An employee may take maternity leave at any time from four weeks before the expected date of birth and no less than two weeks before the birth, unless otherwise agreed.
An employee may not return to work for 6 weeks after the birth of the child, unless certified by a medical doctor or midwife, advising that she can return to work.
An employee who has a miscarriage during the 3rd trimester or who has a still-born child may have 6 weeks of maternity leave after the miscarriage.
An employee must notify an employer in writing, unless the employee is unable to do so of the date on which the employee intents to:
- Commence maternity leave: and
- Return to work after maternity leave.
- Notification must be given at least four weeks before the employee intends to commence maternity leave, or as soon as it is reasonably practicable.
- Cannot be applied for on ESS, must apply manually by filling in the relevant form and reaching out to Human Resources Payroll Department