THANK GOD FOR MATERNITY & PATERNITY LEAVES!

[Published in Manila Bulletin last February 2011]

With all the excitement of first-time parents, my husband and I welcomed our daughter’s arrival with tears of joy early last month. Upon rooming her in, however, our thrill quickly turned into panic as we listened helplessly to the shrill cries of our baby girl who wailed non-stop for one whole night.

No amount of breastfeeding attempt, swaddling, diaper change and cuddling could calm her down. Our feisty angel was angry and the whole nursery floor would hear about it as she had the loudest cry among the bunch of newborn babies that week. Her shrieks could be heard through the hospital hallways like a fire alarm that wouldn’t turn off. It was the most overwhelming 12-hour experience my husband and I ever encountered so far. In the midst of all that chaos, we agreed that the pressures of work pales in comparison to the challenges parents face day-to-day. So, thank God for Maternity and Paternity Leaves!

As business managers who pride ourselves of being strategic and systematic, we diligently did our homework prior to our baby’s birth. Like most parents, we read up as much as we can and watched Youtube videos on newborn care. But no amount of research could prepare us for the 7.8-pound loudspeaker that suddenly turned our life upside-down.

I realized then how important and helpful Maternity and Paternity leaves are. I now see these types of leaves as not just benefits companies are required by law to provide, but necessities. Parents need time off to care for and get to know their newborns. Mothers need to recover from the pains of birth and fathers are needed to keep everyone’s sanity in check.

But like a lot of benefits, not all employers and employees are aware of the details of Government-Mandated Maternity and Paternity Leaves. Here some basic information about these benefits.

MATERNITY LEAVE

According to the Handbook of Worker’s Statutory Monetary Benefits 2010 edition and based on RA 1161 (as amended by RA 8282), Maternity Leave is: “a benefit that applies to all female employees, whether married or unmarried. Every pregnant employee in the private sector is entitled to maternity leave benefit of sixty (60) days in case of normal delivery or miscarriage, or seventy-eight (78) days, in case of Caesarian section delivery, with benefits equivalent to one hundred percent (100%) of the average daily salary credit of the employee as defined under the law.

To be entitled to the maternity leave benefit, a female employee should be an SSS member employed at the time of her delivery or miscarriage; she must have given the required notification to the SSS through her employer; and her employer must have paid at least three monthly contributions to the SSS within the twelve-month
period immediately before the date of the contingency (i.e., childbirth or miscarriage).
The maternity leave benefit, like other benefits granted by the Social Security System (SSS), is granted to employees in lieu of wages. Thus, this may not be included in computing the employee’s thirteenth-month pay for the calendar year.” (Bureau of Working Conditions, Department of Labor and Employment, 2010)

Let me note that it is important that employers and their HR administrators be knowledgeable about SSS documentation, procedures and deadlines to ensure the smooth processing of such benefits. Likewise, pregnant employees must be responsible in notifying and submitting necessary documents to their HR department as early as the pregnancy is confirmed.

PATERNITY LEAVE

Meanwhile, to allow the husband to assist and support his wife during her period of recovery and in nursing her newborn child, the Paternity Leave (RA8187) is granted to all married male employees in the private sector, regardless of their employment status (e.g., probationary, regular, contractual, project basis).

The Paternity leave benefit consists of seven (7) calendar days, with full pay, consisting of basic salary and mandatory allowances fixed by the Regional Wage Board, if any, provided that his pay shall not be less than the mandated minimum wage. Nonconvertible to cash, it applies to the first four (4) deliveries of the employee’s lawful wife.

The Paternity leave may be used by a male employee after his wife has given birth or suffered a miscarriage. Following company policies, the employee must apply and notify his employer within a reasonable period of time from the expected date of delivery by his pregnant spouse. In case of a miscarriage, prior application for paternity leave shall not be required.

PARENTAL LEAVE BENEFIT FOR SOLO PARENTS

As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I have been lucky enough to have support in full-force from my husband, mother and family, friends and co-workers. Despite all the help, I still consider newborn care and parenting really challenging. I can only imagine the trials of single parents.

It seems lawmakers understand this as well for they have passed into law the Solo-parents Welfare Act (RA 8972). To help solo parents cope with the demands of single parenting, Parental Leave for Solo Parents is granted to any solo parent or individual who is left alone with the responsibility of parenthood. This consists of an additional leave for seven (7) work days every year, with full pay, consisting of basic salary and mandatory allowances fixed by the Regional Wage Board, if any, provided that his/her pay shall not be less than the mandated minimum wage.

There are specific conditions and procedures in order for solo parents to avail of this benefit. Employers and HR administrators must be aware of this to be able to guide single-parent employees on this benefit.

NEW PURPOSE FOR WORKING PARENTS

A month into my Maternity Leave, things have pretty much settled a bit on the home front. I am grateful for the time given to me to get to know my baby daughter, to recover from childbirth, to adjust to motherhood… and yes, even the crying sound of babies. This was all made possible because of maternity and paternity benefits. As I continue my leave and regain my sanity, I am becoming inspired to work better because there’s a new purpose in my life now as a new proud parent of a wonderfully feisty little girl.