Work experience and maternity leave

[Welshieabroad]

Hello,

I have two questions that I don't seem to be able to get a straight answer for. The official guidance is so vague.

1. Does maternity leave count as work experience for the visa? I have 2 years 9 months without maternity leave and 3 years 6 months with maternity leave included, so it is very important to know either way.

2. If maternity leave is included, is it just the fully paid portion or can some on reduced rate count too. I get 3 months full pay, 3 months half pay then 3 months statutory. Can some of this count or all?

Thanks

[Cheery Thistle]

My mat leave counted as I was still employed, it’s not treated as a break. 

[Welshieabroad]

For the visa? I can see people saying it doesn't matter for the teacher pay scale but not sure about the visa.

Did all of it count, or just the paid section?

How long ago?

Thanks so much

[Welshieabroad]

Sorry, one more question too!

Did you send payslips in that showed your mat leave too? I've been advised to send 4 payslips per year so they will show some with no pay?

[paulhand]

From the Department’s policy manual for points calculation: “As employment must be for remuneration, only periods of leave on full pay will be counted as time during which an applicant was employed. This means those periods of extended leave without pay (for example, maternity or paternity leave) will not be counted as a period of employment.”

[Welshieabroad]

Ahhh the thing I saw but it said 'may not' so it wasn't so straight cut.

Hmmmm.... It's cutting it fine if I claim three years then