does annual leave count?

[happychild]

i'm going to speak to my HR about my maternity leave very soon...and I have a few questions which I hope some of you girls can answer...

Maternity leave is available after 12 months of continues employment at my workplace. i actually started work at my current job on 12 April. My due date is 19 April. Since I will most likely have to take 1-2 weeks off before dd, I was wondering whether i can just save up my annual leave to compensate for any shortfall??? Has anyone else done that and has their workplace let them?!?!

Are they usually really strict? (ie refuse to give me maternity leave cos I'm 1-2 weeks short of my full year atthe workplace?

Any opinions or advice will be great! thanks!

[Sheer Bliss]

Annual Leave *should* count, as it is still continuing your service. So if you took leave from 5th April-19th April, then commenced maternity leave on 20th april - it should all be fine.

I am not sure of the finer details of it all, but they *might* be able to stry and stop it if bubs arrives early, but frankly they would be a55holes if they tried to deny you.

[HappyLittleChappy]

I think it all depends on the company you work for.

I know someone who had the same issue as you're currently having and her work made it a little complicated but it worked out in the end.

After talking with HR and also having a union representative present they agreed to give her 3 weeks of annual leave (which she had accrued) to make up for the 3 weeks short of 12 months she would be.

The issue of a possible early birth came up and she needed to provide a letter from her doctor which stated the babies due date. If it stated a date after the 12month cut off, but her baby arrived early then she was still ok because of this letter.

All organisations are different though so if you aren't sure, go speak to your union or to the industrial relations hotline to discuss it first.

I would advise against signing any form of documentation until you have discussed the conditions your boss has given you with either one of these.

Congratulations on your pregnancy

[cath3boys]

In my workplace (Government), you *must* have 12 months continuous service before you can access our entitlement of paid maternity leave. We are also required to submit a letter before you reach 20 weeks detailing the estimated due date. We also had to provide documentation from 34 weeks onwards to state that you are fit for work. Under the legislation you can commence your maternity leave at 34 weeks. I stayed at work until 38 weeks with DS#1 and DS#2 and 35 weeks with DS#3. This then prevents you from accessing persoanl leave to bridge the gap til the 12 months kicks in. In my job, recreation leave counts as service. The only issue is whether the team leader will approve the leave.

Fingers crossed for you, congratulations and good luck!

[Larski]

Yes annual leave should count - but it depends how strict they are about this as some places dont let you take annual leave until after 12 months of service.