Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2008/One for the parents-to-be — Navy maternity leave
By Annie Casey
Talk of the Federal Government introducing a paid parental leave scheme has drawn into sharp focus the topic of paid and unpaid maternity/parental leave in Defence.
And a brief survey of what’s on offer outside the armed forces suggests those in Navy and other Services enjoy conditions equal to or better than most in outside employment.
Navy has been one of the leaders in this area – pregnant members are entitled to 52 weeks off work. For those who have completed a continuous period of 12 months full-time service in the ADF, the first 14 weeks of this maternity leave can be taken at full pay with the remainder of the 52 week period taken as unpaid leave.
A member may convert all or part of the paid 14 weeks to a maximum of 28 weeks at half pay and may also be allowed to substitute recreation leave or long service leave for unpaid maternity leave.
Two weeks parental leave is granted to Navy fathers with a newborn or adopted dependent child.
Continuous full-time service
A member rendering continuous full-time service who becomes the parent of a dependent child and who is not entitled to paid maternity leave may be granted two weeks paid parental leave.
They may also be granted, subject to Navy requirements, a further period of 64 weeks of unpaid leave.
A member who has taken maternity leave may also be granted a further 14 weeks unpaid parental leave bringing the total period of absence from work to 66 weeks. But Members should remember that unpaid maternity leave or unpaid parental leave does not count as effective service.
Navy’s maternity and parental provisions are a reminder employment conditions and benefits in the Navy are significant and sometimes it’s easy to forget that we are actually ahead of many civilian workplaces when it comes to conditions of service.
And there are other favorable family friendly conditions of Naval Service.
Part time leave without pay
Part-time work has been introduced for permanent members of the (ADF) as a means of assisting people to meet changing personal circumstances throughout their careers. Through a reduced number of working days in any fortnightly pay period, PTLWOP enables permanent ADF members to:
- Meet carer responsibilities;
- Seek respite from arduous periods of ADF service; and
- Fulfill education, training or other aspirations without terminating their ADF careers.
Education assistance scheme (EAS)
Help available to relocating families through EAS, includes: tutoring: If a member moves to a new location and has school aged children, they may be entitled to 14 weeks of tutoring in any subject that has been identified by the school as a gap in the child’s learning.
Boarding School Allowances
Assistance may be available under the EAS to enable ADF families to access boarding school for a dependant in the critical years of schooling (Years 9, 10, 11 and 12) to avoid disruption to the child’s education if the member is relocated. Contact your Regional Education Liaison Officer for more info and POCs see http://www.defence.gov.au/dco/education.htm#5
Medical and dental
Navy members are entitled to free medical and dental treatment. Our doctors, dentists and nurses are trained to the highest standards of medical care and work in state-of-the-art facilities. It’s not only urgent medical care you will receive, you will also qualify for any special treatment deemed necessary for your ongoing health.
http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/navy/payAndBenefits/benefits.aspx
Housing
Service residences are provided for all personnel with dependants at rental significantly lower than for privately rented accommodation of a similar standard. If there is no suitable service residence available you will be eligible for rental allowance. Rental allowance is also available to certain members without dependants and members separated from their families for posting reasons. Service residences therefore provide good quality, convenient and affordable accommodation at considerably subsidised prices.
Postings for special circumstances
DSCM is allowed to take into account individual or family special needs if a particular posting would help.
Navy continues to work on improving the policies that affect our members and their families. We strive to look after the whole Navy family, to meet your needs and retain our capability.
MATERNITY LEAVE ELSEWHERE
MYER — Permanent staff who have worked for the company for at least 18 months are offered six weeks paid parental leave, which can be paid in a variety of ways, including a lump sum or gradual payments.
COMMONWEALTH BANK — Currently offer 12 weeks paid maternity leave, one week paid paternity leave and 52 weeks unpaid parental leave for the primary carer.
WOOLWORTHS — Up to eight weeks paid maternity leave applies if an employee has served two years or more, the first six weeks at full pay and a two-week paid bonus on return to work.
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY — Mothers are entitled to up to 12 weeks paid leave and (after two years service) a further 40 weeks leave at 60 per cent of their salary, fathers are offered 15 consecutive working days paid leave in the first 12 weeks after the birth of the child.
