Calculating Maternity Dates

whiteandlight

Is anyone good at calculating maternity entitlements? The end of my leave will run into the mid summer so I assume that might enable me to go out a little earlier? (No harm if it turns out I'm having difficulties)

Moody_mona

You can go once you reach the 24 week mark, so if you're due Feb or March for example, you can maximise your time by going early.

Only problem with going early like that, is that to use your unpaid maternity leave you'd be taking it during the holidays.

Are you primary or post? Circular 0009/2013 might be of relevance to you

whiteandlight

Thanks, having a proper read of that now. I won't be taking the 16 weeks unpaid, we can't afford it.

I have to go out 2 weeks before the due date I believe.

There are 6 bank holidays applicable which I think can be counted?

When do you have to decide by? I would like to stay teaching as long as possible (exam students you know!) but I know I need to be realistic about it as well. There may come a point where a replacement teacher is more capable than me particularly if I end up sick!

TheDriver

Don't think bank holidays count anymore, its the number of weeks straight through

whiteandlight

I knew you can't count the normal school holidays (you used to be able to, up to 30 days) but I though public holidays still applied?

Moody_mona

Bank holidays will only need to be added in the rarest of occasions. You must have a certain number of days holidays every year, but you'll rack that up via midterms and summer holidays, so you're not entitled to any in lieu.

The latest you can go is two weeks before, but you can go earlier so that your maternity finishes on the last day of school.

whiteandlight

Ah ok. Friend went out May 31st and she had bank holidays counted so I just assumed

Moody_mona

She started her maternity on may 31st? Yea, that means technically her "holidays" are not holiday, they are maternity leave, so she is entitled to the bank holidays, to ensure she has the same number of statutory days off as other workers.

Don't forget, there's pregnancy related sick leave which will not affect your sick leave limit and pay.

whiteandlight

Actually sorry shes going out august not May!

Millem

whiteandlight wrote: »

Thanks, having a proper read of that now. I won't be taking the 16 weeks unpaid, we can't afford it.

I have to go out 2 weeks before the due date I believe.

There are 6 bank holidays applicable which I think can be counted?

When do you have to decide by? I would like to stay teaching as long as possible (exam students you know!) but I know I need to be realistic about it as well. There may come a point where a replacement teacher is more capable than me particularly if I end up sick!

You should leave at end of November, your maternity leave starts Monday 1st dec and runs for 26 weeks, so finishes Sunday 31st may. Your summer hols start 1st June and run till end of August. No bank hols are added on anymore or school closures no point taking 16 weeks unpaid as it has to be taken straight after paid maternity leave. If you work it like this you can still correct or superintend as you are back "working" from 1st June. You also get 18 weeks parental leave if you want and could take it end of August till January IF you felt you wanted more time

Millem

Moody_mona wrote: »

She started her maternity on may 31st? Yea, that means technically her "holidays" are not holiday, they are maternity leave, so she is entitled to the bank holidays, to ensure she has the same number of statutory days off as other workers.

Don't forget, there's pregnancy related sick leave which will not affect your sick leave limit and pay.

However if you are out for more than 28 days you will be sent to medmark who will "assess" the situation and decide if it is "pregnancy related"

whiteandlight

I do want to avoid sick leave if possible, thats why I'm trying to count back. I know it can be counted seperately but I was out for 3.5 weeks very ill in January and similar about 2 years ago. If I can use my maternity leave I'd prefer to.

Moody_mona

Millem wrote: »

However if you are out for more than 28 days you will be sent to medmark who will "assess" the situation and decide if it is "pregnancy related"

Absolutely, only mentioned it because OP suggested taking mat leave early if there are difficulties, but that would be covered

Moody_mona

whiteandlight wrote: »

I do want to avoid sick leave if possible, thats why I'm trying to count back. I know it can be counted seperately but I was out for 3.5 weeks very ill in January and similar about 2 years ago. If I can use my maternity leave I'd prefer to.

