Premature birth leave

Example

You have access to 52 weeks maternity leave, made up of:

18 weeks of paid maternity leave
34 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.

If you’re eligible for 2 weeks premature birth leave, you have access to:

18 weeks paid maternity leave
2 weeks paid premature birth leave
32 weeks unpaid leave.

How much premature birth leave you can take

Example

The baby is due to be born on 17 December.

The baby is born prematurely on 9 November, which is after 34 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy.

You’re eligible for 2 weeks and 3 days of premature birth leave. (37 weeks – 34 weeks and 4 days).

If you give birth prematurely

Example

You may take:

18 weeks of paid maternity leave
1 week of paid premature birth leave
3 weeks of paid recreation leave
30 weeks of unpaid maternity leave

Example

You've served on CFTS for 11 months before you give birth 2 months prematurely. Because you have not completed 12 months of continuous full-time service, you are not initially eligible for paid maternity leave.

You may take one month of other leave such as recreation leave, personal leave or unpaid maternity leave to reach 12 months of continuous full-time service.

Once you've reached 12 months of continuous full-time service, you'll be eligible for the remaining paid maternity leave and can apply for premature birth leave.

To make up the remaining 48 weeks of maternity leave you may take:

14 weeks paid maternity leave
8 weeks premature birth leave
26 weeks other types of leave including unpaid maternity leave.

If your partner gives birth prematurely

Example

The baby is due to be born on 17 December.

The baby is born prematurely on 9 November, which is after 34 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy.

You are eligible for 2 weeks and 3 days of premature birth leave. (37 weeks – 34 weeks and 4 days).

Example

You've served on CFTS for 11 months before your partner gives birth 6 weeks prematurely.

Because you have not completed 12 months of continuous full-time service, you are not initially eligible for premature birth leave.

You take 4 weeks of another type of leave or unpaid parental leave to look after your partner and child.

At the end of those 4 weeks, you have reached 52 weeks of continuous full-time service.

You’re now eligible for the remaining period of premature birth leave and then paid parental leave. To make up the remaining 64 weeks of parental leave, you may take:

2 weeks premature birth leave
40 days (8 weeks) paid parental leave
54 weeks leave including unpaid parental leave and other types of leave.