Download Support for Pregnancy

Support for Pregnancy & Maternity
(for staff in Australia)
Division of Human Resources Fact Sheet
I am planning to have a
baby, are there any factors in
the workplace that can
impact adversely on
pregnancy?
The University has strict protocols in place to ensure that appropriate health
and safety standards are met in all workplaces. Most work areas in the
University do not include features that could pose a risk to pregnancy.
How do I find out about any
potential hazards in my
workplace that could pose a
risk to pregnancy?
Information on potential risks to pregnancy or breastfeeding associated with
a specific work environment should be included in the normal flow of OH&S
information required by law. You may also wish to discuss any potential risk
to you or your baby from working in your current position with your medical
practitioner.
What should I do if I work in
an area with potential
hazards during pregnancy?
If you are working in a higher risk area or a position where it is not safe for
you to do your usual job, inform your manager as soon as possible when you
are planning a family so that appropriate risk management measures can be
put in place. If your medical practitioner is of the opinion that working in your
current position poses a risk to you or your baby, your supervisor will arrange
for an OH&S assessment to be undertaken.
The most common hazards in the workplace that can affect pregnancy are
hazardous chemicals, infectious biological carrying agents, radiation,
excessive heat, heavy lifting and standing for long periods. Staff members
who work in laboratories, health care, childcare, animal care and dealing with
human and animal products may have a higher risk of exposure to some of
these hazards.
Some risks can be managed adequately through changing work practices or
temporarily modifying duties. Alternatively, you may need to be transferred
to a safer work area for the course of the pregnancy (and beyond if
breastfeeding). Finally, if no suitable measure can be identified, you are
entitled to paid ‘no safe job leave’ for as long as a medical practitioner
certifies is necessary to avoid exposure to the risk.
Will my entitlements and
salary be affected if I am
transferred to another
position during pregnancy?
If you are transferred for OH&S reasons, the position to which you are
transferred will be as close as possible in status to your substantive position
and without loss of salary. You will retain all your normal entitlements.
What sort of leave can I take
while having treatment as
part of an IVF program?
Clinical visits can be covered by personal leave with the normal requirements
attached to such leave.
What leave can I use for
prenatal checkups?
Generally you would use personal leave or flexitime to attend prenatal
appointments.
What happens if I have
difficulty performing my
normal duties during
pregnancy or I am not well
enough to continue working?
There are several options that may be available to you to vary your work
situation during pregnancy and you will need to discuss which option might
work best with your supervisor. These include:
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rearranging your duties or hours;
introducing short rest breaks into your work schedule;
applying to work on a part-time basis for the duration of your
pregnancy;
using your annual leave or long service leave; or
commencing on maternity leave up to 6 weeks before the expected
date of birth of your child.
In the event of any discrepancy between this fact sheet and the Enterprise Agreement or Leave manual, the terms of the Agreement or
Leave Manual will prevail.
Last reviewed: April 2016
Asset ID # 704458
Support for Pregnancy & Maternity
(for staff in Australia)
Division of Human Resources Fact Sheet
If you produce a medical certificate verifying that you are medically unfit to
work, you may also:


use accrued personal leave; or
take unpaid leave.
If I convert to part-time
employment during my
pregnancy, how will my paid
parental leave be calculated?
If you have only converted to part-time hours for reasons related to your
pregnancy and you are entitled to paid parental leave, you will be paid the
parental leave entitlement for your full-time position.
What happens if my
pregnancy is unsuccessful?
If you have a miscarriage, you may take up to 2 weeks’ special leave and/or
accrued personal leave or unpaid leave. In the case of a still birth, you may
elect to continue on paid maternity leave (if eligible) or special leave, and/or
use accrued personal leave. You will need to provide a medical certificate
before accessing leave.
If however you have returned from a previous period of parental leave at a
reduced fraction, the payment for parental leave for the subsequent period
will be based on an average service fraction for the 12 months preceding the
subsequent period of parental leave.
This can be a distressing time and you may need to access additional forms
of leave to allow more time before returning to the workplace. The University
also has an Employee Assistance Program which offers private, confidential,
professional counselling.
What leave can I use when I
have my baby?
If you have 40 weeks of service you are entitled to 6 weeks’ paid maternity
leave as well as 20 weeks’ primary carer leave, as long as you will be the
primary carer for your baby. You can take this leave on a full-time or parttime (i.e. 12 weeks and 40 weeks) basis. You are also able to take unpaid
parental leave up until your child’s second birthday or return to work at a
reduced fraction until that time.
If you have less than 40 weeks’ service you can access unpaid leave before
the birth of your child and up to 2 weeks’ paid special leave from the date of
birth. You can then go onto unpaid parental leave.
See the Parental Leave Fact sheet for more information on conditions and
how to apply for paid and unpaid parental leave.
How soon before I give birth
must I stop work?
There are no set times for maternity leave. You can work up until the date of
birth (you may be requested to provide a medical certificate stating you are fit
for work). Alternatively, you may choose to start maternity leave up to 6
weeks before the birth of your child. If you wish to take leave before this you
can apply to take annual leave, long service leave, or unpaid leave.
What happens if I give birth
prematurely?
If you give birth prematurely you will be deemed to be on maternity leave
from the first working day after your baby is born. You may need to review
your parental leave and return to work arrangements to take account of the
actual date of birth.
What information I am
required to provide once I
have given birth?
You must notify the University of your child’s actual date of birth within two
weeks of giving birth. Before your intended return date, you should also
provide confirmation to your supervisor of your agreed return to work
arrangements.
In the event of any discrepancy between this fact sheet and the Enterprise Agreement or Leave manual, the terms of the Agreement or
Leave Manual will prevail.
Last reviewed: April 2016
Asset ID # 704458
Support for Pregnancy & Maternity
(for staff in Australia)
Division of Human Resources Fact Sheet
What can I do if I find I am
not ready to return by the
agreed date or I want to
change my work
arrangements?
You may apply to vary either the period of leave or your return to work
arrangements by giving at least 4 weeks’ notice in writing. However, the
change will only be approved if it is consistent with any other agreement that
has been entered into with a replacement staff member.
What support is available to
help me balance work and
caring for my child?
Support with breastfeeding at work (see Support for Breastfeeding Fact
Sheet)
Where can I go for additional
information about
conception, pregnancy,
birthing and postnatal care?
The Australian Government provides assistance through the Birth and Baby
Helpline
Flexible work and leave arrangements (see Flexible Work Arrangements
Fact Sheet)
http://www.health.gov.au/pregnancyhelpline
Other sites available include:
http://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/
http://www.thepregnancycentre.com.au/home
http://www.bubhub.com.au/loungepregnancy.php
http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/
Further Details
Charles Sturt University Enterprise Agreement (2013 – 2016)
Leave Manual
In the event of any discrepancy between this fact sheet and the Enterprise Agreement or Leave manual, the terms of the Agreement or
Leave Manual will prevail.
Last reviewed: April 2016
Asset ID # 704458