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Taking maternity leave: what domestic workers need to know

How long you can take off, whether you’ll be paid, and how AskMandla helps you claim UIF.

🤰 You have the right to take maternity leave

If you’re pregnant and working, the law gives you the right to 4 months of maternity leave.
This applies to:

  • Domestic workers

  • Gardeners

  • Part-time or full-time employees

You don’t have to work for a certain amount of time before you're allowed to take leave.

📅 How long is maternity leave?

You may take up to 4 months (about 17 weeks).
You can:

  • Start your leave 4 weeks before your baby is due

  • Or earlier if your doctor or nurse tells you to

  • You may not return to work in the first 6 weeks after giving birth, unless a doctor says it’s safe

💸 Will you get paid?

Your employer is not required by law to pay you during maternity leave.
But don’t worry, you can apply for UIF maternity benefits to get some money during this time.

AskMandla will help with the forms and documents you need.

🧾 What you need to claim UIF maternity benefits

You’ll need:

  • Your ID book or card

  • A bank account in your name

  • Your baby’s due date letter (from a clinic or doctor)

  • Payslips or proof of earnings (AskMandla provides this)

  • UIF forms (AskMandla helps generate these)

📲 Message us: “Maternity UIF help” on WhatsApp
We’ll help you step by step.

🧠 What happens after the baby?

When your 4 months are over, you can return to your job.
Your employer must:

  • Keep your job open

  • Let you return to the same or similar position

  • Give you time to adjust if needed

If you decide not to return, let your employer and AskMandla know. This may count as a resignation, and we’ll help with the paperwork.

🛠️ What AskMandla does for you

  • Reminds your employer to log your maternity leave

  • Prepares your UIF forms

  • Sends your payslips

  • Answers your questions on WhatsApp

  • Helps you return to work smoothly

💛 You are protected

The law says:

Your employer cannot fire you for being pregnant or for taking maternity leave. That would be automatically unfair.

If something doesn’t feel right, contact us and we’ll help explain your rights.