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Pregnancy and work

At Flinders, we understand that every pregnancy and every child is different. The University wishes to support all potentially pregnant, pregnant and breastfeeding staff and accommodate every possible scenario.

If you require more information or need help on a topic not listed below, please contact the Equal Opportunity team and we will try to find a way with the University to accommodate your needs.

Pregnancy support structures

Keeping in touch

Breastfeeding

Child care

Contact

Support groups

Midwifery support

Special car park permits

Information for supervisors

Pregnancy support

The following support structures are usually available. A staff member should discuss their needs with their supervisor.
 

Continuing/contract staff:

Up to 52 weeks maternity leave of which:

  • up to 18 weeks may be paid (at either full-pay or half-pay) – the length of the paid component being dependent on length of service prior to the expected date of birth
  • the balance is unpaid (although long-service leave and annual leave may be used during this period).

Casual staff:

Casual staff are not entitled to parental leave but still need to comply with the requirements regarding working before and after the expected birth (normally 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after the birth). They are still protected by the Federal Sex Discrimination Act.

All staff:

 

Adoption

Similar arrangements to those specified above are available to staff who adopt a child.

Partner

One week’s paid leave and (where the partner is the primary care-giver) up to 51 weeks unpaid leave.

Keeping in touch

You may wish to keep in touch with what is happening at work while you are away, so consider discussing with your supervisor how you would like to do this. Would you like to remain on email lists? Would you prefer only to get in touch when you wish to?

Use our keeping in touch discussion tool to assist you to think about this and create a plan for you and your supervisor to discuss.

Find out more about keeping in touch

The sorts of things you might wish to know whilst are leave could be:
 
  • Changes or restructures to the work area;
  • Positions vacant;
  • Promotion rounds;
  • Calls for OSP/OCL;
  • Enterprise bargaining negotiations;
  • Professional development activities;
  • Diversity forum;
  • Social events.

Breastfeeding

Flinders supports breastfeeding mums!

Flinders University supports women who wish to breastfeed their babies after they return to work or while they are studying. Women are welcome to breastfeed their babies wherever they feel comfortable on campus. In addition, facilities are available for staff and students who need a private space to breastfeed or to express milk.

Flinders is accredited with the Australian Breastfeeding Association as a breastfeeding friendly workplace.

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Available facilities

All facilities can be used by staff and students.

Fridges are located in staff common rooms throughout the campus. Students are welcome to store clearly labelled breastmilk in these fridges and should talk to staff in the college office for assistance. Staff can store clearly labeled breastmilk in their closest staff kitchen facilities.

The rooms listed have the following:

  • Hand-basin and/or kitchen sink
  • Chair and table
  • Power point
  • Lockable door

Note: The Medical School has a breastfeeding room with table and chair and power point and an ensuite bathroom

Sturt campus

Level 2 West Wing 'Parenting Room' (Includes armchairs, sink, hand-basin and change table)

Student Hub
Level 0 near kitchen facilities

Tonsley
Level 0 next to toilets (x12297)

 

Lactation breaks

A staff member who is breastfeeding is entitled to regular breaks in paid time for lactation purposes. Supervisors are required to provide reasonable flexibility for this purpose, and breastfeeding staff members should consider both organisational and personal needs when determining the timing of breaks.

Resources

For assistance with breastfeeding and returning to work or study you can also contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA).

You can also contact the Equal Opportunity and Diversity team for any other queries. 

Child care

There are two community child care centres that operate from Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre sites at Bedford Park:

Another centre operates at Science Park:

Most child care centres have a waiting list for new children. Depending on when you wish to return to work, you may need to put your name on waiting lists for child care centres even before your child is born.

When considering the locations of child care centres and putting your name on waiting lists, think about whether it will be more convenient for your child to be closer to home or closer to work. It may open up more opportunities to consider all the possible options.

Once you are on waiting lists, make sure you follow up with centres on a regular basis - most centres suggest on a monthly basis.

Apart from child care centres, Family Day Care provides another option for child care. Care is provided in a person's home, and providers are qualified educators of children - more information is at Family Day Care Australia. 

Support groups

Maternity Leavers' forums

The Manager and Equal Opportunity and Diversity at Flinders University are responsible for reporting to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency on the policies and initiatives at Flinders that assist in removing barriers to employment for women. 

We are particularly keen to be supportive of our pregnant and potentially pregnant employees and employees who are breastfeeding. 

We hold maternity leave discussion forums twice a year for staff and supervisors - anyone with an interest in issues impacting on pregnant or breastfeeding women (supervisors, those thinking of becoming pregnant, returned from maternity leave, breastfeeding) both male and female are welcome to attend. 

Are you pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant? Or returned from maternity leave, or breastfeeding?

These forums are an opportunity to find out about policies and available support, as well as to let us know any difficulties you might have come across.
 

Are you interested in issues impacting on pregnant or breastfeeding women?

Everyone is welcome to attend these forums - male and female.
 

What will we discuss?

The format for the forum is informal, with no strict agenda, but the sort of issues we usually discuss include:

  • Information on discrimination, rights and responsibilities
  • Leave (antenatal, maternity, partner; paid/half pay/unpaid; etc)
  • Support women found helpful during pregnancy at work
  • Support for breastfeeding
  • Flexible return to work arrangements
  • Keeping in touch while on maternity leave
  • Pregnancy and parenting online community

When is the next forum and how do I register?

Please visit the link below for more information on the next forum and how to register.

Are you a supervisor?

One of the ways Flinders can better support pregnant and breastfeeding staff is by supporting their supervisors - please come and find out more, or talk to us about how we can better support you.

Pregnancy & parenting online community

Welcome to Flinders 'virtual' community of working parents.

This community was developed for staff who are expecting a baby (both mothers and fathers), parents, those who may be considered starting a family, as well as others who may need to support these staff (managers etc.).

You can enrol yourself in the community by following these steps:

  1. Go to the Pregnancy and parenting online community page in FLO
  2. You will get a notice that says "Guests cannot access this topic, please try to log in". Click "Continue".
  3. Log into FLO using your username and password
  4. Click "Enrol me". You will now have the Pregnancy & parenting online community appearing in your list of topics.

Women's Reference group

The Women's Reference group operates as a fluid group of interested women convened by the Manager and Equal Opportunity and Diversity Committee.

Learn more about Women's Reference group

Midwifery support

Are you interested in sharing this special time with a midwifery student?

As part of their education, midwifery students follow women through their pregnancy, birth and postnatal period under the direct supervision of a registered midwife. They learn about women during pregnancy, birth and the first weeks at home with a new baby. This helps them understand more of what midwifery is about and how they can better work with women.

You will get to know the midwifery student who will offer support throughout the antenatal, birthing and postnatal experience. You are always in charge and can decide what you want to share with the student.

You can change your mind about having a student at any time. Your choices and maternity care will not be affected in any way.

A student can support you wherever you choose to birth.

Find out more about Midwifery support

Special car park permits

A short-term disability parking permit is available to pregnant staff from 30 weeks gestation onwards by visiting the Practice Nurse at Health and Counselling. If there is a problem prior to 30 weeks that necessitates a special parking permit, written evidence from a treating medical professional is required. These permits are only valid when displayed with an annual, semester or day permit.

If you are a staff member breastfeeding a child in the Child Care Centre, a special parking permit may be available through application to the Equal Opportunity and Diversity team.

Need help?

Do you need support in relation to a complaint of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or bullying? 

(08) 8201 3735

equal.opportunity@flinders.edu.au

EO Contact Officers

Flinders University Logo

Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042

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Last Updated: 21 Nov 2019
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