Is a 6 week maternity leave fair?

justyhaunani

I found out that the company I have been working at for two years is giving me a 6 week paid maternity leave. I can't imagine leaving my child younger than 6 weeks old to work all day. What if I have my baby way after my leave starts? I have spoke with my manager and he tells me that's all they are allowed to give. Can this be true?

Texasmomma13

Are you for real with these questions today?
In the US 6 weeks is pretty standard maternity leave. A lot of companies don't even offer full pay. So, consider yourself lucky. If you want more, save your money to cover the income loss or move to Canada last year.

kflynn81

I can take up to 12 weeks off but its all unpaid so I guess its up to me how long I want to go without pay.

Misskris720

Wow. Paid maternity leave. I wish! Maybe you can save up your vacation days to add on to the 6 weeks of paid time off you're getting.

justyhaunani

Texasmomma13 said:

Are you for real with these questions today?
In the US 6 weeks is pretty standard maternity leave. A lot of companies don't even offer full pay. So, consider yourself lucky. If you want more, save your money to cover the income loss or move to Canada last year.

I'm 20 years old still in college. I'm asking a simple question. I'm new parenting and this is my first pregnancy, and yes I'm serious about the question I'm asking. I'm asking if this is fair because I've never had to discuss a maternity leave.

emadlma

I currently have 15 sick days so I will only get 3 weeks of my maternity leave paid for and the rest (6-7 weeks) will be lost wages and I may have to pay the company's portion of my insurance if I don't have any days covered in May.

knitfastdiewarm

I wish I had paid maternity leave! We only have the 12 unpaid weeks covered by FMLA.

alie78_80

Yes, American maternity leave is RIDICULOUS!  Companies need to give 6 weeks but not paid, which sucks.  Paid is great, but not companies have this.  I feel very fortunate that I have 12 weeks paid (because I have that sick time built up) and then summer vacation starts (teacher).  But that is totally not typical.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

justyhaunani

Misskris720 said:

Wow. Paid maternity leave. I wish! Maybe you can save up your vacation days to add on to the 6 weeks of paid time off you're getting.

I don't get vacation days! They also expect me right back at work after the 6 weeks but I am happy that they are offering to pay me while I'm gone I didn't know that was uncommon.

Texasmomma13

justyhaunani said:

Texasmomma13 said:

Are you for real with these questions today?
In the US 6 weeks is pretty standard maternity leave. A lot of companies don't even offer full pay. So, consider yourself lucky. If you want more, save your money to cover the income loss or move to Canada last year.

I'm 20 years old still in college. I'm asking a simple question. I'm new parenting and this is my first pregnancy, and yes I'm serious about the question I'm asking. I'm asking if this is fair because I've never had to discuss a maternity leave.

Whomever said there are No stupid questions was lying. There are. There are certain things that one should really do a little research about before bringing it here. We aren't your own personal Google. There are lots of other ways to educate yourself on life topics, like a book for instance.

And ftr, I knew what normal leave policies were at 20 years old. Being young is No excuse for being uninformed.

justyhaunani

Texasmomma13 said:

justyhaunani said:

Texasmomma13 said:

Are you for real with these questions today?
In the US 6 weeks is pretty standard maternity leave. A lot of companies don't even offer full pay. So, consider yourself lucky. If you want more, save your money to cover the income loss or move to Canada last year.

I'm 20 years old still in college. I'm asking a simple question. I'm new parenting and this is my first pregnancy, and yes I'm serious about the question I'm asking. I'm asking if this is fair because I've never had to discuss a maternity leave.

Whomever said there are No stupid questions was lying. There are. There are certain things that one should really do a little research about before bringing it here. We aren't your own personal Google. There are lots of other ways to educate yourself on life topics, like a book for instance.

And ftr, I knew what normal leave policies were at 20 years old. Being young is No excuse for being uninformed.

If you find my question stupid don't answer it. It's that simple.

Texasmomma13

justyhaunani said:

Texasmomma13 said:

justyhaunani said:

Texasmomma13 said:

Are you for real with these questions today?
In the US 6 weeks is pretty standard maternity leave. A lot of companies don't even offer full pay. So, consider yourself lucky. If you want more, save your money to cover the income loss or move to Canada last year.

