Maternity leave - letters 4 the employer?
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18500
Printed Date: 21 August 2025 at 7:11pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Maternity leave - letters 4 the employer?
Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Subject: Maternity leave - letters 4 the employer?
Date Posted: 23 June 2008 at 5:15pm
|
Hi :)
Does anybody know of templates for these letters online? Also, is anyone else considering taking paid holiday leave before maternity leave? Cheers  -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Replies:
Posted By: mandz
Date Posted: 23 June 2008 at 5:19pm
|
Hi Flake
There are templates on the IRD website, that is what I used. Also re the holiday leave, I didn't take any but got it paid out when I went on Maternity Leave, otherwise you still accrue leave while you are away but at zero value, so that when you return you have heaps of days, but they are worth less than normal...hope that makes sense. Cheers Amanda ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Zack Robert Henton - 29th December 2009 |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 23 June 2008 at 5:25pm
|
Hi Flake. I second checking out IRD website for letters. I took 8 weeks annual leave before my maternity leave, discussed getting it paid as a lump sum instead but they would have taxed me more then I would have had to claim it back. I accrued annual leave while away but from what I understand it's only paid out at the value you're being paid when you got back, i.e. if you don't go back the value is $0, if you go back fulltime your annual leave is paid at the full value. I went back to work fulltime and once I got back I had several days owing and used up one day per week until they'd run out (so essentially I was working 4 days and being paid for 5). -------------  
|
Posted By: VannesaD
Date Posted: 23 June 2008 at 7:46pm
|
HI Flake
There are definitely templates on the Department of Labour site - see below: http://www.ers.govt.nz/parentalleave/forms/employee.html - Employee Parental Leave Sample Letters I plan on perhaps doing 4 day weeks the month before I finish up, then taking 2 wks paid annual leave at 38 weeks pregnant and then paid parental leave for the 14 weeks with unpaid leave for the rest of the time (unsure how long yet). You can take 52 weeks parental leave (that is leave after you have finished any annual leave) and as everyone has said you accrue leave while you're away. But if you don't return it is worth $0. I also plan to leave myself some with some annual leave so when I do return I can do short days and/or short weeks and/or have time out if baby gets sick (which is likely at daycare) without worrying about finances. -------------  
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: KABJ99
Date Posted: 24 June 2008 at 10:05am
|
Hi Flake
As of this week (28 weeks) I am cutting my work days down to 4 per day and am taking the one day a week as annual leave. At 36 weeks when I stop work my company is going to pay me out my remaining annual leave that they owe (will still be about 2 weeks). However if I feel like I need to (as i've got a couple of issues at the moment which I'm handling fine for now) I will stop work at 34 weeks and use my annual leave that way. Luckily my work is really good about it. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Kelly |
Posted By: nooshie
Date Posted: 17 July 2008 at 11:28pm
| How did you clever ladies get your employers to pay out your annual leave? I am owed 16 days and due to commence paid parental leave next week. However, my employer refuses to pay out my accrued leave claiming that to do so "is illegal"!! Hmmmm, HELPFUL! Any advice? |
Posted By: Roksana
Date Posted: 18 July 2008 at 9:51am
|
It is not illegal....what rubbish. Its your leave and since you are going on maternity leave and loose the $$$ value then you are entitled t have it. Call Dept of Labour and ask them!
I am getting my leave paid out to me on the last day of work which will be at 39 weeks (I have a sit down cruisy job).....unless the baby pops out early!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: EmDee
Date Posted: 18 July 2008 at 10:14am
|
I *think* what your employers mean is that you can't claim annual leave and PPL at the same time? See if you can take your 16 days of annual leave and then start your PPL at the end of it, they should be able to change it with the IRD. I did, though I had a bit more time up my sleeve.
Definitely call the Department of Labour, they are really awesome. Good luck! ------------- DS 8 DD 6 DS 4 DD 2 |
Posted By: mandz
Date Posted: 18 July 2008 at 11:16am
|
It is definitely not illegal to get your annual leave paid out. You can actually do this at any time if your employer agrees to it. (Although I think there are some conditions around this). But I definitely got paid my annual leave - about 12 days - on my last pay before going on maternity leave. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
Zack Robert Henton - 29th December 2009 |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 18 July 2008 at 11:31am
|
My understanding is that it is illegal for an employer to pay out leave instead of you taking the leave, the law is there to ensure employees actually have leave.
However most will pay out leave if you are going maternity leave so there is probably a loop hole that allows them to do this. I took my leave before commences PPL, I hadn't intended to as I wanted the lump sum, but I was struggling so instead took the leave and left work earlier than originally planned. ------------- 
 
|
Posted By: mandz
Date Posted: 18 July 2008 at 11:41am
|
I think employers are allowed to pay it out when you go on maternity leave, as you are taking leave at the same time. So in reality I believe you can be paid out a weeks leave if you take a weeks leave. Obviously with maternity leave you are taking the leave, so they can pay out your annual leave.
Hope that makes sense  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
Zack Robert Henton - 29th December 2009 |
Posted By: nooshie
Date Posted: 18 July 2008 at 7:41pm
|
Thanks for your help ladies! Most inspirational! Made a big prenant fuss today and resolved the issue with my employer!
Hoorah! 
|
Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 18 July 2008 at 7:54pm
If its accrued not outstanding you are not entitled to it, thus they don't pay it out. There is probably something in your employment agreement or their policies about not advancing leave or paying it out in advance. Hope this makes sense. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
|
nooshie wrote: