The 2021-22 NSW Budget will support public sector employees with paid special miscarriage and pre-term birth leave.
The new provisions. which come into effect on July 1, will be available to eligible full-time and part-time, ongoing, and temporary NSW Government employees where an employee or their spouse’s pregnancy ceases by way of miscarriage up to 20 weeks’ gestation.
NSW Nationals Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said under the changes, special paid leave provisions will also be provided for employees who have pre-term births.
“A new arrival is always a cause for celebration but sometimes an early entry can have unexpected consequences,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This leave for mothers who give birth to a pre-term baby, and their partners, will be available from the date of the early birth, up to when the birth normally would have been expected.
“It will be provided in addition to the paid parental leave that is available to employees whose baby is born after 37 weeks, ensuring families with pre-term babies have the time and resources they need for the best possible start to life.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said as workplaces continue to evolve it was incumbent on government to lead the way in recognising an important way to support the workforce during a particularly tough time.
“We know that losing a child even in the early stages of pregnancy can be devastating, so this year’s Budget is introducing measures to support NSW Government sector employees, allowing them to take five days paid special leave if this occurs,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Providing public sector employees with paid leave to cover the early stages of pregnancy expands on existing leave entitlements and cements the NSW Government as an employer of choice, with these provisions providing a more generous benefit than is available to public sector employees in many other jurisdictions.
“We want NSW Government employees to know the government has their back when tragedies like these occur, and that they will have time to process their loss without having to worry about financial or work-related pressures.”
