Paid parental leave
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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=19963
Printed Date: 22 August 2025 at 3:06am
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Topic: Paid parental leave
Posted By: Rashika
Subject: Paid parental leave
Date Posted: 09 August 2008 at 9:11pm
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Just a wee query i have about PPL for those who have been working before childbirth.
According to the DOL website i am entitled to 14 weeks paid parental leave, as will have been with employer for more than 6 months when I have the baby (about 9.5 months actually). But recently someone mentioned that they were only entitled to 8 weeks of it as they will only been with their employer 8 months when they are due. They have been told (not sure who by) that it is a pro rata basis of UP TO 14 weeks and they are entitled to less as they had not been there for 12 months.They are also only working part-time, tho not sure how much, and I'm wondering if this is why they are not entitled to it all? This seems odd to me as there is nothing on the website to say it is not the full14 weeks, if you have worked full times for less than a year with the same employer. Just wondered if anyone has any info, altho I have written to the DOL just to see if it is correct. Just a wee bit concerned cos I will be relying on that money to pay the mortgage, and if it aint gonna be there I need to start a big savings plan!  ------------- Jan 08 :angel: http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Replies:
Posted By: Natalie_G
Date Posted: 09 August 2008 at 10:47pm
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I am quite sure anyone who has worked longer than 6 months with the same employer is entitled to 14 weeks.
Ive been with my employer for 5 years and I still am confused about all these governement things like PPL and WFF. Its all a blur with me. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 09 August 2008 at 11:01pm
| Yep, its 14 weeks regardless as long as you have been with your employer for at least 6 months and have worked on an average of 10 hours per week over that 6 months. If you have been 12 months you are entitled to take more time off( unpaid) and they have to hold your job open. Maybe the other person has a nice employer that includes a company parental leave thing as part of her contract. |
Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 8:55am
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Cheers guys. I was pretty sure that was the case, but thought I would ask around you knowledgible folk.
actually maybe that last part is quite possible NZpiper, will have to ask her! ------------- Jan 08 :angel: http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 3:35pm
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Also another question...whats the earliest you can start PPL prior to the birth? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 3:37pm
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Linda you can leave work and go on PPL 6 weeks before babies EDD. To answer the first question yep if you have worked for longer than 6 months then yes you get the full14 weeks. I had only been working for my boss 2 weeks and I found out I was pregnant so only ended up worked for him for 8 months. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 5:56pm
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Thanks Mummy becks. These things are all good to know when planning your maternity leave ------------- http://lilypie.com">
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: Genie
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 6:04pm
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What happens if you leave work and go on PPL 6 weeks before babies EDD and baby is then overdue? Do you get a break in payments? ------------- 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 6:05pm
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Nope you keep getting them for the full 14 weeks, you then just miss out on the payments at the other end when baby is here. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Genie
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 6:12pm
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Thanks mummy_becks, have to assume this one will be overdue since the first two were ;) -------------
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 8:39pm
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Sorry my answer doesn't give the correct info now I have reread it. If someone was due on the 26th of September then if they wanted to finish 6 weeks before baby is due then they could take their PPL from next Friday. However if baby is late and doesn't arrive till the first week of October it doesn't matter all it will mean is that the PPL started 7-8 weeks before baby arrived and you will only get 7-6 weeks of PPL after baby is here. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 9:14pm
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I have a question re PPL ...is it actually your employer that pays it,or the government ?
