Anon please
Hi,
Just have some questions about maternity leave. I have been employed at my job for 9 months (permanent part-time). My husband and I have decided to start trying for our first baby.
Would like to try and take 6 months mat leave, when we do fall pregnant and have a baby.
Is there anyway that employee could stop me from taking leave if I fall pregnant before 12 months of employment? Will I still be eligible for leave if I fall pregnant and they realise it happened before 12months of work?
Planning to work whole duration of pregnancy.
Or will I be able to still get that time off for mat leave, as I will have been employed 18months + by the time I fall pregnant and have a baby. (including working the duration of the pregnancy.)
Hope this is not too confusing. Not looking for judgement, just after advice from others that have experienced this.
Also when I do fall pregnant, what time if should/ have to inform my employer?
Thanks.
4 Replies
You cannot be discriminated against because you're pregnant. Some employers might try & do the dirty but mostly they're good.
You should be entitled to paid govt mat leave & unpaid employment leave. The law is pretty clear.
I suggest you read up on your rights on the govt. website before doing anything.
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/maternity-and-parental-leave/pregnant-...
As far as I know you can fall pregnant anytime as long you’re not on probation they are legally obliged to hold your job for 12 months from when you take maternity leave.
Depending on your industry agreement is when you can work up until. I had to leave work at 34 weeks unless I had a doctors certificate in my industry agreement.
You’ll get 18 weeks paid maternity leave from the government. Centrelink pay your employer who process it ect so you still pay tax.
You are not entitled to any from your employer unless it’s stated otherwise in your contract. I worked for the one company for 10 years and only ever got the maternity pay from the government.
We just saved and lived frugal and we made do. Another thing to consider is that the maternity leave doesn’t start until after the baby is born.
No employee can stop you from getting mat leave. as a permanent part time role you have rights. so long as you go on leave after 12 months of employment you will be fine. legally they have to hold your role till you return. Good luck with the new family
I say you will be fine as it is by how long you have worked there not when you conceive. Most healthy couples take a few months to get pregnant anyway.
I told my employers after we had our 12 week scan and everything was good with bub, I am pretty sure it is all on the centrelink site but I think you have to give 10 weeks notice before your maternity leave start date. Also depends on you and the job, you may need to go on light duties if it is a demanding job