Maternity issues and SMP

1. Am I allowed to ask a woman at a job interview whether she is or intends to become pregnant?
2. When can an employee start ordinary maternity leave?
3. An employee who has only recently joined us has announced that she is pregnant. Is she entitled to maternity leave?
4. I only have three employees. If one of them disappears on maternity leave, I don't have to keep her job available for her, do I?
5. Under what circumstances do I have to pay statutory maternity pay (SMP)?
6. A new employee has just announced she is pregnant. Surely we can just dismiss her?
7. We have a part-timer who has just announced that she is pregnant. What is she entitled to?
8. We can't function without someone doing the job of a pregnant employee. Can we take on a replacement?
9. The replacement has turned out to be much better than the woman she replaced. Can we keep her and move the new mother sideways?
10. Do I have to put up with a pregnant employee who keeps on disappearing for maternity appointments?
11. I've got a pregnant employee who seems to be permanently sick. How much time off do I have to give her?
12. How much notice of return does a new mother have to give, and can we postpone her return?
13. An employee who has had a baby said she was coming back a month ago, but keeps on sending sick notes instead. What can we do?
14. An employee wants to come back on a part-time basis. This does not suit us. What can we do?
15. How much is statutory maternity pay?
16. Who actually pays SMP?
17. What do I need to know about making someone redundant during pregnancy or maternity leave?
18. We have taken away an employee's company car while she is on ordinary maternity leave. She says this is unlawful. Is it?
19. What do we have to give mothers (and fathers) by way of parental leave, and do we have to pay them for it?
20. Do I have any obligations in respect of a pregnant employee's health and safety?
21. We have a pregnant part-timer, who earns about £60 a week. What is she entitled to?
22. What evidence do I need of the date the baby is due, before I can reclaim SMP?