Its about time

[SamiH]

I totally agree and when I talk to my other mat leave friends in the past, I am often embarrassed cos I have been lucky enough to be paid 12 weeks full pay (or 24 weeks half pay) for both my babies, I am employed by the Australian Public Service.

I have also been able to return to work flexibly, work part-time hours to suit our family - and sometimes people wonder why I stay there. My organisation has been so good to me and I work hard at doing the best I can during my 29 hours per week at the moment.

I can't imagine how we would have coped without the 12 weeks paid, I am sure we would of course, but it yes definitely made it easier - I stayed home with both my bubs until 10 months - then went back to work 2-3 days per week and gradually increased with what I was comfortable with Lucky, I know

[fionas]

Other countries have paid maternity/paternity leave. Other countries have small businesses. Other countries are not filled with a mass of unemployed women of childbearing age. Go figure.

[titti]

paternity leave has same entitlement as maternity leave (unless differently specified by internal agreement). see govmt website re paternity leave.
in most of European country maternity leave is paid at least for 12 weeks (usually 100% salary, then less up to 1 yr of the baby).
in Italy the gvmt does NOT allow you to work past the 7th month of pregnancy, and if the job is hard or the pregnancy at risk, the doc has to issue a certificate for which the pregnant woman will stay at home as "risky pregnancy", fully paid by the gvmt!!!
After the delivery, (in Italy) you are not supposed to go to work. the maternity leave is paid by the government (guess what, less trouble to find a spot in childcare!). By law you are entitled to stay with your baba up to his/her 1st birthday (paid of course, even though not 100% of your wages)...
so my mum is wondering why I'm having my babies here, when back at home I'd have her support and the gvmt money to enjoy my baba... simple as it is, my hubby is here and my life is here now...
I have to admit thought that it was hard to work up to the due date and start again the week after she was born (luckily working from home and just for few hrs a week but still difficult). With the next one all different... I will have to have a C delivery, so I will need heaps of rest... hope the bill pass before I will be due...
By the way, IT IS NOT THE EMPLOYER WHO WILL HAVE TO PAY THE LEAVE. that is clear and sure.I agree, they should have a national maternity/paternity leave, since it is not fair that public sector employees enjoy it, while the private sector has to be lucky to keep the job (after my baba was born, my ex boss didn't even congratulate me, no nice card or flowers, just "are you ready with the paperwork, we have due dates"... nice eh?)
love to all