Pregnant singer, Marli Harwood has signed a recording contract with Island Records which includes a maternity clause. This will restrict her working hours throughout the pregnancy, allow for maternity leave and pay for childcare.

Marli had been about to give up on her hopes of a career in the music industry and was going to concentrate on her family when her single, It’s Called a Heart, was chosen as record of the week on Radio 2.

This is refreshing, not only in the world of celebrity where women return to work weeks after giving birth, but also a good example to all working women that it is perfectly acceptable to incorporate such clauses into your employment contracts.

At the moment, new paternity and maternity regulations are hoping to support families with schemes such as shared leave and flexible working hours.

Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for 39 weeks. The pay for the first 6 weeks is 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, after which it reduces to £128.73 per week or remains at 90%, whichever is less. The rates are reviewed every April.

We hope that Marli mirrors the success of negotiating her contract with the sale of her record.