BLBG as far as Im aware you are only entitled to mat leave if you are ongoing and have worked 26 weeks in 52 preceeding the date you are taking leave from... I would imagine that if you are on a contract that you will not qualify unfortunately.
If you are a union member call them and get some advice but also be aware that if there is a position in the school next year, and because you have been on contract there for 3+ years they do hae to offer you ongoing (unless it is covering another family leave application etc..)
Good luck with it.
Thanks TANSTAR.
I'm aware that if there is an ongoing position, - it must be offered to me, and I have spoken with my prin many times about this this year, - as I'm tired of being contract, and have been there coming up 4 years!
I'm wondering though, - if something happens and I start showing before the ongoing position is offered to me/ staffing for 2009 is finalised, - will this ruin my opportunity of getting the ongoing?
I guess I need to call the union and ask them to find out my rights.
I won't be telling my prin I'm preg, but if this all takes a while and I'm showing, I'm just wondering if she still HAS to offer me the position?
All of the other contract teachers at school have only been there 2 years, - so I'm the one that the onngoing must be offered to under the new agreement....
She would definately have to still offer you the ongoing position even if she finds out that you are pregnant... whether she does or not is a different issue and unfortunately there are loopholes for prins who don't want to do so. They can claim declining numbers (obviously has to be backed up) family leave, and a few others that I can't remember off the top of my head. If you are a member definately call the AEU and see what they say, they are really helpful and will give you a few scenarios. If she has said so far that you are going to get the ongoing position, then changes her mind if she finds out you are pregnant.. well there are serious implications for her if you decide to take it further with the union...I hope that helps - good luck.
BLBG just wanted to confirm what Tanstar said you do need to have worked 26 weeks directly before you take mat leave in an ongoing position to be entitled to paid mat leave. that does include term holidays not just working weeks so you would have to work it out. i am guessing the ongoing position is for 2009 so i guess it would depend on if you would actually be able to work 26 weeks next year? when is your EDD?
and yes i would recomend the union to give some advice however they can get it wrong sometimes which is what happened to me this year.
I'm pretty sure the term holidays are included because I just went back at the beginning of this year and am taking my leave as of the 22nd August and I just qualify for mat leave again. I wonder if converted to ongoing that the previous 26 worked at the school on contract would count? AEU will definately be able to answer that as the website that talks about the 26 just says consecutive weeks... Ugh it's all so complicated. Stupid contracts should be made obsolete.
Ooooh I'm feeling so worried now that by the time I'm made ongoing, that I won't have had the ongoing position for 26 weeks! Arggggh! This is all really stressing me!
Surely if I'm simply moving from my 3yr contract into ongoing, - they would take that into account......???. Here's hoping!
I'll call the union next week, - have an excursion all day Monday, so hopefully Tuesday. Anyone know what time they're open until? It doesn't say on the AEU Vic website...
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Thats great MrsMac! Heehee!
Here's hoping!
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