FILE:  GBRIC

MATERNITY LEAVE

Any employee who becomes pregnant shall be eligible for maternity leave (leave without pay).  The expectant employee shall be given the option of choosing maternity leave or using current and accumulated sick leave for the period of medical disability occasioned by pregnancy and childbirth.

APPLICATION FOR MATERNITY LEAVE

An employee who becomes pregnant must notify the Acadia Parish School Board in writing prior to the fifth month of pregnancy.  Written notification must be accompanied by a statement from a physician verifying the stage of pregnancy and the expected dates of disability due to pregnancy.  Failure to comply with the notice and other requirements of this policy may be considered willful neglect of duty and may result in termination of employment.

TIME ON MATERNITY LEAVE

Maternity leave of absence (leave without pay) may be granted to regularly employed women for a reasonable time before and after childbirth for a maximum of one year.  Maternity leave without pay does not affect tenure, teaching or working experience acquired prior to the leave. 

USE OF SICK LEAVE

Qualified employees who are pregnant may elect to use their current and accumulated sick leave days for maternity leave purposes.  A physician’s statement certifying the period of disability shall be required.  Notice of complications resulting from pregnancy shall be made to the School Board as soon as possible.

RETURN TO SERVICE

The employee may return to work upon written certification of the employee’s physician to the fact that the employee is physically able to perform all assigned duties.  The employee must return to the position from which maternity leave was taken no later than six (6) months following the termination of pregnancy.

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:1171, 17:1211, 23:334, 23:341, 23:342

Acadia Parish School Board