AESA PROGRAMMES

Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Sick Leave Policy

Data Privacy and Protection Policy The AAS Cost Guidelines Conflict of Interest Policy Open Access and Publishing Policy Acceptance of Grants Policy Policy on Undertakings Intellectual Property and Commercialization Policy Non-Financial Research Misconduct Policy Materials and Consumables Policy Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Sick Leave Policy Travel, Subsistence and Visa Costs Policy Tobacco Funded Research Policy Scientific Citizenship Policy Policy on Supervision Supplements Policy Termination of Grants Policy Transfer of Grant and Equipment Policy Policy on Virement The AAS Grant Terms and Conditions WhistleBlower Policy AAS Constitution Dec 2018 signed 14 June 2021

Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Sick Leave Policy

 

Purpose

This policy provides guidelines for management of absence from innovation and research careers necessitated by family commitments and health related matters.

Policy Statement

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) will normally abide by the terms and conditions of the employing organisation regarding maternity/paternity/adoption leave and pay. In the absence of national and statutory guidelines, AAS will adopt the minimum requirements set out in the Employment Act of the grant holders host country.

a) Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave and Pay

  • The AAS will provide the actual costs incurred by the employing organisation in meeting the individual’s salary for the period he/she is on maternity/paternity/adoption leave, less any recoverable statutory pay as required by law. 

b) Supplementation

  • Supplementation for maternity/paternity/adoption leave support is only provided once AAS receives confirmation from the employing organisation that the individual is returning to work.  Refer to the AAS Supplements Pay for more details.

c) Extension of Grant

  • To ensure that students do not lose research time as a result of taking maternity/paternity/adoption leave, the end date will be studentships will normally be extended in time for the period equivalent to the maternity/paternity/adoption leave taken, to a maximum of 90 calendar days.
  • The AAS will also allow other grants to be extended in time for the period equivalent to the maternity/paternity/adoption leave taken (again, normally up to 90 calendar days), if requested (this includes cases where individuals may be returning to work after the current end date of the grant). 
  • In cases where the individual is taking parental leave close to the end date of the grant, requests for no-cost extensions should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and advice should be sought from the authorizing Programme Manager.   See the AAS No-Cost Extensions Policy for further information.

d) Flexible Working

  • Individuals may wish to return to work from maternity, paternity or adoption leave on a part-time basis. Provided the employing organisation agrees, AAS would normally have no objections to such an arrangement. 
  • Where additional research costs are requested, the grant will normally be supplemented for no more than a period equivalent to the length of time the grant holder was on leave, regardless of whether the individual is returning to work on a full-time or part-time basis. 

Procedure

  • Grant holders should follow the terms and conditions of the employing institution when applying for maternity, paternity or adoption leave.
  • The host institution will request for reimbursement of costs incurred as a result of maternity, paternity or adoption leave once they confirm that the individual is returning to work. 
  • AAS will supplement grants according to the actual costs incurred by the employing institution in paying an individual's salary while on maternity, paternity, adoption or sick leave (less any recoverable statutory pay).