work experience and maternity leave

[R.R]

Hi all,

If I have worked for around 4 yrs ; for ex; from 2003 jan to 2007 Jan, and was on maternity leave from May 2004 to Dec 2004, how should I be calculating my work experience? will it be  yrs or 3.5 yrs, and should my employer mention about this gap in the reference letter, or can he just mention the start date and end date.

Even if I dont mention about this gap the CIO will know when they look at my child's DOB, so would like to avoid any further queries which might delay the process.

Thanks & Regards
R.R

[Pippin]

Your hours of work would not include time you were off on Mat Leave as far as I know.  I do not know if it is specifically mentioned on the website so it would be interesting to hear from the Seniors.  I know in a work situation that time would not count toward seniority/experience.  If your employer does not indicate the time clearly in the reference letter you might want to attach a cover letter of explanation.  Hopefully, you have additional work experience before or after that period that will bring you up to the full points for 4 years of work experience.

[nano24482]

Your hours of work would not include time you were off on Mat Leave as far as I know.  I do not know if it is specifically mentioned on the website so it would be interesting to hear from the Seniors.  I know in a work situation that time would not count toward seniority/experience.  If your employer does not indicate the time clearly in the reference letter you might want to attach a cover letter of explanation.  Hopefully, you have additional work experience before or after that period that will bring you up to the full points for 4 years of work experience.

Rightly said.
I second it. A year and a half of leave(maternity or otherwise) is too long to be ignored. Hopefully you have your 67 points.

[R.R]

Rightly said.
I second it. A year and a half of leave(maternity or otherwise) is too long to be ignored. Hopefully you have your 67 points.

Sorry, I was on maternity leave for 6 months only, the dates are May 2004 to Dec 2004 , it was a typing error.

Seniors please advise...........

[Pippin]

Whether Mat Leave was 6 or 18 months I don't think there is any difference.  It should not count as work experience......(we all know Mat Leave is still WORK, but not in the NOC sense, LOL).

[R.R]

Whether Mat Leave was 6 or 18 months I don't think there is any difference.  It should not count as work experience......(we all know Mat Leave is still WORK, but not in the NOC sense, LOL).

Thanks pippin, okay now we count the experience as 3.5 yrs, but what about the reference letter should my employer write a break up of the tenure of work or can he simply write from 2003 Jan to 2007 Jan.

[Pippin]

Your employer can indicate you worked from Jan 2004 to Jan 2007 during which time you took a 6 month Maternity Leave (xxxx-xxxx dates).  That way you are absolutely honest and if CIO wants to read it as a full 4 years, that's great, but you have spelled out your leave accurately.  What do you think?

[R.R]

Your employer can indicate you worked from Jan 2004 to Jan 2007 during which time you took a 6 month Maternity Leave (xxxx-xxxx dates).  That way you are absolutely honest and if CIO wants to read it as a full 4 years, that's great, but you have spelled out your leave accurately.  What do you think?

Thanks Pippin, that seems perfect, that way I can be honest and avoid doubts in the mind of the visa officer.