Understanding Maternity Benefits: What Does "80 Days in the Past 12 Months" Really Mean?

We are an NGO and have an employee who joined in May 2018. She is currently pregnant. Will she be eligible for maternity benefits in reference to the rule:

Eligibility: As per the Act, to be eligible for maternity benefits, a woman must have been working as an employee in an establishment for a period of at least 80 days in the past 12 months. What does 'In the past 12 months' mean? Please clarify.

Hello Anonymous,

The employee will be eligible for maternity benefits if she has worked for 80 days immediately preceding the date of delivery in the preceding 12 months.