Canadian Midway Check-In

bb3vj3n

Hey ladies 

Been a while since we spoke so I just thought I'd open up a half way point check in now that we are all there or almost there. 

How is everyone doing? Has anybody heard anything about the maternity leave changes? I haven't seen any updates?

Anyways - just wanted to say hi!

syssa-o

Last rumour I heard was that the new mat leave would be likely to come into effect with the new budget sooo June? But that’s just a rumour!


anyway, I know this is Canadian check in.... but to narrow it down to GTA moms for a second, if anyone is considering getting a 3D ultrasound done, PLEASE do not go to BabyView in Pickering! We went there with my son (2014) and they were great... they changed ownership by the time we went with our daughter (2015) and just a few weeks after our u/s it came to light that the new owner was not an ultrasound tech and was scamming people.... handing out generic ultrasound pics, giving inaccurate genders etc etc ANYWAY, all of that to say, they are still in business but I would definitely not recommend! If you google, all of the info will come up  

bb3vj3n

@syssa-o I HEARD ABOUT THAT! so messed up!!! i have heard a lout of good reviews from the office in Markham though 

kalawa

Hey ladies! Doing well over here. I haven't heard anything about mat leave changes in awhile. I thought they mentioned it coming into effect in Jan. 2018...but I could be very wrong. Also, to all the Southern Ontario ladies, hopefully you and your friends and family are all safe following that disaster crash on HWY 400 NB. 

justkeeptrying

Hey everyone!

I haven't checked into maternity leave at all since I'm a SAHM. I need to check into parental leave though since DH wants to take a bit of time off. 

We have our anatomy scan tomorrow morning. I'm super excited and crazy nervous. Sigh. Can't wait to see this little nugget!

syssa-o

@bb3vj3n I’ve heard good things about Markham as well, I personally hate travelling west it is way tooo busy and hectic for me (even with all of my appts being at Sinai/ sick kids) so I try to avoid it! I went to UCbaby in Whitby and they were actually great! All around good experience. 

@kalawa That accident was horrendous. I couldn’t even watch the footage of it on the news  

nancysimp

Hi ladies,

I work in HR...we think the maternity change is effective Jan 1, 2018. I'm contemplating it. The 18 month leave spreads out EI insurance across the entire leave. There are a few other women at work that will be off in 2018, and they are thinking of doing it but when they come talk about it, the concern is the money. We don't top up at my work. I think it would be wonderful to be home that long, and whomever takes my mat leave will have a pretty cozy long-term contract.

bb3vj3n

@nancysimp we are also trying to figure it out financially and if we can make it happen for us.  I'm lucky in that my work does top up for 2 months - at 45%.

My biggest thing is that as much as i love my company. after baby is here, I was hoping too try and find a job closer to home. if I accept the top up, I am obligated to return for 6 months minimum or i have to pay it all back 

My mother is An accountant and keeps telling me I should only take the year - but I think I would regret not doing the full 18 months if the option is actually made available in time. 

May I ask where you heard January? I haven't been ankle to find any information at all

AshleyB09042015

I'm 20 weeks this week. I've had a crappy couple of weeks. Bleeding and cramping. I had a separated placenta so I'm on pelvic rest and progesterone. I barely find time to read through this daily let alone post but I saw the Canadian check in and try to keep up with this at least. Chasing a 14 month old takes up most of my time. 

I called the EI Maternity leave line a few months ago to discuss this while I was still getting paid for DD. They told me they weren't given any specific dates or information yet. I'm hoping it takes effect in January but who knows. 

On the plus side isn't the child tax benefit going up again?

nancysimp

I'm at a two day conference. I will ask my colleagues if they have any new information next week. I haven't seen an update with EI nor in the employment standards act. I hear people speak about the change as an option that employers can offer vs must offer...but this could be chatter as everyone is patiently waiting for an announcement. I know my team has this on their radar...a change like this impacts diverse stakeholders/processes (person on leave, training mat replacement, organizing a long term contract, benefits and pension impact, bonus, vacation accrual, return from mat, exit of contract, potential dept/goal changes etc etc) in many ways. 

justkeeptrying

@AshleyB09042015, I haven't heard anything about the child tax benefit increasing. But I also don't follow stuff like this very closely. But your post just got me super excited lol!! I know it likely won't go up a lot, but oh my! DH and I live on what I consider a pretty low income with me being a SAHM. Any increase in child tax benefit will be a blessing to us financially!! Now I'm off to google...

nancysimp

https://www.cbc.ca/1.4394512

https://globalnews.ca/news/3852880/new-parental-leave-benefits-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

You may have seen the news...

bb3vj3n

so exciting!

what do you all think. are you going to go for it? can you afford it. I'm really on the fence. 

I mean - financially it will be TIGHT.  but on the other hand.... isn't it worth it if you get more time? when else will we get this opportunity to be at home with our babies? I'm so torn

syssa-o

I’m sooo on the fence.... I mean 33% is quite a bit less than 55% but MH makes good money and so the 33% could just be supplemental. When I return to work, I can bring the kids with me because I work at a drop on daycare program at a gym... I would usually only bring them if H is working out or doing overtime (and then he will pick them up in an hour or two) so to me, bringing 18 mos old twins would be a hell of a lot easier than 12 mos old twins. But I like bringing home money and have a hard time getting over that 33% thing. 

kalawa

When I was working, I think I would have done it. Having an infant in daycare is so costly, and hard to find spots. We would have made do with 33%, considering I became a SAHM unexpectedly and are doing fine. We just have to watch our spending, which we've always done. I am just glad there are options for parents.

nancysimp

I'm leaning towards doing it.

Ontario employment standards should be updating their law soon for protection of jobs between the 12-18 mths. But that still doesn't stop a company from restructuring, so I won't depend my decision on provincial law. Very happy the federal government finalized early.

Now onto paperwork! Normally where I work employees provide post dated cheques if they want benefits for the 12 mths, so now that will 18 mths worth. Pension would be more to contribute as well. Finding a contract to take my role will probably be easier since it's a decent long term contract.

The money is very low. 55% up to max of $543 ($2172/mth) for your first 15 weeks (mat leave time) and then 33% up to max of just over $323 ($1292/mth) for your next 61 weeks (parental leave time). I guess we can always find work earlier than 18 mths if needed. 

bb3vj3n

@nancysimp...i was hoping you could answer this for me as I know you are in HR...

will companies be required to update their policies to protect job leaves for 18mths? I did also notice that right note it applies to government employees only....

also would this work? if I were to apply for the 12 month mat leave so that I am receiving the full 55%- but budget myself to try to live on the 33%.......BUT tell my work I will taking 18mths. that way at the end of the 12mths ... if we couldn't do it financially, I can just call my employer and change my return to work date? But if i CAN manage it... stop receiving government payments at the 12 month mark and just keep living off my own savings?

Does that even make sense? I can articulate it well verbally but it was surprisingly difficult to type out that questing? lol

@kalawa yes to the daycare thing! that's another reason I'm majorly leaning inn three yes side. plus, I know a lot of my friends who had an incredibly hard time finding childcare because from what I've heard, many daycares won't take infants under 18mths? so out of line with our current mat leave limits!!!

@syssa-o I hear you. My husband and I are pretty close you each other income wise... but i am technically the primary earner in our household. I enjoy being financially independent and having my own bank account.... but I say- and this is just my opinion... if your H had an income level that you guys can live of off comfortably..DO IT! Especially with those twins coming! That time off will be everything!