Maternity Leave and What It Entails

It is a good idea to learn a little bit more about how maternity affects a working woman’s life because such a condition will necessitate taking leave from work. Typically, you would be entitled to twenty-six week’s leave along with some more weeks of leave for which you won’t be paid. What’s more, you would also need to take leave two weeks prior to delivery of your baby and be away from your job for another four weeks (approximately) leave following the birth of your baby.

Whether or not you get paid during the time that you are on maternity leave will depend on the terms of your employment contract though it is well known that employers are not legally obliged to pay women while they are on maternity leave.

However, employers need to carry out their own independent assessment in regard to risks to pregnant workers and also in relation to employees that have recently given birth to babies and who are breastfeeding. In case certain risks at the workplace are found then it is up to the employer to remove such risks or failing removal of risks the employee must be given leave on health ground which can continue till the time when normal maternity leave begins.

Even fathers are entitled to maternity leave; especially, if the mother were to die within twenty-four weeks of having given birth to her baby. These circumstances qualify fathers to take maternity leave.

Under certain circumstances maternity leave may be postponed especially when the baby has been hospitalized and the employer can, if he sees fit, refuse a mother’s application for maternity leave.

When returning from maternity leave, female employees are entitled to return to the same job and with the same contract terms of employment as were applicable prior to going on maternity leave. However, when circumstances arise that make it impossible for the employer to permit employees to return to their previous job then it is up to the employer to find suitable and alternative employment for the returning female worker and the new employment must not be any less than the previously held job.

Buying maternity clothes is not difficult given the fact that there are thousands of outlets selling such type of clothes and many of the offerings are very fashionable and so, have a greater appeal.

Once a pregnant mother has successfully given birth to their baby they can then think about returning to work though it is necessary that they give written notice to the employer of when they will be returning to work after having been away on maternity leave.