FILE:  GBRIC

Cf:  GBRIB

MATERNITY LEAVE

The Orleans Parish School Board declares that 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.  Use of current and/or accumulated sick leave for maternity leave purposes shall be in accordance with all policies, regulations and procedures affecting sick 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.  Maternity leave granted only for the period of disability occasioned by pregnancy and/or childbirth shall not interrupt the consecutive service for sabbatical leave purposes.

APPLICATION

A pregnant employee may remain on the job as long as she is performing her duties competently as determined by her immediate supervisor.  An employee that desires to take maternity leave shall complete a Maternity Leave Request form, giving as much advance notice as possible, but in no case less than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning date of leave, except in emergency situations.  The form must be accompanied by a statement from a physician verifying the stage of pregnancy and expected dates of disability due to pregnancy.  Such certificate shall follow the same standards as for submission of certificates for sick leave as found under Certification of Absence in policy GBRIB, Sick Leave.  Failure to comply with the notice and other requirements of this policy may be considered willful neglect of duty and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

RETURN TO WORK

Prior to returning to work, the employee must provide a physician’s statement to the Department of Human Resources.  The Department of Human Resources shall provide the employee with a Return to Work form which shall be presented to the employee’s immediate supervisor prior to being allowed to return to work.  The immediate supervisor shall be responsible for making sure that the appropriate form has been processed prior to the employee being allowed to return.

Ref:    42 USC 2000e et seq. (Equal Employment Opportunities)

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

Orleans Parish School Board