Maternity Leave for New Govt. Employees: Can You Apply Right After Joining?

I want to know if maternity leave is admissible to a female employee working in Haryana Govt./central govt. who has joined the job on the first appointment a few days after her delivery and applies for maternity leave just after joining. If anyone has any idea, please help me. How many days of minimum service are required for entitlement for maternity leave? Thanks.

Dr. Suresh Chander
Hisar, Haryana

Dear Scarya,

80 days of minimum service is required for entitlement for maternity leave under the Maternity and Benefits Act. So, I think in your cited case, the employee will not be entitled to maternity benefits.

I suggest the employee should request management to grant her leave without pay (paid leave is not applicable during the probation period) on humanitarian grounds to uphold the dignity of motherhood and child. It will depend upon the management to accept or reject your request as they are not legally bound but morally responsible.

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