Home Sexual Harassment Discrimination Maternity Issues Equal Pay

PREGNANT & WORKING Being pregnant is an exciting time! It is also a time of many changes in you and your life, including your work. What most young pregnant women who are working, don't know is that they are entitled to Maternity Leave, this also includes casual workers. What is Maternity Leave?   Maternity Leave means that if you have been working full time, part time or as a casual for 12 months or over, for the same employer, you are entitled to 52 weeks off, with the right to return to your former position. If you feel that your health and your baby's health is in danger it is your responsibility to apply for Maternity Leave otherwise it will not be granted. So if you need it ,apply for it!!!! Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave arrangements vary from place to place, most women are entitled to either paid or unpaid maternity leave, or a mixture of both. Some places have Paternity Leave which allows partners to take leave for the birth of the baby or for sometime after this. Ask your employer what Maternity Leave arrangements you are entitled to. If your employer says none and you have been working over a year for that person then.... YOU CAN TAKE ACTION!!!!!!!! by notifying your union, or by joining up and becoming a union member. YOUR RIGHTS While you are pregnant you can not be- told that you can not work because your pregnant ( unless your nearly due!) sacked or made to resign because you are pregnant. harrassed or discriminated against because you are pregnant denied training, promotion or any other benefit of employment because your are pregnant demoted or not considered for promotion (especially if you really deserve it!) made to change your shifts or time table because you are pregnant purposely left out from decision making or future planning because you are pregnant In S.A under the Equal Opportunity Act, discrimination because you are pregnant is unlawful!!! So if you experience any of your rights being denied, YOU CAN do something about it. Do not allow yourself to be discriminated against simply because you are pregnant. THESE RIGHTS ALSO STAND FOR ALL WOMEN YOUNG OR OLD WHO ARE NOT PREGNANT BUT MAY BECOME PREGNANT!