That's fine, but I'm just going to reiterate that pregnancy related sick leave will not add on to previous days taken, it won't accumulate. No problem taking mat leave early to cover that eventuality of course, that's completely your choice

whiteandlight

Oh I know thanks. Guess I feel less guilty in my head

gaeilgebeo

Moody_mona wrote: »

I'm just going to reiterate that pregnancy related sick leave will not add on to previous days taken, it won't accumulate.

Has there not been huge changes to PRSL?
As far as I know, it is now accumulated and counted.

Moody_mona

From what I remember it doesn't count towards reduced pay, I'll find the circular though to confirm

Yep, section 16 of that circular I referenced earlier 0009/2013

" In the case of a teacher who is approaching her maximum entitlement to paid sick leave under normal rules any period of pregnancy related sick leave may be discounted"

ccazza

Moody_mona wrote: »

That's fine, but I'm just going to reiterate that pregnancy related sick leave will not add on to previous days taken, it won't accumulate. No problem taking mat leave early to cover that eventuality of course, that's completely your choice

Apparently this is not going to be the case from September and maternity sick leave is actually going to be included like normal sick leave. The union let that happen without too much of a fight obviously.

Moody_mona

ccazza wrote: »

Apparently this is not going to be the case from September and maternity sick leave is actually going to be included like normal sick leave. The union let that happen without too much of a fight obviously.

Have you got a link? That circular is only from last year, although it could definitely have been overwritten. Don't see anything on union websites. Thanks

gaeilgebeo

Moody_mona wrote: »

From what I remember it doesn't count towards reduced pay, I'll find the circular though to confirm

Yep, section 16 of that circular I referenced earlier 0009/2013

" In the case of a teacher who is approaching her maximum entitlement to paid sick leave under normal rules any period of pregnancy related sick leave may be discounted"

I will try find the most recent circular but it has definitely changed for the worst.

Moody_mona

Thanks gaeilgebeo, I thought I was fairly certain on that, not not good if it's counted towards total sick leave.

ccazza

I actually read about it on the education posts forum - primary school teachers who had been on to the into about it. Here is the link to the forum: http://forum.educationposts.ie/viewtopic.php?id=81974

Millem

Moody_mona wrote: »

Thanks gaeilgebeo, I thought I was fairly certain on that, not not good if it's counted towards total sick leave.

It didn't used to be counted as of 2013 anyway. I was off with hyperemesis and was sent to medmark, they assessed me and said it was pregnancy related. I recently enquired about getting the income protection with cornmarket and they were very iffey about even giving me an application form because of hyperemesis they said more than likely the underwriter won't give it to me :mad: absolute joke. Moral of the story be careful when taking pregnancy related sick leave

gaeilgebeo

Yes, and worse again, afaik it will be back dated on a rolling 4 years from September 2014.
I was shocked at the lack of protest about this at union meetings.

whiteandlight

Thats a worry for me alright because I've had to the two hospitalisations and time off in the last 2.5 years. Looks like I'll definitely be booking to go as early as possible just in case. I really don't want to end up in trouble with sick leave.

Millem

whiteandlight wrote: »

Thats a worry for me alright because I've had to the two hospitalisations and time off in the last 2.5 years. Looks like I'll definitely be booking to go as early as possible just in case. I really don't want to end up in trouble with sick leave.

Seriously you would be mad not to go at the start of dec.

Moody_mona

Thanks for the clarification, much appreciated. Didn't mean to misinform earlier.

whiteandlight

I suppose. But the exam students.... Though I suppose getting the change of teacher over with just before the Christmas exams and being ready to get going straight away in January might be a good thing

Millem

whiteandlight wrote: »

I suppose. But the exam students.... Though I suppose getting the change of teacher over with just before the Christmas exams and being ready to get going straight away in January might be a good thing

Sorry now but you need to think of yourself. You should be relaxing in the time up to the birth. The run up to Christmas is a hectic time for everyone.The students will be grand. Life goes on. I think that a lot of us teachers (myself included) think that if we are not there the students won't do aswell. I actually considered going into school after Easter to help my 3 rd years get ready for practical exams while I was on maternity leave. Thankfully someone talked sense into me!

whiteandlight

True enough. Its a weird change though!!

