Letter of Request for Maternity or Paternity Leave

A Letter of Request for Parental Leave is a letter written by an expectant female worker or a male worker (an expectant father) requesting a leave of absence from work during the time for delivery. Parental leave is taken by an employee to care for his or her newborn child.

According to the Nigerian Labour Act, female workers are entitled to twelve (12) weeks of maternity leave, to cover both pre-maternity and post-maternity periods. Out of this period, the employee will take six months after delivery. The maternity leave may begin six weeks before delivery if after providing a medical certificate, it is discovered that the labour may take place within six months. The duration of this maternity leave may exceed this period (12 weeks), however, it must not be below 12 weeks which is the minimum leave period for a female worker.

For a female worker to be entitled to maternity leave, she must have worked with the employer for a continuous period of at least six months. The female worker is also entitled to at least half of her wages during the period of the leave.

The law does not recognize paternity leave. However, the Lagos State civil servants are entitled to 10 days paternity leave and 24 weeks maternity leave with full pay in the first two deliveries, while any third and subsequent deliveries shall only attract 12 weeks maternity leave for the female workers and no paternity leave for the male workers. Also, some organizations make provisions for paternity leave in the employee's Employment Contract or staff manual/policy books.

How to use this document

This document can be used by a pregnant employee whose delivery date is fast approaching and it can also be used by an expectant father whose wife is about to give birth.

While making this application, the female employee must deliver this letter together with a medical certificate to the employer within a reasonable time so that the employer can make alternative arrangements for a substitute during the period of the leave.

Note that the period of making this application may vary depending on the rules of the organization.

After filling out this form, the employee must sign the document and deliver it to the employer or a person in the position to receive such letters (such as the human resources officer) on behalf of the employer. The employee will receive a response from the employer. Note that according to the law, the pregnant employee must be granted maternity leave within at least 6 (six) weeks before delivery upon the production of a medical certificate.

If the leave has been approved, the employee will be required to hand over office tasks to the appropriate person.

Applicable law

The Labour Act applies to Maternity leave requests, but the law does not recognize paternity leave. Also, the general rules of contract apply to this document.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.