What are your rights when you go on maternity leave? 

Women in Ireland enjoy a range of rights when they take time off to look after a new born baby. 

However, many women are confused about what exactly these rights are. 

On The Hard Shoulder, Caroline Reidy of HR Suite urged women to “enjoy your very special maternity leave” and noted they cannot be sacked while away. 

“You’re not supposed to do anything to put their job in jeopardy,” she said. 

“There will be scenarios that happen where the whole company closes, for example. 

“Stuff like that that’s outside of [their] control; but it can’t be a case that, say, this person does a job and… all of a sudden, the company has decided we can do without that person. 

“That’s never supposed to be the case.” 

A woman holding her pregnant belly, 22-3-14. Image: Tetra Images, LLC / Alamy

Ms Reidy said women are entitled to take maternity leave no matter how long they have been at the company for. 

“Maternity leave rights kick in straight away,” she said. 

“You don’t need to have any specific requirement, any specific length of service; you’re entitled to maternity once you’re working with that employer. 

“For most people, it’s a concern in terms of, ‘I’m going for an interview and I won’t tell anybody that I’m pregnant for fear that I might not get the job.’

“Ultimately, you’re protected to not be discriminated against because of that.” 

A pregnant woman. Picture by: Lorna E5A6PR/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire.

Despite this, Ms Reidy said that companies which make “really bad decisions” often appear in the media. 

“Oftentimes, they may even say, ‘I’m not offering you the job because you’re pregnant,’” she said. 

“It’s not even in direct discrimination, it’s direct discrimination. 

“But if they do, there’s huge protection in the legislation.” 

A pregnant woman must take two weeks’ maternity leave before the baby is due and at least four weeks after he or she is born.

Women on maternity leave can apply for Maternity Benefit, which is paid at €289 per week. 

Main image: A pregnant woman. Picture by: Pixabay.