Another maternity leave question...

Stephanie2167

How much time do you plan to take off? Has your boss given any input on how much extra you plan to take after the "paid maternity leave" is over?

I'd love to take 12 weeks total but for some reason I feel guilty taking that much time (I was thinking 10 weeks - that would be a full 4 weeks unpaid). Yet, I really don't want to leave my baby with a daycare any earlier than that.

cswatch

I'm taking the 12 weeks unpaid allowed under FMLA.  My boss is fine w/this.  I can always sub in some of my vaca or sick time if I want to collect some $ during that time, but I think I want to save it in case I need time off for when the baby has Dr.'s appts., DH and I want to go on a family vaca with the new little addition, etc.

APRILMW

I plan on taking a total of 13 weeks off!!!    And, I am only coming back PT. 

ChristinaD09

I don't accumulate any paid leave.  Its up to my boss.  Fun. 

But my boss and I decided on 6 weeks off, and then I'll try to go back for 4 weeks, then I'll have another 4 weeks off because I'll be finished at my job and getting ready to start another one (I had planned to have that as vacation time anyways).  SO: 10 weeks total.  I think that's perfect.  Plus the 4 weeks back will give me time to get adjusted to being at the workplace/pumping before starting my next job (where it will be much harder in terms of my hours, etc)

katesmom73

I haven't talked to her about it but if my coworker's experience is the same, she will let me take whatever I need/want.  Because I only receive 6 weeks of STD and based on my PTO, I'll likely only take 10 weeks.

shanmoyer

don't feel guilty about taking time away from work to spend time with your child!! that time is sooooo precious! Take as much time as you can!

Jennicap

I only get STD so its 6 weeks for me, wish I could take off more but we can't afford to be without a paycheck for any amount of time. I hate to put LO in daycare at such a young age but we're stuck so it is what it is.

xtencornfield

I think everyone's situation is different regarding HR policies.  I am allowed 12 weeks under FMLA and we have to use all of our vacation and then sick time during that time off (i.e. you can't just decide to take unpaid leave if you have benefit time available).  Once we've exhausted our benefit time, then we can move into unpaid leave until 12 weeks.  We also accrue benefit time while we're taking benefit time...this will help me get through almost the full 12 weeks paid (I think I'll have about a week unpaid, possibly).

ETA: I in no way feel guilty about taking my full 12 weeks.  It's protected under FMLA and everyone else here has taken the full leave...so I will too.

JulySpark05

I get 1 year paid maternity leave. Do you not get unemployment insurance throughout maternity leave or is it your company paying for the leave? In Canada, we get unemployment insurance for 1 year and at my work, I get topped up for the first 3 months.

MrsBraun

You feel guilty about taking the full 12 weeks off! Oh boy. I feel guilty for possibly taking the full 12 months off, but will most likely come back one day per week after 16 weeks or so, to make that little bit of extra money & to stay connected with things. I definitely don't take it for granted that I am fortunate to even have such an option.

Stephanie2167

JulySpark05:

I get 1 year paid maternity leave. Do you not get unemployment insurance throughout maternity leave or is it your company paying for the leave? In Canada, we get unemployment insurance for 1 year and at my work, I get topped up for 3 months.

We get 6 weeks leave for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for c-section. This is short term disability. Actually the first week of STD is unpaid so you actually only get 5 and 7 weeks paid at 80% through my work.

Erika6504

If you qualify for FMLA, don't feel guilty!!

I'm taking the full 12 weeks.  Actually people would be shocked if I took anything less.  It's pretty much expected that I'll take as much time as possible.  As it is, 6 of those weeks will be unpaid.

matthew24

I will be taking 6 months for that is the norm in my office; I'm extremely fortunate.

joelen&louis

I'm taking 16-20 weeks (4-5 months) paid leave but fortunately after my maternity leave, I still work from home so we don't have to pay for day care.

ETA: I do have family staying with us once I finish my maternity leave to help watch the baby while I'm working. On top of family with us, my husband has his days off on 2 of the 4 days I work a week. So I don't see how me working from home and still having family/DH around to help poses any concerns.

slc2b

My company is small so we aren't subject to FMLA laws.  I still need to discuss this with HR but from what I understand the company will offer me 4 weeks fully paid after I use up all my vacation/sick time, then I can take up to another 8 weeks unpaid.  I don't think I could take the whole 12 weeks without at least popping in to catch up on what is going on here at work though.  Things change too quickly around here.

