Sick Leave?

[MatildaMadness]

Hi! I am originally from the States and from what I can remember, people often use some of their sick leave at the beginning of their maternity leave so that they can keep getting normal pay. I have about 25 days of sick leave built up and was curious if that is possible/normal to do here in Australia? I would love to take maybe 2 weeks of sick leave, then 2 weeks of annual leave for my first month off so I can still get my normal payslip. After that I would begin my unpaid maternity leave.

I've seen on another thread that you often need a doctor's certificate stating its ok for you to work after 35 or 37 weeks. If the doctor doesn't want to give this to you, can you take sick leave for those last few weeks?

Thanks for the help!

Sarah

[Amara]

I was not allowed to use my sick leave before my maternity leave cos I was not sick. I worked to 37 weeks and did not have to get a certificate to do so. You will only be able to take sick leave if your doctor gives you a certificate for it. I could barely walk my last week at work and my ob wouldnt give of one as he said I could still work with 'pregnancy feet'.

[zephani]

I think it depends on what you do and what your contract said. I am a teacher and we are able to use sick leave before maternity leave and annual leave either side. I took five weeks of annual leave at the end of my maternity leave. I think it also depends on how long you have been working for your company. Speak to your HR office or your union if you are a member to find out what your rights are.

[MelandBen]

You could use a proportion for personal leave (as the law states that a small percentage of your sick leave can be used for personal leave, such as a case of the blues, or a downer day)

And as far as the rest is concerned, I just rang in sick. My workplace didn't require me to have a doctors note- as it was quiet obvious that I had a reason. But if you do have to, tell your doctor you feel like your morning sickness is back and that you can't go to work.
Most doctors will give you a certificate, I know my OB asked why the hell I still wanted to go to work up to 38 weeks- I did because it was driving me crazy counting the hours whilst at home.

[MatildaMadness]

Thanks everyone! Seems like every workplace will be different. I'm in a fortunate position where I work from home as a regional employee in Brisbane, but my head office is in Sydney, so I never see my manager. It makes it difficult to discuss thing like this since it will be over the phone. I think I might wait until I get closer to the date to discuss with HR since I am not due until August.

Thanks again for all your help! Very good to know there are different circumstances to think about when I do get closer to my leave!

Cheers,

Sarah

[mum2b85]

LADIES LADIES LADIES........... GOD BLESS YOU ALL .. this has solved my Dilema ... I am an accountant mid june to end of july is vry stressfull for us at work ..and i was concerned about baby coming out earlier due to stress as i am due on 16th july .. i have put in leave from the 30th June ... and this means.. if i get too exausted with stressfull long days .. i can be on sick leave and get paid normallly...woohoooo !! heheh!! This is good considering i dnt get any paid maternity lave at all..not companie's policy !

[soozem]

I had about 6 weeks sick leave up my sleeve and I used it all while I was pregnant :-) I am a nurse so work shifts and I am on my feet a lot. I asked to reduce my hours but was told that it would affect my mat pay. So I told my manager I would just take a sick day every week to drop my hours without affecting my leave and he was fine with that. I was meant to finish at 36 weeks but ended up finishing at 33 and using 3 weeks sick leave for back pain and high bp. My ob was more than happy to give me a sick note and was surprised I wanted to work until 36 weeks anyways :laughing:. I figure you don't get paid sick leave unless you take it......and what better excuse than your preggo.