Maternity Leave

Hi ladies

I just want to know how far you were when you took your maternity leave/put onto bed rest?

No No Eve, no playing school sick for you. Atleast another month of work for you lady!!!

I put in for a month before my due date and had the babies 4 days into my leave! But yes I was pretty bushed - and also dialating which I didn't realise. I was so focused on having them in August and starting leave in July that now I have to think carefully everytime I want to remember their birthdays!!!

I think you can only take official ML from 36 weeks Eve, unless you actually deliver before that. I may be wrong though, it is that way here. I was booked off sick from 34 weeks, I worked till 33w4d.

Hi Eve, I was booked of sick from 31w. They were born 9 days later. I think you can go on maternity leave from 36w.

I worked until about two weeks before they were born, I was helping out though and they were real kind to me there and understanding. My actual job I left when I was about three months (no one even knew that I was pregnant yet) I was advised that no benefits would be paid so resigned.

I went off at 31 weeks on advice of my Dr. Had 10 days lazing around and then was hospitalised for 5 days, came home for 4 days and then delivered at 34 weeks. I was fortunate that my company paid me in full for 5 months maternity leave.

wow wendy - I had to take Sick leave when I was booked off at 30 weeks and then I worked from me bed which was tough till 34weeks when I used my annual leave till 36 weeks when I started my ML.

I was very fortunate. My company have looked after me well. I suppose if I really wanted to I could have classified the time before the birth as "sick leave" and taken that as extra - but I felt bad as they have been so good to me. I was off for 6.5 months altogether - took 2 weeks annual leave, 5 months paid from co & claimed 1 month from UIF. I actually can't believe that I have been back at work 6 months already - this time last year I had just gone off. It's amazing how time flies by!

Sjoe, you are lucky Wendy! Ok, I am just asking because we have quite a few projects coming up, and my boss wants to know which projects I am still able to do and which projects he needs to get an assistant in for

I think it depends on you and how your pregnancy progresses and how uncomfortable you are. Take your Dr's advice. My Dr wanted me to stop work at 30 weeks - I pushed it to 31, but was very glad to stop when I did.

BCEA states:

9.1. An Employee is entitled to seventeen (17) consecutive weeks maternity leave, which will commence:

9.1.1. at any time from four (4) weeks before the expected date of birth (unless otherwise agreed between the parties in writing); or

9.1.2. on a date from which a medical practitioner or midwife certifies that it is necessary for the Employee’s health or that of her unborn child.

9.2. The Employee will be required to notify the Employer in writing of a date on which she intends to:

9.2.1. commence maternity leave; and

9.2.2. return to work after the expiry of her maternity leave.

9.2.3. Written notification in terms of this sub-clause must be given at least four (4) weeks before the Employee intends to commence maternity leave or, if it is not reasonably practicable for her to do so, as soon as it is reasonably practicable.

9.3. Employees who are eligible for compensation from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) must claim the maximum allowed portion of their remuneration directly from the UIF for the period of their maternity leave. Depending on how long the employee has been contributing to UIF, this will amount to up to 45% of the Employee’s basic remuneration.

Thanks Sheena!

I agree with Wendy - take leave when you can - don't think we always realise how tired we get.

Hi, agree with the rest, depends on you , how you feel and obviously your pregnancy.
I carried small and comfortable with no complications really.
Was fortunate to work from home from 32 weeks, but at 34,35 weeks i had to go into the office for a 2 week workshop where many overseas collegues came over - i was still fine, but were very strict on myself to arrive only at 9 in the mornings and left at 2 in the afternoons.

Once on official maternity leave (36 weeks) which started 14 days before my ceaser, i volunteered to "stand in" for a colleague during a very critical testing phase, so at the end i actually worked until 2 days before the birth (although i worked from home, at my own pace, in my own comfort and time...)

So it really depends on you.... and you health and capability... chat to your doc as well if you think it is necessary.