31 Jul Know Your Rights: Maternity Leave

Know Your Rights: Maternity Leave

What the Law says:

Section 25 of The Basic Conditions of Employment Act No.75 of 1997, as amended in 2020, states:

Maternity leave

(1)  An employee is entitled to at least four consecutive months of maternity leave.

(2)  An employee may commence maternity leave—

(a) at any time from four weeks before the expected date of birth, unless otherwise agreed; or

(b) on a date from which a medical practitioner or a midwife certifies that it is necessary for the employee’s health or that of her unborn child.

(3)  No employee may work for six weeks after the birth of her child unless a medical practitioner or midwife certifies that she is fit to do so.

(4)  An employee who has a miscarriage during the third trimester of pregnancy or bears a still­born child is entitled to maternity leave for six weeks after the miscarriage or still­birth, whether or not the employee had commenced maternity leave at the time of the miscarriage or still­birth.

(5)  An employee must notify an employer in writing, unless the employee is unable to do so, of the date on which the employee intends to—

(a) commence maternity leave; and

(b) return to work after maternity leave.

(6)  Notification in terms of subsection (5) must be given—

(a) at least four weeks before the employee intends to commence maternity leave; or

(b) if it is not reasonably practicable to do so, as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(7)  The payment of maternity benefits will be determined by the Minister subject to the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1966 (Act No. 30 of 1966).

(You can download a full copy of the Act Basic Conditions of Employment Act No  here)

What the CCMA Says:

The CCMA also has a very useful Information sheet that breaks down all the relevant legislation, how to register for benefits, and other rights.   

Download a copy of the Information Sheet on Maternity Benefits from www.ccma.org.za 2022 by clicking on the link.

Disclaimer: RESOURCE recruitment is not a Labour Consultancy and is not giving Labour Advice.  The above information is freely available on the Department of Labour and CCMA website, and any legal advice should be sought from a legal professional.