Newcastle University materity leave brought into line

Newcastle University maternity leave brought into line

Newcastle University has dropped its peculiar interpretation of maternity leave entitlement.

The University policy was that women had to work continuously for twelve months immediately prior to the leave.

This meant that a woman could have worked there for ten years, but if she had a break from work (i.e. a break other than resignation) in the 12 months prior to maternity leave, she would not be entitled to maternity leave.

The issue was brought to a head by precisely such a case.

A long term employee took leave without pay to work at another university in order gain experience in another field. She then returned to Newcastle, and later applied for maternity leave. She was denied because of the break.

The union took up the case. Consequently the University changed its criteria to 12 months continuous employment in the current period of employment. That means the employee can have a break in the immediate 12 months provided she has 12 months continuous employment sometime prior to her break.