The employer shall be notified of leave of absence pursuant to sections 12-2 to 12- 6 as early as possible and not later than one week in advance in the case of absence in excess of two weeks, not later than four weeks in advance in the case of absence in excess of twelve weeks and not later than twelve weeks in advance in the case of absence in excess of one year. Disregarding such notice periods shall not entail that an employee must postpone the leave of absence if it is necessary owing to circumstances unknown to the employee before the expiry of the notice period.
