When taking leave due to pregnancy or childbirth, there are important deadlines you must follow. It is essential to inform your employer of your planned absence within the required timeframes.
Before Birth
Mothers must notify their employer of the pregnancy no later than 3 months before the expected due date. You must also state whether you intend to take the 4 weeks of leave before birth (this may be longer depending on your contract or collective agreement).
Fathers or co-mothers who wish to take leave during the first 10 weeks after birth must notify their employer no later than 4 weeks before the expected due date, including the start and duration of the leave. This also applies to transferred leave within the first 10 weeks.
If the mother transfers up to 8 weeks of leave within the first 10 weeks after birth, she must inform her employer no later than 4 weeks before the expected due date, including whether she will continue directly with her own leave afterwards.
After Birth
Leave after the first 10 weeks:
You must notify your employer no later than 6 weeks after the birth if you plan to take leave beyond the initial 10 weeks. This applies to both your own leave and any transferred leave.
Postponing leave:
If you wish to postpone up to 5 weeks of leave to be taken after the child’s first year, you must inform your employer no later than 6 weeks after the birth.
Taking postponed leave:
You must notify your employer at least 8 weeks before the start of the postponed leave, including the start date and duration. The leave must be taken before the child turns 9 years old.
Taking up to 9 weeks of leave as a new employee:
If you become employed within one year of the child’s birth and have not previously taken 9 weeks of leave with parental benefits, you may apply for up to 9 weeks of additional leave. This also applies if you were previously unable to take leave (e.g. due to receiving social assistance).
You must notify your employer at least 8 weeks before the leave begins, including the start date and duration.
These 9 weeks must be taken within one year of the child’s birth.
If you cannot take the notified neave
If circumstances make it unreasonable to take the leave as originally notified (e.g. due to illness), you may change your leave plans.
You must inform your employer at least 16 weeks before the new leave begins, including the start date and duration.
If You Change Employers During Parental Leave
You must inform your new employer of your planned parental leave at least 8 weeks before the leave begins. If this is not possible, you should notify your employer as soon as possible after starting the new job.
