Although you don't get full maternity benefits until you have been working for a year with that employer, you do get 45 calendar days maternity leave at half pay. At least that is the case for 'on-shore' companies I understand -not sure if the freezones have different provisions.
I would be tempted to stick it out until you probation period is over before you tell them if at all possible. At least then if you get made redundant you will get a bit more of a notice period or they might like you enough to keep you on.
thanks TIPtoptoni for the advice :) i am going to follow your advice to the tee.
Although you don't get full maternity benefits until you have been working for a year with that employer, you do get 45 calendar days maternity leave at half pay. At least that is the case for 'on-shore' companies I understand -not sure if the freezones have different provisions.
I would be tempted to stick it out until you probation period is over before you tell them if at all possible. At least then if you get made redundant you will get a bit more of a notice period or they might like you enough to keep you on.
You will need be a year with the company to get any benefits.
Remember if your in probation they have the right to fire you with 1 day notice therefore they could throw any reason at you i.e cutting down on staff when in reality they are firing you because your pregnant.
I kept my pregnancy from my employer for a few weeks only and that was only because when I found out I was hardly like 5 weeks pg and didnt feel right sharing with anyone but dh at the time. I wanted to wait till 12 weeks to tell my employer but m/s started well before then so ended up telling them at 10 weeks.
<em>edited by Hugsys on 28/05/2012</em>
so then i gather i should probably tell them when i start to show so i atleast have a paycheck until then. as i have realised as a newbie to dubai ,life here is super expensive!
You are right dramaqn. The law requires you to have worked with the company for a minimum of one year to avail the maternity leave benefits. If one year is not completed, you will get 45 days maternity leave, but without pay.
I might be wrong but I think you need to be with them for a year to benefit from full pay maternity leave. Overall, by law, you are allowed to have 45 days maternity leave. After that, in case you bf, you can take 2 x 30min break for bf or practically, either combine this 1 hour with your lunch break or if company permits, leave work 1 hour early.