Paid parental leave

Just a wee query i have about PPL for those who have been working before childbirth.

According to the DOL website i am entitled to 14 weeks paid parental leave, as will have been with employer for more than 6 months when I have the baby (about 9.5 months actually).

But recently someone mentioned that they were only entitled to 8 weeks of it as they will only been with their employer 8 months when they are due. They have been told (not sure who by) that it is a pro rata basis of UP TO 14 weeks and they are entitled to less as they had not been there for 12 months.They are also only working part-time, tho not sure how much, and I'm wondering if this is why they are not entitled to it all?

This seems odd to me as there is nothing on the website to say it is not the full14 weeks, if you have worked full times for less than a year with the same employer.

Just wondered if anyone has any info, altho I have written to the DOL just to see if it is correct.

Just a wee bit concerned cos I will be relying on that money to pay the mortgage, and if it aint gonna be there I need to start a big savings plan!   

Edited by Rashika

Yep, its 14 weeks regardless as long as you have been with your employer for at least 6 months and have worked on an average of 10 hours per week over that 6 months.  If you have been 12 months you are entitled to take more time off( unpaid) and they have to hold your job open.   Maybe the other person has a nice employer that includes a company parental leave thing as part of her contract.

Also another question...whats the earliest you can start PPL prior to the birth?

Thanks Mummy becks. These things are all good to know when planning your maternity leave

Nope you keep getting them for the full 14 weeks, you then just miss out on the payments at the other end when baby is here.

Sorry my answer doesn't give the correct info now I have reread it. If someone was due on the 26th of September then if they wanted to finish 6 weeks before baby is due then they could take their PPL from next Friday. However if baby is late and doesn't arrive till the first week of October it doesn't matter all it will mean is that the PPL started 7-8 weeks before baby arrived and you will only get 7-6 weeks of PPL after baby is here.

government.....or ultimately our taxes I guess....but not the employer.

yep and sign the form to say you have been there long enough, worked enough hours and how much you get paid.

I meet all the requirements (been working there for over a year etc)

but as for keeping my job open ? pah , they neednt bother,i can think of better things to do with my time , eg watch paint dry , than go back to that mad house )

To get the PPL you need to "intend" of returning to your job, doesn't matter if you already know you ain't going back so long as you make them believe you do in your letter you will get it.