Can a Fixed-Term Employee Claim Maternity Benefit if Her Contract Expires Before Delivery?

A woman employed on a one-year contract informs HR that she is pregnant. Her expected delivery date falls after her contract expires. HR asks: “If she will no longer be on our rolls when the baby is born, do we still have to pay maternity benefit?” Yes—she may remain entitled. Where the applicable statutory conditions are satisfied, contract expiry alone should not be used to reject or cut short maternity benefits. T…