Under the Maternity Benefit Program Act (MWP Act), employers are required to provide certain protections and benefits to working women who are pregnant, have recently given birth, or are breastfeeding. Some of the key benefits provided by the MWP Act include:
1) Protection from discrimination: The MWP Act prohibits discrimination against women based on their pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition. This includes discrimination in terms of terms of pay, hiring, promotion, and termination.
2) Maternity Leave: The Act provides for a mandatory 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, including 8 weeks of prenatal leave and 4 weeks of postnatal leave. The leave can begin up to 8 weeks before the expected date of delivery and must be taken within 12 months of delivery.
3) Medical Checkup: The Act also requires employers to provide medical checkups to pregnant women, regardless of where they work.
4) Job Security: The MWP Act protects women's job security during and after their maternity leave, ensuring that their employer cannot terminate or reduce the scope of their role while they are on leave.
5) Flexible Working Arrangements: The Act also provides employers with the option of offering flexible working arrangements to pregnant women, allowing them to adjust their work hours or work from home during their maternity leave.