Page 13 - Comerford Employee Handbook 2018 v.1

AUTHORISED LEAVE/TIME OFF FROM WORK

A) MATERNITY LEAVE

All female employees are entitled to a continuous period of 26 weeks of maternity leave
from work, together with 16 weeks additional maternity, which is taken before and after the
birth of their child. During maternity leave, all employment rights are maintained, with the
exception of remuneration. The employee will continue to accrue annual leave and public
holiday entitlement during this period. In order to ensure all necessary health and safety
provisions can be made, employees should notify the company in writing as soon as
pregnancy is confirmed.

Under the Maternity Protection Act, the employee must take a minimum of two weeks of the
leave before the end of the week of the baby's expected birth and at least four weeks after.

At least 4 weeks before the intended commencement date of maternity leave (or as soon as
possible if the employee is unable to give the four weeks’ notice due to medical reasons),
the employee must notify her manager in writing of her intention to take maternity leave,
stating when the leave is due to begin and whether she intends taking the additional 16
weeks leave. This notice should be accompanied by the appropriate medical certificate and
confirmation of the due date.

Employees on the 26 week period of maternity leave may qualify for maternity benefit, which
is paid by the Department of Social Protection, subject to the meeting the criteria relating to
PRSI contributions. There is no payment entitlement for the optional additional 16 weeks of
the leave. Employees are required to make an application for maternity benefit directly to
the Department of Social Protection.

An employee must give the company at least 4 weeks’ notice of her intention to return to
work, stating the planned date of return. An employee is entitled to return to her usual job
so far as it is reasonably practical. However, if this is not possible the employee will be
offered suitable alternative work.

Fathers are entitled to maternity leave in the unfortunate event of the death of the mother
within 40 weeks of the birth. In these circumstances, the father should contact his manager
for further information regarding this provision.

B) ANTENATAL AND POSTNATAL CARE

Once an employee’s pregnancy is confirmed, she may take reasonable time off for medical
visits connected with the pregnancy. Employees are required to provide medical evidence
confirming the pregnancy, giving two weeks’ notice of medical visits. Time may also be
taken for medical visits after the birth for up to 14 weeks following the birth. Employees are
requested to make appointments for the beginning or end of the working day, where
possible.

C) ANTENATAL CLASSES

Employees are entitled to take paid time off to attend antenatal classes. An expectant
mother has an entitlement to attend one set of ante-natal classes, except for the last 3
classes of the set. Expectant fathers are entitled to paid time off to attend the last 2 classes
in the set of antenatal classes, which the expectant mother is attending. The father’s
entitlement is provided on a once off basis, in relation to one birth only.

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