Any secondary Teachers?

Just have a couple of questions that I was hoping that someone could help me with!!

There is the maternity grant (section 6.3.5 of the PPTA collective agreement)that says you get 6 weeks full salary from the date of your baby's birth as long as you hand in your birth certificate.

My question is do you get this as well as the 14 weeks from the government?

Thanks..have been trying to sort out bits and pieces at school but seem to be asking 100 questions so thought I would check on here first.

I am a primary teacher and we have the same condition as secondary teachers I believe. We get 6 weeks full pay on producing the birth certificate. This does not affect the 14 weeks paid maternity leave, though I heard it get taxed at a secondary rate. There is a time limit to how long after baby is born to when you can apply for but can' remember how long it is. I am going to try do after the 14 weeks is finished, as I am taking 7 weeks off before baby is due. All you do is take the birth certificate to your principal to be signed and they send to payroll (this is what the NZEI field rep told me).

Cool thanks, the tax thing was an issue too but if you can apply once the 14 weeks government one is up then you avoid the secondary tax.

Also its only 4 weeks you have to give for maternity leave notice isn't it? So am guessing that you can only send teh government forms away once you know when you are taking leave from?

Seen you are the guru, Miss. I have another question. I am due end of the school term and am going to play it by ear a wee bit but when will my maternity pay kick in. For example if I work the full school year and then get paid over the holidays...can I take my 14 weeks pay starting from the first day of the next school year or does it start from the first week of the summer holidays?

Thanks!!!!

Thanks again! I think that is now my plan and may just take the last week of term as sick leave. Means I get money for longer and more of it!!!

If you want, Peanut, I'll run your questions by my husband for a second opinion - he's the head of his school's PPTA branch.

I talked to my husband last night... as far as paid parental leave goes the 14 weeks the govenment gives are what you get.

However, depending on how long you've been teaching, you also qualify for unpaid leave: up to 24 months if you've been teaching for 2 years or more (doesn't have to be all at the same school) or up to 12 months if you've been teaching for less than 2 years.

He said the best thing to do is to ring a PPTA field officer (your school doesn't have to know you've done this) and they should be able to answer all your questions. Nat said to just let him know if you want the phone number of an officer in your area and he'll find it for you. PM me your area and I'll pass it on.