If an employee become pregnant while in employment, they are entitled to take maternity leave. The entitlement to a basic period of maternity leave from employment extends to all female employees (including casual workers), regardless of how long they have been working for the organisation or the number of hours worked per week.
They can also avail of additional unpaid maternity leave. The Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004 provide statutory minimum entitlements in relation to maternity at work including maternity leave.