The ins-and-outs of maternity leave
When it comes to maternity leave, your entitlements as a mum today are better than ever before. And that means it’s easier to spend more stress-free time preparing for and bonding with your baby.
It can be quite a confusing topic if you’re new to it; you’re not only entitled to maternity leave, but also maternity pay, which is a different thing altogether.
At the moment, all pregnant mums qualify for Statutory Maternity Leave of not less than the eligible period of 60 consecutive days and maternity allowance in respect of the eligible period.
Your maternity leave period may commence anytime within 30 days before your confinement but should not be later than the day immediately following your confinement.
You are qualified for maternity allowance if you have less than 5 surviving children and have been employed for at least 90 days in the 4 months immediately before your confinement.
If you are employed on a monthly pay rate, maternity allowance is based on your monthly wages. Otherwise the maternity allowance is the ordinary rate of pay for one day or RM6 per day whichever is higher for 60 consecutive days.
Maternity allowance shall be paid in the same manner as if such allowance is wage and is payable not later than the 7th day after the last day of any wage period.
You won't entitled to rest day and paid sick leave benefits during maternity leave.
Why it's good to use your maternity leave
Remember maternity leave gives you the chance to recover from your pregnancy and childbirth. It also gives you invaluable time to bond with your baby and learn how to look after them in a safe and loving environment. Those first few days, weeks or months you spend with your new baby are truly precious so take advantage of the time you’re allowed to take and don’t miss out on them.
How does maternity leave affect your other employment benefits?
When you are on maternity leave you are still eligible for any benefits you'd usually get if you were working as normal. That includes things like payments into a pension and private healthcare. Even your annual holiday should mount up as usual. So don’t be distracted from spending time with your baby worrying about what you might be losing out on. Just enjoy the time you have!
Working in a safe environment during pregnancy
Your employer has a legal requirement to make sure you work in a safe environment when you're pregnant and breast-feeding. They must carry out a risk assessment on your role and ensure that you do not have to work with hazardous chemicals, lift heavy loads, work in extreme temperatures, work long hours or stand for long periods of time.
If your employer can't make your work conditions suitable they have to give you time off on full pay, no matter how long you've been working there. Don’t feel pressured into taking risks or working in an unsafe environment – your baby and your health is what matters most.