thanks everyone.

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.