Navigating Maternity Benefits: What Steps Should Employers Take for Pregnant Employees?

Hello to All Seniors,

I would like to know if any female employee has informed about her pregnancy, then what are the formalities the company needs to complete? If the employee comes under ESI and if she is not covered under ESI (i.e., her salary is more than Rs. 10,000), please guide me on what registers need to be maintained.

Please email me at [Login to view].

Regards,
Madhura.

If she is not covered under the ESI, then she is covered under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. You need to pay a medical bonus of Rs. 1000/- and maternity leaves for 12 weeks with full salary.

Please revert back if you have any other queries in this regard. Please see the copy of the act for reference.

Dear Vikram,

Having due regards to your answer to the query and efforts made on M. B. Act, 1961, we have observed some contradictions/irregularities in your attachment regarding important points of this Act. We would like to highlight the following:

Point No. IV: The attached material shows that in the form of medical bonus, a sum of Rs. 250/- will be given to the woman employee, while it has already been enhanced to Rs. 1000/-. You have also mentioned Rs. 1000/- in your response to the query.

Point No. XII: This point indicates that only Form 'L' is to be submitted as the annual return to the Competent Authority by January 31st. In our opinion, the situation should be as stated in point no. 16 of the attachment. Please review your state rules to clarify as point no. 16 aligns with the central rules, whereas state rules may vary from the central rules.

Thanks and regards,
R.N. Khola

Hi,

I am currently eight months pregnant, and my due date is 7th December 2010. I have been employed with the organization since May 2009. At that time, I was not covered under ESIC. However, since the ESIC coverage limit has increased, I have been covered under ESIC since May 2010. I have inquired about my maternity leave, but I will not receive cash benefits from ESIC.

My organization states that I am entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, but I must take it within 6 weeks before my due date and 6 weeks after. Is it compulsory to take maternity leave in this specific manner? My doctor and our factory doctor have advised that I can work until 1 week before my due date. I wish to take the full 12 weeks of leave after my delivery. Is this possible? I am confused because some are suggesting that I can take the full 12 weeks of benefits after my delivery as well.

Please help clarify this situation for me. Thank you.

Dear Members,

VS Rajan Associates have rightly pointed out that the amount of Rs. 1000/- has been increased to Rs. 2500/- vide The Govt. of India Gazette dated 11.08.2008. If this is also increased, the members are requested to inform us of the latest update. Thanks for the correction.

With Regards,

R.N. Khola

Dear HR,

This is regarding the ESI coverage. You will become eligible for benefits after 9 months. If you were covered in May 2010, you will receive ESI benefits from January 2011 as you are already availing maternity benefits.

Finally, the management's decision may or may not be provided.

Thanks & Regards,

Chandra Shekar.N