Q : I have exhausted my 14 days sick leave, actually I took 18 days
and was suspended without pay for 5 days. The reason for my absence is
due to illness since I am 7 months pregnant along with time off taken to
attend clinic appointments. Can my boss fire me for taking more time
off if sick before I go on maternity leave. I have been employed with
this company for 9 years and 5 months.
A: After a pregnant employee has exhausted her sick leave entitlement (usually 14 days), subsequent pregnancy-related sick leave DOES NOT count toward the entitled sick leave and the employer is not obliged to pay the employee for those days. Employers should not pay the pregnant employee for those extra days because it will be considered discriminatory against the other employees.
Time off for prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal appointments must be allowed, and do not count towards sick leave.
Disciplinary action taken (which is the case here) as a result of any pregnancy-related time-off is discriminatory, and you can bring action against your employer.
A: After a pregnant employee has exhausted her sick leave entitlement (usually 14 days), subsequent pregnancy-related sick leave DOES NOT count toward the entitled sick leave and the employer is not obliged to pay the employee for those days. Employers should not pay the pregnant employee for those extra days because it will be considered discriminatory against the other employees.
Time off for prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal appointments must be allowed, and do not count towards sick leave.
Disciplinary action taken (which is the case here) as a result of any pregnancy-related time-off is discriminatory, and you can bring action against your employer.
