Page 39 - EQA Employee Handbook

time off from work, without loss of pay to attend the last 2 antenatal classes in a set before the birth.
This is a once off entitlement for fathers in relation to one birth only.
In order to avail of this right a pregnant employee or an expectant father must:

a) notify their Manager in writing, of the location, date and times of each class as soon as
practicable and in any event not later than 2 weeks before the date of the relevant class; and

b) Produce on request an appropriate document indicating the dates and time of the classes or
the date and time of the relevant class.

If you through no fault of your own do not comply with (a) and (b) above, you must, not later than 1
week after the date of the class concerned provide your Manager with evidence of your having
attended the class and indicate the circumstances which caused you not to be able to comply with the
requisite notification. If you are unable to attend one full set of classes (other than the last 3) during
a pregnancy due to circumstances beyond your control, including:
• miscarriage;
• the premature birth of the baby concerned; or
• illness
You are entitled during a subsequent pregnancy to such time off from work without loss of pay, as is
necessary to attend the class.
3.8.2 Time off for antenatal and postnatal care
You are entitled to take paid time off during your normal working hours for medical or related
appointments (defined as appointments for the purpose of an examination or test under the direction
of a registered medical practitioner) and you are also entitled to take paid time off for medical or
related appointments up to 22 weeks after the birth of your child (at least two weeks of your minimum
period of maternity leave of twenty six weeks must be taken before, and four weeks taken after the
birth of your child), although wherever possible you should arrange your appointments at the start or
end of your working day to minimise disruption to the Company.

3.8.3 Qualifying Conditions
In order to avail of paid time off as specified above, you must notify the Company of the appointment
as soon as practicable, and in any event not later than two weeks before the date of the appointment
unless this is not possible through no fault of your own.

You should advise your manager that you will be absent as far in advance of your appointment as
possible and you may be asked to produce your appointment card.

3.8.4 Minimum maternity leave
You are entitled to a 26-week period of minimum maternity leave irrespective of your length of service
or the number of hours you work each week. During this minimum maternity you may be entitled to
Maternity Benefit (MB) from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The Company does not pay
any additional maternity benefit.

3.8.5 Extension of maternity leave
Where your date of confinement occurs after the expected date of confinement (as defined in the
Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993 the minimum period of maternity is extended if necessary by
up to four weeks to ensure that you have four weeks of maternity leave after the birth of your child.

Page 38 of 79