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Not sure what industry you're in, but generally you can go back earlier if you choose, but not later unless it's been agreed to by your manager
Your work should have a policy which says, but generally you can give an amount of notice and come back early (usually it’s in the vicinity of 4-10 weeks). Just depends if they’ve hired someone on a mat leave contract to replace you for the duration of your leave. It’s a bit of give & take - just what’s reasonable and what they can facilitate… smaller workplaces may find it harder to have you return a lot earlier if it means it’ll cost them a lot to pay for two salaries. Most workplaces are pretty fair though. Chat to your HR if you have one. You can legally extend too, up to an additional 12 months.
Thanks, Estelle, so it's industry dependent? You used the word generally, so there is no law as such? So they can say no?
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/parental-leave/during-parental-leave/extending-parental-leave#:~:text=employer%20and%20employee.-,Extending%20leave%20beyond%20the%20first%2012%20months,or%20placement%20of%20the%20child. https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/parental-leave/during-parental-leave/ending-parental-leave-early#:~:text=and%20infant%20death.-,Employee%20asks%20to%20return%20to%20work,to%20the%20new%20return%20date.
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Thank you, Grace. It's very clear on there that they can say no 😬. That would be shit. Let's hope that is not the case for me. X
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