I'm 20 years old still in college. I'm asking a simple question. I'm new parenting and this is my first pregnancy, and yes I'm serious about the question I'm asking. I'm asking if this is fair because I've never had to discuss a maternity leave.

Whomever said there are No stupid questions was lying. There are. There are certain things that one should really do a little research about before bringing it here. We aren't your own personal Google. There are lots of other ways to educate yourself on life topics, like a book for instance.

And ftr, I knew what normal leave policies were at 20 years old. Being young is No excuse for being uninformed.

If you find my question stupid don't answer it. It's that simple.

Lol! That's not really the way it works around here, sweetheart. Nice try though. Thanks for playing.

justyhaunani

Texasmomma13 said:

justyhaunani said:

Texasmomma13 said:

justyhaunani said:

Texasmomma13 said:

Are you for real with these questions today?
In the US 6 weeks is pretty standard maternity leave. A lot of companies don't even offer full pay. So, consider yourself lucky. If you want more, save your money to cover the income loss or move to Canada last year.

I'm 20 years old still in college. I'm asking a simple question. I'm new parenting and this is my first pregnancy, and yes I'm serious about the question I'm asking. I'm asking if this is fair because I've never had to discuss a maternity leave.

Whomever said there are No stupid questions was lying. There are. There are certain things that one should really do a little research about before bringing it here. We aren't your own personal Google. There are lots of other ways to educate yourself on life topics, like a book for instance.

And ftr, I knew what normal leave policies were at 20 years old. Being young is No excuse for being uninformed.

If you find my question stupid don't answer it. It's that simple.

Lol! That's not really the way it works around here, sweetheart. Nice try though. Thanks for playing.

Playing? Lol. Real mature.

justyhaunani

SharkFarts said:

It's just one hot button topic after another with you. I'm not playing anymore.

SharkFarts said:

It's just one hot button topic after another with you. I'm not playing anymore.

Marternity leave is a hot button topic? Interesting. If your not here to answer the question why waste your time writing all of that?

justyhaunani

baby_blessings said:

justyhaunani said:

It's just one hot button topic after another with you. I'm not playing anymore.

Marternity leave is a hot button topic? Interesting. If your not here to answer the question why waste your time writing all of that?

*you're

*you're

Texasmomma13

Op, here's some honest to goodness advice. Go lurker mode. Learn the way things work around here. Hang out on different boards. Then try to rejoin once you get the lay of the land. Because at the rate you're going you won't last long.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

justyhaunani

GrailSeeker14 said:

OP - seriously, this board is not your personal google. Stop clogging it with random questions and then getting all pissy with the responses. Your 20 is seriously showing, and if you took a moment to figure out how to constructively participate around here you'd find there are a lot of very educated, experienced, and seasoned women here who have much knowledge to share. But your approach to this board is already alienating many of those who might be really valuable resources for you here.

So you've never been 20 before? Your 20 has shown as well and I'm sure you didn't have seasoned women criticizing you for it. I'm an expectant mother. My only concern is making sure I get all my questions and worries answered about my child or about parenting In general. I deserve to be on this board. I'm not clogging this board and my question is just as valuable as any other forum. If you don't like what I post don't read or respond.

justyhaunani

Texasmomma13 said:

Op, here's some honest to goodness advice. Go lurker mode. Learn the way things work around here. Hang out on different boards. Then try to rejoin once you get the lay of the land. Because at the rate you're going you won't last long.

I won't last long? You sound like a bully. If I have a question I have the right to ask it.

Ashlealauren

Anddddd here we go with the "bully" term again.....

justyhaunani

I'm wondering how I will not last long? You forget women on this board are actually pregnant. I'm sure they teach their children to be rude, critical, judgmental, and heartless.

somewheresublime86

And here we go again...

drmrsmantis

justyhaunani said:

OP - seriously, this board is not your personal google. Stop clogging it with random questions and then getting all pissy with the responses. Your 20 is seriously showing, and if you took a moment to figure out how to constructively participate around here you'd find there are a lot of very educated, experienced, and seasoned women here who have much knowledge to share. But your approach to this board is already alienating many of those who might be really valuable resources for you here.

