Sickness following maternity

Q. A member due to go back to work following maternity leave cannot do so because she is sick. What will her sickness entitlement be?

A. If a woman is unable to return to work at the end of her maternity leave owing to illness, she is to be treated as if she had returned and is on sick leave. She is entitled to receive the same sickness benefits as an employee who has not been on maternity leave, but she will also have to comply with the same requirements for notifying her employer of her illness.