropriate workplace adjustments and sources of support
- Understand the basic principles of maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
- Plan effectively for an employee’s period of leave
- Agree appropriate communication during maternity or parental leave
- Understand the purpose of keeping in touch days
- Prepare for an employee’s return to work
- Recognise common mistakes and potentially unfair management practices
- Identify when HR, occupational health or specialist advice may be required
Full course description
Managing pregnancy and maternity leave at work
The course introduces the main principles of maternity leave and pay, and explains the responsibilities managers should consider after receiving notification of a pregnancy. It covers sensitive communication, confidentiality, leave planning and the support employees may need as their pregnancy progresses.
Paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
You will receive an overview of paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave, including the purpose of each type of leave and some of the responsibilities involved in responding to employee requests.
Pregnancy risk assessments and workplace adjustments
The course explores the importance of assessing workplace risks and reviewing them as an employee’s pregnancy, health, duties or working environment change. It also introduces adjustments that may help protect the employee’s health and enable them to continue working safely.
Planning and communication during leave
You will consider how managers can prepare for an employee’s departure, organise an effective handover and agree how communication will be maintained during leave. The course also introduces Keeping in Touch days and the importance of ensuring contact remains appropriate and mutually agreed.
Supporting the return to work
Returning after maternity or parental leave may involve practical, emotional and professional adjustments. The course considers how managers can prepare for an employee’s return, provide relevant workplace updates, identify support needs and help them reintegrate into their role. It also introduces workplace considerations for breastfeeding employees.
Avoiding common mistakes
Practical examples highlight problems such as delayed risk assessments, poor communication, inadequate leave planning, unfair treatment and failing to consider employee wellbeing. The course encourages managers to apply policies consistently while considering each employee’s circumstances.
Professional responsibility and scope
This course is designed to support knowledge and understanding but does not in itself confirm competence.
- Competency should be assessed within your workplace
- Practice should align with local protocols, current guidance, and professional standards
- You are responsible for applying learning appropriately within your role
Average time to complete
Approximately 2 hours, depending on your prior knowledge and experience. The course is fully self-paced, allowing you to complete it in stages. You can revisit any sections that you’re unsure of.
Course Content
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I buy this course for someone else?
Yes. To do this, register using their email address and the name they would like to appear on their certificate.
For example, you might know them as Kate, but they may need their certificate issued in their full birth name, Katherine. It’s best to check these details with them first.
Once the purchase is complete, they will receive the automatic course link by email.
Can I complete the course in my own time, and how long do I have to access it?
All of our online courses are self-paced, so you can complete them at a time that suits you. Your progress is saved at the end of each lesson, allowing you to return and continue later.
You will have six months from the date of enrolment to complete the course. After six months, the course will no longer be available.
Some courses, such as Basic Life Support, must be completed annually by clinical staff. A new course will therefore need to be purchased each year to ensure the training reflects the most up-to-date guidance.
Can I access the training material after completing the course?
Yes. The course materials are available to download during your access period, so you can keep a copy for future reference. Your course access will remain active for six months from the date of enrolment, after which the course will no longer be available.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept card payments via Stripe. You can pay using a debit or credit card (such as Visa or Mastercard).
When will I get my certificate?
As soon as you have passed the end-of-course assessment and achieved the required pass rate of 80% or more, your certificate will be available to download from the top of the course page.
Do you offer refunds if I no longer need the course?
Refunds may be available if you have not logged into your account.
Once you have logged in, you will have access to the course materials and downloadable content, and a refund will no longer be possible.
What should I do if I can't log into my account?
When registering, please make sure you enter the correct email address, as login issues are often caused by an incorrect email being used. It can help to copy and paste your email address to avoid mistakes.
If you are unable to log in, click ‘Forgotten password’ and follow the instructions to reset your password via the email link sent to you.
If you continue to experience issues, please contact GPHA-training@gphealthcarealliance.co.uk and we will endeavour to respond within two working weeks.
Save with flexible discounts
Create a bespoke training package:
Choose five or more courses for one learner and receive 30% off the full package
Book training for your team:
Purchasing multiple licences for the same course?
- 5 or more learners, receive 10% off
- 10 or more learners, receive 20% off
To receive a discount code or discuss offers, email gpha-training@gphealthcarealliance.co.uk
