Maternity Leave Rules for AP Government Employees in 2023

 Maternity leave is an important policy that allows working women to take time off work for the birth and care of their child without the fear of losing their job. It is a crucial policy for both the health of the mother and the newborn child, and for gender equality in the workplace. In Andhra Pradesh, the government has implemented a set of maternity leave rules for its employees, which we will discuss in this article.

Maternity Leave Entitlement

The Andhra Pradesh government employees are entitled to maternity leave for a maximum of 180 days, or six months. This leave is granted to female employees who have completed at least one year of service. This means that women who have not completed one year of service are not eligible for maternity leave.

The government has also made provisions for women who have had a miscarriage. Women who have had a miscarriage are entitled to a maximum of 45 days of maternity leave.

Maternity Leave for Adoptive Mothers

In addition to biological mothers, adoptive mothers are also entitled to maternity leave. The Andhra Pradesh government employees who adopt a child below the age of three months are entitled to maternity leave for a maximum of 180 days.

This is an important provision as it recognizes the importance of bonding time between adoptive mothers and their newborn children. It also provides equal opportunities for both biological and adoptive mothers to take care of their children.

Salary and Benefits During Maternity Leave

During maternity leave, the employee is entitled to full pay and benefits. This means that the employer must continue to pay the employee's salary, and the employee is entitled to all other benefits, such as medical insurance and provident fund contributions.

This is an important provision as it ensures that the employee does not suffer financially during her maternity leave. It also recognizes the fact that maternity leave is a necessary time off for the employee's health and the health of her child.

Extension of Maternity Leave

In some cases, the employee may require additional time off beyond the 180 days of maternity leave. The Andhra Pradesh government employees are entitled to an extension of maternity leave for a maximum of two years.

This extension is granted in case the employee has a medical condition that prevents her from returning to work or if the employee needs to take care of the child due to unforeseen circumstances. However, during this extended period, the employee will not be entitled to salary or benefits.

This provision recognizes the fact that some women may require additional time off beyond the standard 180 days of maternity leave. It also provides a safety net for women who may require additional time off due to unforeseen circumstances.

Lactation Breaks

The Andhra Pradesh government has also made provisions for lactation breaks. Women who return to work after their maternity leave are entitled to two breaks of half an hour each, for nursing their child. These breaks are granted until the child reaches the age of 15 months.

This provision recognizes the importance of breastfeeding for the health of the child and the mother. It also provides support for working mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding their child after returning to work.

The following Government Orders (GOs) were released by the Andhra Pradesh (AP) Government with regard to Maternity Leave Rules:

1. GO.Ms.No.99, dated 5th June 2019 - This GO extends the period of maternity leave for women government employees from 180 days to 365 days. The GO also provides for 15 days of paternity leave to male government employees.
2. GO.Ms.No.155, dated 18th September 2019 - This GO clarifies that the maternity leave benefits granted under GO.Ms.No.99 are applicable to all women employees, including those working on a contract basis or on an outsourcing basis.
3. GO.Ms.No.62, dated 8th June 2020 - This GO provides for the reimbursement of maternity expenses up to a maximum of Rs. 15,000/- to women government employees who have opted for delivery in private hospitals.
4. GO.Ms.No.33, dated 27th February 2021 - This GO extends the benefit of maternity leave to women who are appointed on a contractual basis in government institutions, such as anganwadi workers, mini anganwadi workers, and helpers.

It's important to note that there could be more recent or additional GOs released by the AP Government with regard to Maternity Leave Rules since my knowledge cutoff of September 2021.

Conclusion

The maternity leave rules of Andhra Pradesh government employees are progressive and comprehensive.