Pregnant but job seeking?
What are your rights?

Here is a thread on your rights as a pregnant woman during the job seeking process.

Hope this helps
#Pregnant #JobsThread

It is quite a situation to be in when you are pregnant but still needs to secure employment, in many cases, the woman is not sure of their rights or if they actually have any.

The South African Labour Guide advises that “The Basic Conditions of Employment Act states only that the employee must inform the employer of the requirement for maternity leave at least one month before the maternity leave is to commence.

There is no legislated onus on the employee to disclose her pregnant status at any other time.”

From this, it is evident that you do not need to disclose your pregnancy when attending an interview or even within your probation period.

It is only required a month before maternity leave is to commence.

In the event that after you have disclosed your pregnancy to your employer and they dismiss you, you have grounds to lodge an unfair dismissal case against the company.

Such dismissals can be very expensive for the employer as the employee can receive up to 24 months salary in compensation.

It is important to remember that when deciding not to disclose to an employer that you are pregnant that you will effectively be leaving them...

without an employee for 4 months during your maternity leave.

Therefore, an ethical standpoint, we do suggest that you consider ways of being able to provide solutions to the employer, for your maternity leave period, when you do decide to let them know you are pregnant.

Employers that do hire a temp during your maternity leave are also not allowed to hire that person permanently in your position and place you in another role or advise you not to come back to work.

You have many rights and you should make sure you know what they are.

Here are a few useful links that can help you, should you find yourself in a position where you are being discriminated against because you are pregnant or issues during maternity leave.

http://www.labourguide.co.za/general/514-pregnancy-when-must-an-employee-inform-the-employer-of-pregnancy

http://www.labourwise.co.za/labour-articles/employer-rights-pregnancy

http://www.labourguide.co.za/pregnancy-and-the-employer

Bringing a child into this world can get really expensive.

Here's how you can ensure you still get paid while you're on maternity leave.

South Africa offers working mothers up to 4 months of paid maternity leave.

There are a few documents you need, and a few visits to the Department of Home Affairs you'll have to endure.

Here's a 'How To' guide to ensure that you receive what you’ve earned so that you can take care of your new bundle of joy with one less worry.

Are you sure you qualify to claim UIF maternity benefits in South Africa?

You qualify to claim if you are:

a South African citizen and have a bar-coded ID Book/Smart Card;
a foreign national with a valid passport (and you fulfill all other UIF criteria for a claim);

a mother that pays UIF every month;
adopting a child under the age of two years;
self-employed and a member of a Closed Corporation or a Company.

That excludes:

workers working less than 24 hours a month for an employer;
learners;
public servants;

foreigners working on contract to be repatriated at the end of the contract;
workers who get a monthly State (old age) pension;
workers who only earn commission.
If you are a domestic worker, you too are eligible to claim.

A worker who has miscarried in the third trimester or has had a stillborn child also qualifies to claim for 6 weeks.

What documents do you need to claim UIF maternity benefits in South Africa?

In addition to actually having a baby, you’ll need 8 different documents to apply for UIF Maternity benefits:

1. Your 2 most recent payslips
2. A bank statement
3. Identification
Your original ID or passport or a certified copy.
4. Banking Details

To have the money paid directly into your bank account, download and complete form UI-2.8.

5. A record of monies received by a worker whilst in employment

Download form UI-2.7. This needs to be completed by your employer.

6. Application Form

To apply for South African UIF Maternity benefits, download and complete application form UI-2.3.

7. Medical Certificate
Collect a medical certificate or the baby's birth certificate from your doctor.

8. Follow-up form

Download and complete form UI-4. This application form will allow for the continuation of payment of maternity benefits.

Where do you go to claim UIF maternity benefits in South Africa?

You need to go to a labour centre nearest to you to submit the aforementioned documents.

If you’re unable to go, send the documents with a close friend or family member.

Sometimes, the labour centre’s staff asks the mother to revisit the doctor/requests she revisits the labour centre at a later stage

How much are you entitled to if you claim UIF maternity benefits in South Africa?

You should receive between 38% & 58% of your gross salary /month

For every 6 months you’ve worked, you will be entitled to 1 - 4 months.

Don’t worry, if you have changed jobs in the last 4 years. You previous employer just needs to complete a UI.19 form in order for you to receive the maximum credit of 4 months UIF payment.

I see the UIF has since switched up their website since the article was written.

Visit this link, and all the best

https://www.gov.za/services/uif/maternity-benefits-uif

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