I KNOW thats a really really dumb question , but , well , sometimes im really , really dumb .... |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 9:52pm
| government.....or ultimately our taxes I guess....but not the employer. |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 9:54pm
thanks Nzpiper , i thought my employers might get a bit peeved if they had to 
so all your employer needs to do is keep the job open for you ? |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 9:55pm
| yep and sign the form to say you have been there long enough, worked enough hours and how much you get paid. |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 9:59pm
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They only need to keep your job open for a year, then you have to decide to go back or leave. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 10:55pm
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I meet all the requirements (been working there for over a year etc)
but as for keeping my job open ? pah , they neednt bother,i can think of better things to do with my time , eg watch paint dry , than go back to that mad house )
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Posted By: Genie
Date Posted: 10 August 2008 at 11:46pm
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lol! I think the same thing, but if it means getting 14 weeks pay I'm quite prepared to pretend I want to go back ;) -------------
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 11 August 2008 at 10:12am
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To get the PPL you need to "intend" of returning to your job, doesn't matter if you already know you ain't going back so long as you make them believe you do in your letter you will get it. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 11 August 2008 at 10:43am
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Phew! I work for a charity so felt bad taking maternity leave (and I don't want to come back anyway) but if the govt pays it... and I don't have to go back after the 12 months then I will take it! Yay! ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 11 August 2008 at 12:45pm
yeah i'll pretend im going back , but hahahaha , yeah right |
mummy_becks wrote:Posted By: Rashika
Date Posted: 11 August 2008 at 7:24pm
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Cool! Just got a reply from the DOL (they are pretty good at getting back to you I have found), and her response was long, but here is the important bit:
"She is entitled to: • 10 days unpaid special leave prior to taking parental leave, for reasons specifically related to the pregnancy, i.e. antenatal appointments, scans, etc. • 14 weeks paid parental leave She will not be entitled to any extended parental leave. These provisions are not pro-rated in any way." so question answered for me and anyone else who needs to know!  ------------- Jan 08 :angel: http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kmarie
Date Posted: 11 August 2008 at 7:34pm
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All very interesting. Does anyone know what part of this applies to you if you're a teacher? My understanding is that it's a little different but I'm not quite clear on how... ------------- 
twins in heaven Oct07 Is 40:11 "He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart." |
Posted By: babyone
Date Posted: 13 August 2008 at 5:10pm
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Hi all, I have a wee question re this too ...
I am employed at a University, have been here about a year and a half ... one of my co-workers just pointed out to me that when I take my maternity leave of 52 weeks, that the University will pay me in full for the first 6 weeks of that leave. Then, apparently I get the 14 weeks of PPL. Seems too good to be true - is anyone else in this situation? |
Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 13 August 2008 at 5:33pm
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Hi Babyone,
Some employers are great! I know a some banks will top your ppl payments up to match your wage. I'm not in the same situation, wish I was though! -------------   
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 13 August 2008 at 5:35pm
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babyone do you work for Massey??? Kirsty I would ask some of the teachers on here how it works for you guys. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Mum2L
Date Posted: 13 August 2008 at 7:36pm
I would check your employment agreement, as some employers offer extra financial support. I know in my case that I still accrue full annual leave over the period of PPL, and I also get other benefits. I know it may sound too good to true, but just check your employment agreement, you maybe surprised :-) and they have to stick to what is agreed in it as well, even though it is over and above current PPL legislation, but within the confines of employment and contract law. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Babykatnz
Date Posted: 13 August 2008 at 9:37pm
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Something else that everyone seems to have missed is that you arent entitled to it if you havent worked a full 12 months since the last time you used PPL (e.g if you came back from leave and you fell preg 2 months later, you would then be due 11 months after coming back, which would leave you ineligible for PPL next time round)
Also, what a lot of mums-to-be do to increase the number of weeks they are paid for is to use Annual leave for however many weeks before bubs is due, then go on PPL at the end of that leave period. All perfectly legit. It needs to be applied for at least 3 months prior to intending to take leave to allow time for forms to be processed, and then at the end of PPL, you need to give a certain amount of notice of any change in your intentions to go back ------------- Brandon - 05/12/2003  
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Posted By: Natalie_G
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 1:59pm
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How lucky to have work pay for some of your time off, I will have to use my annual leave before going on PPL.
I have yet to tell work how long I will be having off which is a year. I cant wait to be with my bub. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 6:57pm
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So if my EDD date 28 March 09 can I use up by annual leave and then take PPL even if the PPL starts after the due date? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 7:01pm
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I think PPL has to start no later than 2 weeks before your due date. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 14 August 2008 at 7:55pm
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Thanks. I might just have to save up my leave ------------- http://lilypie.com">
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |