Taking Extra Time Off

[poppysmumma]

hi there, just wondering if anyone can help. I started maternity leave in May 2009, i took 12 months off, 6 of those were paid at part time wages (i was a full time employee though, but i had the choice of how i wanted my leave paid to me). In May 2010 i took another years leave without having returned to work, as i was then pregnant again with my second child, however this second year was unpaid. I took this 2nd year as the law is that you can take 2 years leave for the one child now. My 2nd year of leave finishes in May 2011, and i am wondering if i the law allows me to extend my leave by at least another 3 to 6 months? I really dont feel ready to leave my babies in care yet, but am sure that by the end of the year i will be ready to return to work.
Hope that isnt too confusing!
Thanks for your help everyone

[youngmumof3wa]

I am not sure about where you work and everywhere is covered by different laws. I too was parttime and took a year off I was paid at half pay to make the paid leave longer. How ever the laws that covered my positon said that I was only allowed 52 weeks off, that could be made up of the paid and unpaid, but only 52 weeks.

You would need to check out what your jobs policy is and what state you are in, to see what rules have to be followed.

[katieinwa]

i think 12 months maternity leave is what the it is regarding the law?

i work for a govt dept, i can have 12 months mat leave, plus unpaid parental leave but i believe i have up to 2 years to resume back to my normal duties, as per work contract.

so i would say, as pp mentioned, check your workplace agreement

[Feathers]

Legally in Australia you are entitled to 12 months maternity leave (according to Federal regulations 52 weeks).


Some employers do allow longer, mine is one of them But you would need to contact your employer to find out the finer details. As the others said, check out your Workplace Agreement.