1 general conditions of employment - Department of Education and ...

4 LEAVE4.2.6 GENERAL CONDITIONSThe provisions below apply to adoption, maternity and parental leave, except as otherwiseprovided.4.2.6.1 Department’s responsibilitiesa) On becoming aware that a staff member or the staff member’s spouse orpartner is pregnant, or that a staff member is adopting a child, the staffmember’s principal is to refer the staff member to Employee ServicesBathurst for advice on possible entitlements and obligations under theseprocedures (including the return to work provisions in Section 4.2.6.8).b) DiscriminationNo staff member can be terminated because:• the staff member or the staff member’s spouse or partner is pregnantor has given birth to a child; or• the staff member or the staff member’s spouse or partner has appliedto adopt a child or has adopted a child; or• the staff member has applied for, or is absent, on adoption leave,maternity leave or parental leave.c) Communication while on leaveWhere a staff member is on adoption, maternity or parental leave and adefinite decision has been made to introduce significant change at theworkplace (for example a workplace restructure), the Department shall takereasonable steps to:• make information available in relation to any significant effect thechange will have on the status or responsibility level of the positionthe staff member held before commencing leave; and• provide an opportunity for the staff member to discuss any significanteffect the change will have on the status or responsibility level of theposition the staff member held before commencing leave.Generally, communication will be facilitated by school principals.4.2.6.2 Staff member’s responsibilitiesa) Application for leaveAt least one month prior to the proposed first day of leave, a staff memberwho is intending to take adoption, maternity or parental leave must submit tothe principal or their nominee:i) an application via the Department’s electronic leave applicationsystem (e-laps) or by submission of a paper based application forleave which states the first and last date of leave;Handbook for non teaching staff in schools 2007 Page 4 - 12