TheDriver

I didn't know about the change to PRSL either, very serious consequences. Unfortunately like everything, it was probably being abused. Most I have seen used it as it was meant but some took the mick. One lady even took me to task when I would ask for the appointment letter for the file (don't care if people need to go as its their right but paperwork is paperwork.........until of course it transpired that she only had a blood test at 8am........

About the exam class, please please please forget about it. That's what subs etc are for. I have seen plenty of teachers worried about their classes, worried about what they will be like next year. Relax, teach them when you are there and they will be taught when your gone. Your baby needs you relaxed and focused on them and not your job when you're off.

We will all be replaced if we disappeared in the morning and forgotten about in a year.......

whiteandlight

Actually TUI responded with this

"You are entitled to 26 weeks maternity leave, which much begin at a minimum of two weeks prior to the due date. You can commence maternity leave no earlier than four weeks prior to the due date. You will need to submit your forms at least six weeks before starting maternity leave."

Meaning that I'm not allowed go until January and if anything happens I'll have more sick leave

Millem

whiteandlight wrote: »

Actually TUI responded with this

"You are entitled to 26 weeks maternity leave, which much begin at a minimum of two weeks prior to the due date. You can commence maternity leave no earlier than four weeks prior to the due date. You will need to submit your forms at least six weeks before starting maternity leave."

Meaning that I'm not allowed go until January and if anything happens I'll have more sick leave

Please check with the dept not tui. Tui told me I was allowed to add on bank hols. If I had listened to them I would of had to come back at end of May. Thankfully I checked with dept. 3 of us were due January 2014 and we all left on the same date in dec. I rang dept and emailed (so I had it in writing).

rainbowtrout

whiteandlight wrote: »

Actually TUI responded with this

"You are entitled to 26 weeks maternity leave, which much begin at a minimum of two weeks prior to the due date. You can commence maternity leave no earlier than four weeks prior to the due date. You will need to submit your forms at least six weeks before starting maternity leave."

Meaning that I'm not allowed go until January and if anything happens I'll have more sick leave

When did that change??? My understanding is that you are allowed go up to 4 months before due date which was said earlier in the thread (at 24 weeks). You have to give your employer at least 4 weeks notice.

My god, TUI are fcuking useless. This is from their own FAQs on Maternity Leave from their website:

When can I take the leave?
Maternity leave will ordinarily begin on such day as the pregnant teacher selects, unless medically certified that the leave should commence on a particular date. However, the commencement date must be no earlier than 22 weeks and no less than 2 weeks before the end of the week of the baby’s expected birth.

Which would back up the fact that a teacher I work with had a baby last April and went on maternity in December.

An employee who intends going on maternity leave should submit, through the management authority of her school, a medical certificate confirming pregnancy and stating the expected week of confinement. The certificate must be submitted 4 weeks before she intends to go on maternity leave. A minimum period of maternity leave must be taken, beginning not later than two weeks before the end of the expected week of confinement, and ending not earlier than four weeks after the end of the expected week of confinement.

Moody_mona

I'd say that's most likely a typo in the email, it should say 24 weeks.

Millem

Moody_mona wrote: »

I'd say that's most likely a typo in the email, it should say 24 weeks.

Ring the dept for clarification tui are clueless sometimes

whiteandlight

They got back to me when I queried to say actually that was the previous circular, I can go in December. Still going to get onto the department just in case

solerina

whiteandlight wrote: »

They got back to me when I queried to say actually that was the previous circular, I can go in December. Still going to get onto the department just in case

After reading this with interest I got out the ASTI diary and it says you can go at 24 weeks so I def think 4 weeks is a typo...its a disgrace that none of the 3 unions have fully informed their members about this significant change to sick leave entitlements in relation to pregnancy, esp if its to be backdated !!

Millem

solerina wrote: »

After reading this with interest I got out the ASTI diary and it says you can go at 24 weeks so I def think 4 weeks is a typo...its a disgrace that none of the 3 unions have fully informed their members about this significant change to sick leave entitlements in relation to pregnancy, esp if its to be backdated !!

What is this new rule on pregnancy related sick leave? Is it in from January 2014?