Any HR Experts out there: Annual leave / Paid Maternity Leave at half-pay?

[ScubaGal]

Hi Hubbers

Is anyone working in the HR field able to tell me whether there is anything preventing me (in a legal/HR sense) from taking my employer entitlements (8 weeks annual leave and 5 weeks paid maternity leave from my company) at half pay so that it lasts longer?

I've asked my own HR department the question and the answer was pretty vague...

[TheGooch]

I believe the NES are silent on this so it would really depend on the company's internal policies.

If their policies are also silent, I'd put a request in writing and see what they say.

[TeBe]

I don't believe an employer is under any legal obligation to agree to your request.

Can anyone point to any legislation that sets out that an employer has to pay you at half pay if requested?

[Pumpkin1106]

As pp said I am sure it will be up to company policy as to whether it is allowed or not.

There is no obligation for them to allow it from a legal point of view though I don't think.

[ScubaGal]

Thanks all - a friend on FB just said she was allowed to do it, but only because her company EBA provided for it. Which means as per above replies I'll need to get the company to agree to it, but they aren't obliged.

[Gentoo]

Sorry to hijack, but does anyone know- if you took paid maternity leave at half-pay, would the period count towards long service at a half-rate as well?

[ScubaGal]

possibly this would also be defined in the individual company EBA...

Sorry to hijack, but does anyone know- if you took paid maternity leave at half-pay, would the period count towards long service at a half-rate as well?

[littlelove]

Does your company have an unpaid maternity leave stipulation? For example, my company allows up to 1 year unpaid maternity leave. If that is the case, could you just apply for 26 weeks maternity leave, take the 13 weeks at full pay, but just put half you pay away each week to stretch it out over the 26 weeks? (So 13 weeks paid leave, 13 weeks unpaid leave).
Also, does your company allow you to also claim the govt paid parental leave? (...im not sure if they can stop you from claiming it?) If so, you could take a further 18 weeks off on the govt ppl scheme.

[ScubaGal]

yeah that might have to be the backup option.

I just think it'll be easier to manage if half pay is coming in rather than having to siphon off half of it and try not to spend it...

Does your company have an unpaid maternity leave stipulation? For example, my company allows up to 1 year unpaid maternity leave. If that is the case, could you just apply for 26 weeks maternity leave, take the 13 weeks at full pay, but just put half you pay away each week to stretch it out over the 26 weeks? (So 13 weeks paid leave, 13 weeks unpaid leave).
Also, does your company allow you to also claim the govt paid parental leave? (...im not sure if they can stop you from claiming it?) If so, you could take a further 18 weeks off on the govt ppl scheme.

[littlelove]

yeah that might have to be the backup option.

I just think it'll be easier to manage if half pay is coming in rather than having to siphon off half of it and try not to spend it...

Totally understand, would be much easier!

Hope your work are willing to come to an arrangement for you