Teachers-when to take leave???

[BLBG]

Hi Tan, - thanks for your reply.

I'm due 26/2/09, and Vic schools Term 1 starts 28/1/09...

I'm hoping my prin might put my mat leave starting 28/1/09, but I kinda doubt it. She's pretty by-the-books....
I guess it's worth asking??? What do you think?

Thanks!

[mrsmac]

In NSW you could easily put the first day back at school as your first day of mat leave but we no longer HAVE to take off 6 weeks before the due date.

[AliBaby]

Try and get your doctor to give you a certificate to say you are fit to work up until 2wks before you are due. Speak to the union as well. They weill be able to help you understand your rights

[caity83]

Hi girls! I am in a similar situation. I am a secondary school teacher in Victoria and bubs is due on February 28th. Here is the info I have for all other Victorian teachers:

A school teacher who is pregnant begins paid leave six weeks prior to the expected date of birth until six week after the actual date of confinement.

If the twelve week period includes any holiday period, the holidays are on paid maternity leave (i.e. you can't double-dip). We know from the calls we receive that quite a bit of planning goes in to the timing of these events!!!

So I have to start my maternity leave on the 19th of December (which is the last day of term 4 in Vic) which is a bit annoying - DEET HRM say that

An employee is permitted to attend for duty during any part of the required absence period if the principal is satisfied that:

**She will be fit for duty for the relevant period (proof of which is to be by medical certificate supplied by the employee), and
**The attendance sought by the employee is at a time employees ordinarily attend for duty at that school.

Where an employee is permitted to attend for duty during part of the required absence period before the birth of the child any paid maternity leave commences from the first day of absence from duty

So not sure if this means I can try and work the 1st day of term 1 and then get paid maternity leave from there if I have a letter from my care provider saying that I am capable to teach up until the 28th Jan which is exactly 4 weeks before bubs is due - I haven't really been much help at all!!

[BLBG]

So not sure if this means I can try and work the 1st day of term 1 and then get paid maternity leave from there if I have a letter from my care provider saying that I am capable to teach up until the 28th Jan which is exactly 4 weeks before bubs is due - I haven't really been much help at all!!

^^ Helloooo, - this is what I'm thiking about trying to do too, - working 1st day or two of term 1 09, as they're student free anyway. Only thing is though, it has to be ok-ed with prin.

[AliBaby]

get a medical certificate from your doctor and you should be fine. Ring someone from your DET for more info and also contact the union. Good luck

[mrsmac]

Its annoying how the different states have different rules isn't it?

[CharlieSuki]

OK I know it's been a while since anyone posted but you all sound like an informative bunch!! I am so confused..... I rang the UNION and the DET plus talk to the school DP and got different info from all......

I am currently in NSW temporary teaching P/T (2days) and am due to have babies (twins) around the 2nd Jan 2011.

My question is..... am I entitled to mat leave? If so how much? how do the summer holidays factor in and what should I do?

(Last year I was teaching temp full time for 2 and half terms)

Please reply with some advice, the above posts are confusing and none really are the same as my situation.

THanks!!

[AliBaby]

I work in NSW state system.

It depends when you signed your contract to the school for the permenant part time. You may be entitled to some Summer holiday leave (prorated for 2 days a week work for the whole year if you have worked the whole year) but the people who know would be the DET payroll system. Dont rely on your Principal to tell you the correct info.

TBH I dont think you will get mat leave if you havent signed a contract for next year as the school hadnt employed you for next year IYKWIM (check the dates on your contract). You would be entitled to the new paid parental leave scheme though.

HTH

What did the DET say?

[mrsmac]

You will get paid 2 days a week in the Christmas holidays but I am pretty sure you won't get mat leave as you are only on a temp for this year.

[Amaunet]

From what I know (which isn't much - just my experience, although I am permanent I was temp for 5 years) You should get your holiday entitlements as usual - pro-rata until you take mat leave. In NSW you have to start your mat leave on your due date - even if its the holidays. I would imagine you are also entitled to pro-rata mat leave pay. That is 14 weeks at your normal 2 days per week. Once your 14 weeks is up you may also find you get paid this rate during the hols until you return to work/12 months. Ring employee services - number on your payslips - I found them really helpful. It shouldnt matter if your temp contract is up, I think they factor in that you couldn't take up a new contract because you are on mat leave.

[butterfly_warrior]

I'm in NSW but was in the private system, so perhaps a little different. I finished on the last day of the school year, but was due mid-January. I was paid for the school holidays and THEN my maternity pay started. As it happened, I had my baby a week later (4 weeks prem) but it made no difference as to how I was paid.

If you're only a temp, I suspect it's holiday pay and nothing else.

BW

[mrsmac]

I would ring leave section, they are usually pretty good, I know they were great when I was having DS and had to leave on sick leave at 28 weeks.

[SallyJ]

I am in the public NSW system, and this is what happens if you are a temp:

you get mat leave IF YOU HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED CONTINUOUSLY FOR 40 WEEKS

But I don't believe you get anything if you have not been continuously employed. (I think you may be eligible even if you are day to day casual).