Maternity leave is time that a new mother can devote to resting and recovering after childbirth, as well as looking after her newborn. Are you wondering how much time off you are entitled to? The maternity leave calculator available online can help. With it, you can not only calculate the length of your leave, but also find out the approximate date of your return to work.

Who is entitled to maternity leave?

Maternity leave usually begins on the day of childbirth, is mandatory and fully paid. Under the Labour Code, it is available to every employee employed under an employment contract. It is worth noting that women employed under civil-law contracts (a contract of mandate or a specific-task contract), as well as those running their own businesses, are not entitled to it. 

What is the length of maternity leave?

The length of maternity leave depends on the number of children born in one delivery. The period is:

  • 20 weeks – for the birth of one child;
  • 31 weeks – for the birth of two children;
  • 33 weeks – for the birth of three children;
  • 35 weeks – for the birth of four children;
  • 37 weeks – for the birth of at least five children.

How does the maternity leave calculator work?

The online maternity leave calculator is an easy-to-use tool that will help you calculate the length of leave available after the birth of a child. To use the calculator, you need to provide:

  • the date of birth (or the date on which maternity leave begins, if it is to be used before the expected delivery date);
  • the number of children born.

Based on the data provided, the calculator will determine the approximate end date of maternity leave, as well as the end date of parental leave.

Maternity leave and pay

During maternity leave, for the first 20 weeks the mother receives a maternity allowance amounting to 100% of her salary. If, after the birth of the child, a woman submits an application for parental leave within 21 days, she will receive 80% of the assessment basis for one year.

Importantly, every woman who gave birth while covered by sickness insurance is entitled to the cash benefit – whether employed under an employment contract, a contract of mandate or self-employed.

When should you apply for maternity leave?

An application is necessary when maternity leave is to begin before the birth of the child. It is worth remembering, however, that it is available for no more than 6 weeks. What documents should be attached to the application? In this case, a medical certificate stating the expected delivery date will be necessary.

Women who decide to exercise their entitlement only after giving birth need to provide their employer only with a certificate confirming the birth and the child’s birth certificate.