You have the option of taking your maternity leave either in one block or spread out over 12 months. You should work out an arrangement with your employer that suits both your needs.
You can plan your leave based on the following considerations:
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Arrangement
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16 weeks |
12 weeks |
By default
Includes non-working days, rest days and public holidays. |
Take the 16 weeks continuously, starting 4 weeks before delivery.
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Take the 12 weeks continuously, starting 4 weeks before delivery.
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By mutual agreement
Includes non-working days, rest days and public holidays. |
Start anytime within 4 weeks before delivery.
Example: If the expected date of delivery is 7 July, you can start your leave between 9 June and 7 July.
You must take the first 8 weeks in one continuous stretch.
You can take the last 8 weeks flexibly over 12 months from your child’s birth.
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Start anytime within 4 weeks before delivery.
Example: If the expected date of delivery is 7 July, you can start your leave between 9 June and 7 July.
You must take the first 8 weeks in one continuous stretch.
You can take the last 4 weeks flexibly over 12 months from your child’s birth.
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Flexible leave calculation
Doesn’t include non-working days, rest days and public holidays. |
8 weeks x the number of working days in the week, capped at 48 working days.
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4 weeks x the number of working days in the week, capped at 24 working days.
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Calculate your maternity leave dates
Calculate your maternity leave dates
Flexible leave example
For a 16-week entitlement, the flexible part of the maternity leave is calculated as follows:
If the employee worked 5 days in a week, the number of maternity leave days that she can take flexibly is:
8 weeks x 5 days = 40 working days
If the employee decides to take 2 days of maternity leave per week, the 40 days of flexible maternity leave will be consumed in 20 weeks:
40 days / 2 maternity leave days per week = 20 weeks
Before taking your leave
Before going on maternity leave:
- You must inform your employer as soon as possible, at least 1 week before starting your leave.
- You should reach an agreement with your employer on how and when you intend to take the leave.
You should inform your employer as early as possible, as this will allow them to better plan for work arrangements.
Arrangements for your flexible leave
You should work out your flexible leave arrangements with your employer.
You can consider including half-day work schemes or shortened 3-day workweeks in your flexible leave.
Your and your employer should also agree on the possible situations that may arise from taking the leave flexibly. For example:
- How your work performance will be assessed.
- Whether you can go back to taking the maternity leave as a continuous block.
- Whether you can bring forward your flexible leave should you resign.