I know teachers work hard and don't get paid enough, but damn your leave sounds amazing. I'll be going back to work around the time your summer break starts, so you get an extra 2 months with the baby with no "penalty".
So things are totally different in Canada where I live . I am on sick leave now from my doctor because my work environment was to stressful and not healthy for baby and me. I get sick leave for up to 15 weeks and it's paid by employment insurance . After my 15 weeks is up baby girl should be here and then I get 52 weeks off for maternity leave that I can split with my SO or take all myself. It is also covered under employment insurance. So we get a lot longer then you guys and it's paid by our government . As far as I know employers do not ever cover paid leave for Matt leave it's always the government.
Some employers will top up some of your pay during mat leave. The EI program only pays something like 55% of your salary, to a maximum.
Anyway, our situation in Canada is very different and I've stayed out of this thread as Americans have different concerns like FMLA, etc.
I always work up until I am in active labor. I don't want to lose a single day with my baby. It's hard enough for me to go back at 3-4 mo post-partum (my work isn't super locked into the 12 wk mark, I took 13-14 with DD1). My job isn't strenuous physically, it's primarily desk-based.
I am lucky to get the full 12 wks paid. I've been here nearly 15 yrs and once you hit 10 years the full 12 wks is paid. I may choose to take a few extra weeks unpaid this time to extend it. I am going to see how I feel and how things are going.
@cafedisco It's definitely stressful, but doable. My year was not a total loss because of it, but it did make it more difficult for me to go back to work and drop DS off at day care every day to deal with the chaos. If you want those snuggles, take the leave and get them! Babies are only babies for a little while.
@pammasu0909 If it's any consolation, I don't get paid over the summer.
@teamla I'm not in Canada, but I'd love to hear more about your maternity leave laws/regulations. I like to be jealous of other countries apparently....
@teamla I'm not in Canada, but I'd love to hear more about your maternity leave laws/regulations. I like to be jealous of other countries apparently....
Okay - I honestly just feel bad (and angry on your behalf!) whenever mat leave comes up!
We have maternity leave for moms of (I think) 17 weeks, with a one week waiting period. The remainder of the 52 weeks is the parental leave program of 35 weeks which can be used by either or both parents, of a biological or newly adopted child.
You get 55% of your average weekly earnings per week, up to something like a salary of 45K. So it maxes out around $550 a week, and is taxable like other income. But it's enough, often with savings, to allow most people to take the year off.
All working Canadians pay into this program - it is part of the larger Employment Insurance program which also covers you if you lose your job, etc. To get benefits, you have to have worked at least 600 hours in the past year (so that you're paying into it).
Some employers do top up, because the max amount under the program is relatively low for many professionals, especially in higher cost of living cities. But many don't.
It's a well-loved program. The vast majority of women take the year off without worry, as they're being paid and they must be given the same or equivalent job by their employer when they return to work. The crunch for daycare happens when babies are a year old.
@teamla The pay part actually sounds very similar to what I have here in CA. I think you have to work more than 600 hours in the past year to get it, but I'm not sure on the exact amount. But the time off! That sounds amazing! I would definitely take 55% pay and stay home for a year. I think it would be totally worth it!
@Hirish1984 have you asked at all about working from home? Especially with having a desk job, is there any reason you can't work remotely even if just for 2 of 5 days a week? That's what I plan to do my last month. I also have about a one hour commute, it definitely wears you down.
If only we had waited one more year, NYS has passed the law in 2018 maternity/paternity leave is covered for 50% of your income for 12 weeks. My husband may take leave next January since it will be within a year of birth. Oh well. I will get 6 weeks paid FMLA for "my recovery," two weeks paid parental bonding that runs simultaneous with FMLA, and then unpaid 4 weeks FMLA for "care of another." I get 8 weeks paid instead of 6 for A C-section. Small consolation for literally having your guts ripped out.
I hope to be able to work right until I'm due. As for time off, 4 weeks off and then I'll start back up part time for a month or two and then go back to full time.. Good news is that I'll be able to work from home. DH will be able to take Pat leave (yay Canada) and so he can help look after LO on days I'm working.
MMC @ 10w March 2016 Cautiously expecting April 5, 2017
I am very very lucky that my employer changed our parental leave policy in 2016 so the primary care giver gets 12 weeks paid after the birth. I can take Short term disability before that if I need to. I can also add vacation time to my leave so I think I'm going to be off 14-15 weeks total.
Parental leave in this country definitely needs an overhaul.
I work in an office and sit on my fat ass all day, which is extremely painful. There are days I really don't know how i'll make it through. But the plan is still go work until my water breaks basically LOL then I take the full 12 weeks. I can combine PTO with STD and FMLA so I will get paid something on a regular basis and also cover the benefits cost. We have some savings (and still need to file taxes) that will help with the not getting paid situation.
Re: Maternity Leave
Anyway, our situation in Canada is very different and I've stayed out of this thread as Americans have different concerns like FMLA, etc.
I always work up until I am in active labor. I don't want to lose a single day with my baby. It's hard enough for me to go back at 3-4 mo post-partum (my work isn't super locked into the 12 wk mark, I took 13-14 with DD1). My job isn't strenuous physically, it's primarily desk-based.
I am lucky to get the full 12 wks paid. I've been here nearly 15 yrs and once you hit 10 years the full 12 wks is paid. I may choose to take a few extra weeks unpaid this time to extend it. I am going to see how I feel and how things are going.
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
@pammasu0909 If it's any consolation, I don't get paid over the summer.
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
We have maternity leave for moms of (I think) 17 weeks, with a one week waiting period. The remainder of the 52 weeks is the parental leave program of 35 weeks which can be used by either or both parents, of a biological or newly adopted child.
You get 55% of your average weekly earnings per week, up to something like a salary of 45K. So it maxes out around $550 a week, and is taxable like other income. But it's enough, often with savings, to allow most people to take the year off.
All working Canadians pay into this program - it is part of the larger Employment Insurance program which also covers you if you lose your job, etc. To get benefits, you have to have worked at least 600 hours in the past year (so that you're paying into it).
Some employers do top up, because the max amount under the program is relatively low for many professionals, especially in higher cost of living cities. But many don't.
It's a well-loved program. The vast majority of women take the year off without worry, as they're being paid and they must be given the same or equivalent job by their employer when they return to work. The crunch for daycare happens when babies are a year old.
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
Cautiously expecting April 5, 2017
<a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img src="http://lmtf.lilypie.com/ZBoVm5.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie Maternity tickers" /></a>
Parental leave in this country definitely needs an overhaul.
DD Born 5.9.12
MC March 2016@8.5w
Expecting #2 4/30/17
then I take the full 12 weeks. I can combine PTO with STD and FMLA so I will get paid something on a regular basis and also cover the benefits cost.
We have some savings (and still need to file taxes) that will help with the not getting paid situation.