[Nervy]

Hi Ladies,

I was wondering if anyone has recently given their employer a letter to advise they are pregnant and wish to take their companies paid leave as well as the government paid parental leave?

I have googled but can't seem to find anything?

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

[JoMarch]

I have recently applied for the government paid parental leave & my works paid maternity leave. You are entitled to both. You apply for the government paid parental leave online (centrelink) and there is a (huge) booklet to fill out once bub is born (hospital will fill out their bit & give it to you with babys paperwork). It is time consuming. Hope this helps.

[cira]

Why do you need a letter? Do you have an HR dept? At my work we had forms to fill out in regards to leave and return-to-work plans but I spoke to my work team in person before going to HR.

[futureself]

I simply filled out my Workplace HR form advising dates etc of Parental leave and whether I wanted to take the company parental leave pay at 6 months fulltime or halftime rate.

Then, when I filled out the Government Paid parental leave form (or web form in my case), it asks for all your employer details and once you've been approved for the government PPL, they contact your workplace for you and advise them of the approval and the dates the money will go through to them etc. You don't have to talk to your workplace about the Govt PPL at all.

[frizzle]

I spoke to my manager and then my HR person. I then emailed HR and cc'd the boss and just said as discussed I am pregnant, I wish to start leave on x date and anticipate a return date of x.

[Mousky]

I originally wrote a letter stating my last day of work, my EDC and my expected date of return. I included a certificate of confinement. I was then given a form to fill out. You will definitely need a certificate of confinement (stating you are pregnant and your expected due date) from your doc.

The centre link one, I am not looking forward to.

[WithSprinkles]

Check with your organisations HR department what needs to be included in the letter once you announce your pregnancy.

I did two letters as my workplace required a statutory declaration in order for me to claim their paid maternity leave (after that period of leave finished, I began the 18 weeks government leave - which you start applying for online before the birth of your child through the centrelink website). I just requested that my government paid leave began when my workplace paid leave ended.

i was required to submit these letters/forms at least 6 weeks before my intended date of leave (and include a letter from my obstetrician/hospital/doctor confirming my pregnancy and EDD).

Here are the two letters I wrote (and I was also required to fill in a form that was given to me by the HR department):

27 January 2011
To whom it may concern,

Please accept this letter as formal notification of my plan to commence maternity leave from Xx 2012, with an anticipated return date of Xx 2013. I have attached a letter from my obstetrician confirming my pregnancy and expected date of delivery.
Please also find attached my Parental Absence form and a statutory declaration stating any period of partner leave sought.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,

Xx


Maternity Leave Statutory Declaration

I, Xx do solemnly and sincerely declare:
1. I am pregnant and have applied for Maternity Leave for the period from Xx to
Xx. My baby is due on Xx;
2. Throughout the period of my Maternity Leave I will be the baby’s primary care-giver;
3. For the period of my Maternity Leave I will not engage in any conduct which is contrary to my contract of employment;
4. My husband has sought to take three weeks annual leave. He will not be taking any paternity leave.
I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by
virtue of the provisions of the Oaths Act.

___________________________ date: ______________
Xx

Witnessed by:
___________________________ date: ______________
Xxx

ETA: Just to clarify, I did not have to speak to my workplace about the government paid maternity leave at all, only my workplace maternity leave. You are entitled to both. Once you fill in the online forms, centrelink will sort out the payment of the government paid maternity leave for you (and as PP stated you also must fill out a form that they give you at the hospital when your child is born).

This post has been edited by VanillaIcecream: 13/11/2012, 09:50 AM

[LovenFire]

Op, just be aware that it may be better for you to have the government paid parental leave kick in after your work pays you out your ntitlement.

The paid parental leave, and thr money your employer pays you are both taxable, so if you get both handouts together, your income may appear to be higher than it actually is, resulting in you getting taxed at a higher rate.

[Nervy]

Thank you so much ladies, this has been most helpful! Cant thank you all enough!!

[Nervy]

Thank you so much ladies, this has been most helpful! Cant thank you all enough!!

Thank you so much ladies, this has been most helpful! Cant thank you all enough!!