the MEA - ASU NSW

27.1 Definitions27.1.1 For the purpose of this clause child means a child of the employee under the ageof one year except for adoption of a child where ‘child’ means a person under theage of five years who is placed with the employee for the purposes of adoption,other than a child or step-child of the employee or of the spouse of the employeeor a child who has previously lived continuously with the employee for a periodof six months or more.27.1.2 Subject to clause 27.1.3, in this clause, spouse includes a de facto or formerspouse.27.1.3 In relation to clause 27.6, spouse includes a de facto spouse but does not include aformer spouse.27.2 Basic entitlement27.2.1 After twelve months continuous service, parents are entitled to a combined totalof 52 weeks unpaid parental leave on a shared basis in relation to the birth oradoption of their child. For females, maternity leave may be taken and for males,paternity leave may be taken. Adoption leave may be taken in the case ofadoption.27.2.2 Subject to 27.4.6, parental leave is to be available to only one parent at a time, in asingle unbroken period, except that both parents may simultaneously take:27.2.2(a)27.2.2(b)for maternity and paternity leave, an unbroken period of up to one week atthe time of the birth of the child;for adoption leave, an unbroken period of up to three weeks at the time ofplacement of the child27.3 Right to request27.3.1 An employee entitled to parental leave pursuant to the provisions of clause 27.2may request the employer to allow the employee:27.3.1(a)to extend the period of simultaneous unpaid parental leave provided for inclauses 21.2.2 up to a maximum of eight weeks;27.3.1(b) to extend the period of unpaid parental leave provided for in clause 27.2.1by a further continuous period of leave not exceeding 12 months;27.3.1(c)to return from a period of parental leave on a part-time basis until the childreaches school age;to assist the employee in reconciling work and parental responsibilities.27.3.2 The employer shall consider the request having regard to the employee’scircumstances and, provided the request is genuinely based on the employee’sCommunity Sector Multiple Enterprise Agreement 2009