Breaks of employment are also allowed in order to care for direct dependents after a qualifying period, usually 2 years. Similarly career breaks to raise children are allowed on an unpaid basis with the benefit of a position remaining for an employee on return. Often companies will require career break employees to return intermittently to work for short periods. Time off for personal reasons such as bereavement or to organise domestic arrangements are usually reviewed by a welfare or personnel officer. Each case will be judged separately and the solution found depending on the amount a leave required.
Maternity leave is dependent on the duration of service.
A new mother is prohibited from working 2 weeks after childbirth. Men often receive 1 week's paternity leave, although some of the benefits of maternity leave are now being passed on.