I am going to shoot for going to 4 days a week after that though (with a pay cut obviously), so I can have Fridays off with the LO.  Somehow that just doesn't seem as awful as leaving him/her in daycare 5 days a week.  I really, really hope they are cool with that.

Lisa_Ont

I'm taking the full year that is offered here in Canada. . . and my work tops my pay up for the full year. . . don't feel guilty about being home with your child, however long you get. 

I don't know how you ladies leave your little ones at 8 weeks as it is!!

Stephanie2167

joelen&louis:

I'm taking 16-20 weeks (4-5 months) paid leave but fortunately after my maternity leave, I still work from home so we don't have to pay for day care.

I work 100% form home too but I believe my company requires you to have daycare once you return to work.

slc2b

joelen&louis:

I'm taking 16-20 weeks (4-5 months) paid leave but fortunately after my maternity leave, I still work from home so we don't have to pay for day care.

I could probably do the work from home thing too, but honestly don't know how I would really ever get any work done while watching the baby.  Isn't that like a full time job on it's own?

Erika6504

slc2b:

joelen&louis:

I'm taking 16-20 weeks (4-5 months) paid leave but fortunately after my maternity leave, I still work from home so we don't have to pay for day care.

I could probably do the work from home thing too, but honestly don't know how I would really ever get any work done while watching the baby.  Isn't that like a full time job on it's own?

People who attempt to work from home full-time and have a baby get a huge  from me.  IMO, it's impossible to put in 8 hours a day and care for an infant.  Unless you have help, I don't see how it can be done.

Our telecommuting policy strictly says that the option can not be used in lieu of daycare. 

joelen&louis

Erika6504:

slc2b:

joelen&louis:

I'm taking 16-20 weeks (4-5 months) paid leave but fortunately after my maternity leave, I still work from home so we don't have to pay for day care.

I could probably do the work from home thing too, but honestly don't know how I would really ever get any work done while watching the baby.  Isn't that like a full time job on it's own?

People who attempt to work from home full-time and have a baby get a huge  from me.  IMO, it's impossible to put in 8 hours a day and care for an infant.  Unless you have help, I don't see how it can be done.

Our telecommuting policy strictly says that the option can not be used in lieu of daycare. 

Although I'm working from home, I do have family staying with us once I finish my maternity leave to help watch the baby while I'm working. On top of family with us, my husband has his days off on 2 of the 4 days I work a week. So I don't see how me working from home and still having family/DH around to help poses any concerns. Thankfully my job doesn't require me to use daycare if working from home.

FemmeNat01

I dont think you should feel guilty at all! Take those 12 weeks and enjoy them!

I am not taking the full 1 year off. I will take off 5 months and then work from home for 4 months.

MrsBalletStar05

Our company has a policy set up that you must take 6 weeks or less in order to get the PARTIAL paid leave.  and you cannot add in vacation time or stick that on the end of the 6 weeks either. 

 

It will be fine though.  I will take the 6 weeks and that is all.  I remember 6 weeks did kinda feel like quite a bit with DS.  This one will be going to the same daycare as DS so I don't have any apprehensions about that.  

Ginger

6 to 8 weeks.

JenCrabbe13

I will be taking the entire 12 weeks. By the time that May arrives I will only have about 4 weeks of leave. I am trying to save money for the rest of the months.

naylon511

matthew24:

I will be taking 6 months for that is the norm in my office; I'm extremely fortunate.

Me too - this exactly. 

iheartnutella

I get 6-8 wks STD (really 5-7 after the 7 day waiting period) + up to 4-6 additional weeks unpaid / PTO because of FMLA.  Not sure what I'm going to do yet, but thinking of taking 10-12.  I am not obligated to ask my boss' permission, I just need to tell him what I plan to do.

Baby_Bunny_Hopeful

cswatch:

I'm taking the 12 weeks unpaid allowed under FMLA.  My boss is fine w/this.  I can always sub in some of my vaca or sick time if I want to collect some $ during that time, but I think I want to save it in case I need time off for when the baby has Dr.'s appts., DH and I want to go on a family vaca with the new little addition, etc.

this EXACTLY!

cathylynn1213

We can use up to the 12 weeks FMLA- but we have to use all of vacation and sick leave first. For this reason I'm planning on taking 8-10 weeks to have some left over if need be (prolly closer to 10). By this time DH will be out of school for the summer so the baby won't have to go day care right away.