Return To Work Following Maternity Leave

This Conference notes the continual progress being made by some Fire & Rescue Services/Brigades in updating their Maternity Policies. However, this Conference is concerned that the issues around new mothers returning to work are not being fully addressed. Issues such as mothers still breastfeeding, risk assessments, phased return and return to work training are not being addressed fully to ensure our women members are given the help and support they need after a period of maternity leave. This Conference therefore calls upon the Executive Council to instruct Brigade Officials, with the support of the National Womenʼs Committee Officials, to revisit their Fire & Rescue Service/Brigades maternity policy to ensure that return to work issues are addressed and implemented by management. We further call upon the Executive Council to report the progress back to the Womenʼs AGM 2008. This progress report to be forwarded to Brigade Committees.