Is a Doctor's Note Required for Maternity Leave and What Happens If It's Missing?

Mandatory Documentation for Maternity Leave

Is it mandatory for a female employee to submit a document certified by her doctor indicating that she is proceeding on maternity leave? If so, please provide me with a copy of the said form.

Consequences of Not Submitting the Document

Secondly, what would be the consequences of not submitting such a document before proceeding on maternity leave?

Maternity Leave Notice Requirements

Section 6 of the Maternity Benefits Act states that a woman employee should give a notice stating that she is pregnant and requires leave from the date mentioned therein. It should also contain the expected date of delivery so that the employer can know when her maternity leave starts prior to the delivery. This is because the employer can restrict the sanctioning of the leave prior to the date of delivery to 6 weeks.

In case she does not give such notice before delivery, she can furnish the same after delivery. Though subsection 6 of the above section states that failure to submit the notice will not make an employee disentitled to benefits, it would require the intervention of authorities under the Act, like a Labor Officer, to get the benefits sanctioned.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K