Supporting Working Parents: Pregnancy and Return to Work National Review Submissions from women and men who have experienced discrimination at work while pregnant, or while on or on return to work after taking parental leave Submission Number: 145 Part C Submission Response During my pregnancy, I had very little difficulties; in fact most people were very helpful and very accommodating. The one concern I had was when I advised my Principal that I was pregnant and intended to return to the workplace on a part time basis, he was very clear to point out that it was only if it was financially feasible for the school and he didn’t believe in shared classrooms. I had no information voluntarily provided to me regarding my entitlements or rights, I had to actively go looking for them. I had my first child in 2011 and at the end of 2011, after realising that I needed to return to part time work for financial reasons, my Principal said that there were no part time opportunities at my school for 2012. My union initially advised me that there was nothing they could do I therefore spent the next six months looking for part time work. I obtained a casual position at a [retail] store chain. This didn’t provide much relief as the hours were irregular. I advised my Principal that I would like to return to work in 2013, but again was advised, no part time positions. I then fell pregnant with my second child. Because I was working casually at a different workplace, I was not entitled to paid maternity leave. I did, however, after 3 months of negotiation with Centrelink, manage to gain access to paid parental leave from the Government. In early 2013, for the third time, I requested a return to work, part time for 2014. After receiving the same response, I decided to take advice from the Union again. This time, they were extremely helpful and very apologetic for the original, incorrect advice. After several months of negotiation, I lodged a grievance with the Merit Protection Board. Before the hearing, my Principal called a meeting to offer me a Part Time position for 2014.
Supporting Working Parents: Pregnancy and Return to Work National Review Submissions from women and men who have experienced discrimination at work while pregnant, or while on or on return to work after taking parental leave Submission Number: 145 Part C Submission Response During my pregnancy, I had very little difficulties; in fact most people were very helpful and very accommodating. The one concern I had was when I advised my Principal that I was pregnant and intended to return to the workplace on a part time basis, he was very clear to point out that it was only if it was financially feasible for the school and he didn’t believe in shared classrooms. I had no information voluntarily provided to me regarding my entitlements or rights, I had to actively go looking for them. I had my first child in 2011 and at the end of 2011, after realising that I needed to return to part time work for financial reasons, my Principal said that there were no part time opportunities at my school for 2012. My union initially advised me that there was nothing they could do I therefore spent the next six months looking for part time work. I obtained a casual position at a [retail] store chain. This didn’t provide much relief as the hours were irregular. I advised my Principal that I would like to return to work in 2013, but again was advised, no part time positions. I then fell pregnant with my second child. Because I was working casually at a different workplace, I was not entitled to paid maternity leave. I did, however, after 3 months of negotiation with Centrelink, manage to gain access to paid parental leave from the Government. In early 2013, for the third time, I requested a return to work, part time for 2014. After receiving the same response, I decided to take advice from the Union again. This time, they were extremely helpful and very apologetic for the original, incorrect advice. After several months of negotiation, I lodged a grievance with the Merit Protection Board. Before the hearing, my Principal called a meeting to offer me a Part Time position for 2014.
Individual%20submission%20no.%20145.docx