I might check more on the Industrial Relations website.. I'm really big on industrial relations as I have been unfairly dismissed before, and while I doubt my current boss would do that, I just need to know what all the rules are so i know what the law entitles me to.
They have told me they will not allow me to take more than 12 months off fullstop - so even if I take annnual leave then take maternity leave, the total time can only be 12 months maximum. I have no idea if I come under an award, and I'm not a member of any union. I wasnt even given the option of joining a union when I started working there, and its not something I had thought about really.. I think our HR people are now in Perth. Will have to call and ask them.
I was just really irked as I told our Managing Director I am pregnant when I was about 12 weeks, and he said we couild work out something where I can work from home or part time, and now he says there are no positions available for me to do that. I will definately try and speak to him about part time again though. I dont get paid mat leave so there should be no big deal with me working casual for someone else while on leave, as long as I dont go and work for a competitor or something..
Childcare waiting lists are absolutely ridiculous in sydney. One that I put my name down for told me I;d be lucky to get a spot by this time next year, and that was with me saying "just give me whatever you can - doesnt matter what days" so thats what my main worry is... That I wont get a spot and will lose my job..
I need to give 10 weeks notice that I intend on taking leave - so I need to do that soon... like in the next week or 2! My boss is overseas but I'm sure there is someone else I can give my leave letter to.
I think its just all too hard for them - my boss didnt even know what I was allowed to have as mat leave and took over a month to get back to me about it. Apparently I'm the first to get pregnant so theyve never done the mat leave thing there which i think is what is making it hard for them in a way. Theyve got no clue.
So what I think I'll do now is just take the leave and not tell them when to expect me back, then make a decision while on leave.
Karina, I agree that it is best to keep your options open. I am also sure that under current IR laws every employee has the right to return to work part-time after maternity leave for at least a year. This would be worth checking.
With regards to child care, I reluctantly returned to work when DS#1 was 7 months. He took to child care really well and I have since decided (after wathcing numerous other children start at the day care centre) that most kids adjust better if they start before 12 months of age. Just something to consider. HTH. Good luck!!
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