Clause 4

after subsection (1), insert —“(1A) A female employee mentioned in subsection (1) who has applied to adopt an April 2025 Scheme child must —

give to her employer a notice of at least the prescribed period (or any shorter period agreed between the employee and employer) before absenting herself from work under subsection (1)(a), unless the employee is prevented by any sufficient cause from doing so; and

specify in the notice given under paragraph (a) the date on which the employee intends to commence absenting herself from work under subsection (1)(a).”;

after subsection (6), insert —“(7) When a female employee absents herself from work in accordance with this section, it is not lawful for her employer to give her a notice of dismissal during her absence or on such a day that the notice will expire during her absence.(7A) Any employer who acts in contravention of subsection (7) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.”;

in subsection (10), replace “subsection (9)” with “subsection (7A) or (9)”; and

in subsections (11) and (12), replace “subsection (8) or (9)” wherever it appears with “subsection (7A), (8) or (9)”.