Seeking Feedback on My Company's Maternity Leave Policy: How Can We Improve It?

Hi all,

I have prepared a policy for Maternity Leave for my company as shown below. Perhaps one of you could help in creating a similar policy.

MATERNITY LEAVE:

1. It is the policy of the company to grant maternity leave of absence to married female executives for the purpose of confinement and recovery thereafter.

2. Intent:
The purpose of this policy is to ensure continuity of service for married female executives during their absence from work due to confinement.

3. Eligibility:
Married female executives are eligible if they have worked in the company for a minimum of 80 days before the date of confinement.

4. Conditions:
Maternity leave shall not exceed 84 days.

5. A woman experiencing pregnancy-related illness or miscarriage may be granted leave for up to 42 days upon submission of a medical certificate from a registered gynecologist.

6. If a pregnancy is terminated without medical advice from a registered gynecologist or without a valid reason, the executive will not be granted any leave.

7. A female executive may be entitled to normal straight-time pay from the company during the maternity leave period.

8. During the maternity leave period, no female employee may work at any other establishment. Failure to return to work after maternity leave, except for valid reasons accepted by the company, may result in the female executive losing her job. In such cases, she will be considered to have resigned from the company, and her employment may be terminated at the company's discretion.

9. Procedure:
An executive requesting maternity leave must apply to her Department Head at least 8 weeks before her due date, along with a Medical Certificate.

I appreciate your expert opinions.

Regards,

Vandana

Hi,

"Failure to rejoin duty on completion of Maternity Leave, except for good and sufficient reason acceptable to the company, will cause the female executive to lose her lien on her appointment. In such event, she will automatically be deemed to have resigned from the services of the Company, and her service may be terminated at the sole discretion of the Company.

Just read the underlined. Once you say "automatically deemed to have resigned," there is no termination involved. Just say, "It will be deemed that she has no interest in continuing in employment, and her name will be removed from the rolls of the Company." But check on the legality of this clause.

Why do you use the term 'female executive'? Do you mean to say it covers only executives? It would be better to use the term 'employees.'

Siva"

Dear Seniors,

Can someone elaborate for me on the following statement: "Failure to rejoin duty on completion of Maternity Leave, except for a good and sufficient reason acceptable to the company, will cause the female executive to lose her lien on her appointment. In such an event, she will automatically be deemed to have resigned from the services of the Company, and her service may be terminated at the sole discretion of the Company."

How much time can we provide to an employee who is asking for long paid/unpaid leaves after completion of maternity leave from the employer? From an employer's perspective, we cannot allow long leaves after maternity leave to employees due to the requirements of the company. Can someone suggest how many leaves can be given immediately after maternity leave to an employee?

Thanks in Advance.

Tapan Pandit

Can someone please help me with the query regarding failure to rejoin duty upon completion of maternity leave?

Requesting seniors to kindly assist.