Quick Question About ML..

[LizJessie]

Ok, it's a bit of a silly question (and probably obvious to everyone else but me! ) but I do have a question I have to ask about maternity leave.

My employer, Burswood Entertainment Complex, has a maternity leave policy that if you have worked there 12 months, then your entitled to 52wks maternity leave. If you Google Burswood International Resort Casino Employees Award 2002, you'll find the whole contract.
The part that I don't get is this :

(2) Period of Leave and Commencement of Leave:

(a) Subject to sub-clauses (3) and (6) of this clause, the period of parental leave shall be for an unbroken period of up to 52 weeks and shall, in the case of maternity leave, include a period of 6 weeks? compulsory leave to be taken immediately before the presumed date of confinement and a period of 6 weeks? compulsory leave to be taken immediately following confinement unless, in the case of the period before the presumed date of confinement, a medical practitioner has certified that the employee is fit to work.

Now, I was told by my bosses that these two lots of 6 weeks are paid, and the rest isn't - but then I was told that NONE of it was paid.
What I'm wondering about is, I've been at Burswood itself for 16 months, but in the current position after transferring for only 9 months. The two questions are :
1) Do you think I'd get paid for the 2 lots of 6wks?
2) Do you think I'm still technically entitled to the whole 52wks maternity leave even though I've only been in the current position 9 months?

I've already had the ML approved at work, but I can't help but feel that there gonna try and do SOMETHING bout not keeping me there

[MamaPan]

My view is that you would be entitled if you have been a perm emplyee of the company for 12 months or more, even in different roles. I am not sure how it woudl work if you had been casual or something like that beforehand.
I think you will get 12 weeks paid leave and then the rest unpaid. My work is the same...
Hope that helps - can you speak to HR for some clarity?

Most companies say you have to take 6 wks before the EDD and 6 week after (minumum) but you can usually get a letter from your dr to say you are ok to work a bit later than that if you are complication free. i think you have to stay off work for 6 wks after you have the baby (and you would prob want to anyway LOL!)

[Nai]

If you have been a permanent employee with the company for 12 months then you are entitled to the 52 weeks leave, regardless of how long you have been in your current position as it is service witht he company that is what is counted.

There is nothing stated in the policy about any of the leave being paid so you need to clarify that with HR. The 6 weeks post birth is a legislative requirement ie. you cannot return to work until you have been cleared by a Dr which is done at the 6 week check.

In most cases you are bale to take your leave and any paid annual leave you are entitled to at the same time so you take your paid annual leave first, then access any paid or unpaid maternity leave.

[LizJessie]

Thanks ladies - For some reason I was told that it was paid, then I was told it wasn't paid - It's just so confusing!
I think, instead of seeing my department bosses, I'll talk to HR and ask - There's no harm in it anyway