Work during maternity leave

Q: I am on maternity leave and due to go back at the end of six months. I would like to be able to go in one day a month to attend meetings, so that I can be kept up to date with what’s going on. However, my employer has told me that I am not entitled to work at all during my maternity leave. Is this right?

A: The law was changed in April 2007 to allow an employee to do up to 10 days’ work during her statutory maternity leave (except during the two weeks immediately after childbirth) without ending her leave, so you are now entitled to work during your maternity leave. Any part of a day is treated as a full day for these purposes.