So you've never been 20 before? Your 20 has shown as well and I'm sure you didn't have seasoned women criticizing you for it. I'm an expectant mother. My only concern is making sure I get all my questions and worries answered about my child or about parenting In general. I deserve to be on this board. I'm not clogging this board and my question is just as valuable as any other forum. If you don't like what I post don't read or respond.

I think this is the problem--there's a pretty big difference between the culture you seem to feel you deserve, and the culture that actually exists on this board.  I don't think most of the women here feel that it's a place that exists to answer all their questions.  I can't imagine you consider the sole purpose of your IRL relationships to be having your questions and worries addressed, and this board shouldn't be any different.  

OctoberStars

OP, I had a not so graceful introduction to the March boards myself (hooray April fresh start!) due to a lack of lurking.  I also thought people were being mean, but that's not it at all.  People on here are full of snark, but they are actually trying to be helpful and point you in the right direction.  Also, snark is hilarious.  Do some quality lurking and you'll get a better feel for the types of questions that spark a good thread versus topics that get controversial quick.

PassTheNachos

This could be a fun drinking game...you know, if we weren't all KU.

somewheresublime86

PassTheNachos said:

This could be a fun drinking game...you know, if we weren't all KU.

I make a mean mocktail ladies!

OctoberStars

Tears for beers.  Thanks for the reminder (

Maybe I can pretend I'm in Italy where no one cares about drinking while pregnant.... sigh.... too responsible.

BrittneyHassRonnie

Be glad ! Where I work we don't get maternity leave . We just have to use our time and if we don't have it it's unpaid !! And sadly I will be one month shy of qualifying for FMLA . It's gonna be tough , . With my first I only had 2 weeks of the 6 paid

somewheresublime86

qanda2013 said:

I am an independent contractor, no such thing as maternity leave in this camp. Now I can't tell if I'm green from envy or ms.

Same here. Zip nada zilch. We'll make it work and save, but six weeks paid sounds pretty decadent from where I'm sitting.

purple_2012

I get whatever I have saved up in leave paid. Which will only be about 4ish weeks. Be thankful for what you get.

justyhaunani

Purple&7 said:

I get whatever I have saved up in leave paid. Which will only be about 4ish weeks. Be thankful for what you get.

I am defiantly grateful now that I know.

PassTheNachos

No need to be defiant.

justyhaunani

PassTheNachos said:

No need to be defiant.

Sorry my iPhone is changing my spelling. I'll spank it for you.

picklesx

For most companies a 6-week paid maternity leave (8 for csection births) is pretty common. Are they referring to 6 weeks following the baby's birth? With my company I can go on Short term disability (benefits I pay into) at 36 weeks or earlier if medically necessary and then my maternity leave begins the day the baby is born.

justyhaunani

picklesx said:

For most companies a 6-week paid maternity leave (8 for csection births) is pretty common. Are they referring to 6 weeks following the baby's birth? With my company I can go on Short term disability (benefits I pay into) at 36 weeks or earlier if medically necessary and then my maternity leave begins the day the baby is born.

The 6 weeks start the day I leave work.

Cate92

OMG please don't use age as an excuse. I'm 22 and it embarasses me to think you're trying to lump me in the same boat as you. Being young is not synonymous with being uneducated (and somewhat illiterate)

Don't be ignorant, use google, use the search function on the bump and stop getting pissy when people redirect you're ridiculous questions.

Cate92

Your*

justyhaunani

Cate92 said:

OMG please don't use age as an excuse. I'm 22 and it embarasses me to think you're trying to lump me in the same boat as you. Being young is not synonymous with being uneducated (and somewhat illiterate)

Don't be ignorant, use google, use the search function on the bump and stop getting pissy when people redirect you're ridiculous questions.

Sorry I'll try not to be "ignorant" for asking a simple question. Lol sorry I didn't get an education like you.

picklesx

justyhaunani said:

The 6 weeks start the day I leave work.

Then you should probably consider that you will be working up until you go into labor. Otherwise, if you have no vacation/sick time that you can cash in on, you should start considering budgeting for the time you will be out that is unpaid and read up on how FMLA works.

kjones115

Wow. You don't need to be a snarky bitch about it. She can google for sure but aren't these boards made for qsts. I'm 27 and don't know much about maternity leave or how much time I get. Instead of being rude just don't answer. Of course I could have ignored your comment but I'm feeling frisky and don't care.