Maternity leave entitlements differ from country to country, so it is best to check your entitlements with your employer—these should be outlined in your contract. Employers may have their own maternity leave scheme, which could be more generous than the statutory scheme. Some information on basic international entitlements is outlined in this section.
United Kingdom
Check your employment contract or staff handbook for details or ask your employer—your employer can’t offer you less than your statutory rights.
As an employee you have the right to 26 weeks of paid Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave, making one year in total. The combined 52 weeks is known as Statutory Maternity Leave.
To qualify for Statutory Maternity Leave you must be an employee. If you are an employee and you give your employer the correct notice, you can take Statutory Maternity Leave no matter:
- how long you have been with your employer
- how many hours you work
- how much you are paid.
If you don’t qualify for Statutory Maternity Leave, speak to your employer. They may offer enhanced maternity rights that you are entitled to.
If you are a worker, your employer may allow you to take unpaid leave. Alternatively, you could consider taking paid holiday, unpaid leave or parental leave. You may still be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay.
For more information, visit the website of the UK Government: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm.
Australia
Under the National Employment Standards in the Fair Work Act 2009, if you have been employed by your employer for 12 months or more prior to the birth or adoption of your child, you may be entitled to access up to 12 months unpaid parental leave associated with the birth or adoption of your child. You can also request an additional 12 months unpaid leave on top of this.
Parental Leave Pay
Parental Leave Pay is available to working parents who meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible working parents can get up to 18 weeks of government funded Parental Leave Pay at the rate of the National Minimum Wage.
You may be eligible for Parental Leave Pay if you:
- are the primary carer of a newborn or recently adopted child, usually the mother
- are an Australian resident
- have met the Paid Parental Leave work test before the birth or adoption occurs
- have received an individual adjusted taxable income of $150,000 or less in the financial year prior to the date of birth, adoption or date of claim, whichever is earlier, and
- are on leave or not working from the time you become the child’s primary carer until the end of your Paid Parental Leave period.
If your employer currently provides paid maternity or parental leave through an industrial agreement, they cannot withdraw the entitlement for the life of that agreement.
More information and eligibility criteria for paid parental leave is available from the Australian Government Department of Human Services website: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/having-a-baby