I don't get it...

AvaLikeLava

I attended a brownbag at lunch today to go over my maternity leave benefits/etc. I did it to make sure nothing's changed since my leave w/ G.

Here's what I don't get: I work for a company that provides you paid benefits at 100% salary for 8 weeks.

One of the questions someone asked HR was if they would be allowed to come back to work SOONER than those 8 weeks.

Well, no sh!t your manager would love you back the day after delivery, but WHY would you want to? If your time off is paid, what wouldn't you want to take advantage of the bonding & recovery time with your child? I struggled to come back after 4 months, but maybe I'm just not normal.

So I don't get it.

Flame away, but please help me understand.

Mrs.K&C

Maybe they were just trying to be a kiss-a$$? If it's they're first maybe they aren't sure how they will feel. Maybe they're just a martyr and feel like no one else can do their job or something. People have all sorts of weird hang ups.

But yay for 100% paid leave by your company, that's awesome! 

Meritage

I'm guessing it's their first (or maybe someone who isn't even PG yet and thinking ahead) and has NO CLUE what it'll be like after you have a baby.  I think I had a clue, and I even considered (before my first was born) coming back for an important meeting a few days after he was born.

.Fancy.

I'm hoping for clueless?

 

I had a lady at my old job tell me she wanted to go back to work after 2 weeks because she "was bored". Yep.

mrs.meteowrite

Maybe just one of those folks who feels they need to "contribute" to a meeting by speaking out every so often.  I work with one of those, and usually the stuff that comes out isn't a reflection of her real opinion...it's just something to say. 

alibee09

You obvs should have asked if any time she doesn't take can get transferred to you.

AvaLikeLava

alibee09:

You obvs should have asked if any time she doesn't take can get transferred to you.

Ha! Yeah, that would be nice.

But seeing as the time we can take BEFORE delivery is a use-it or loose-it, I doubt time from someone else can be transferred.

I like how you're thinking though.

And yeah, I was thinking "clueless" too, but I wasn't going to call her out.

Celyn

My PE teacher in high school had her baby on a Friday and was back at work on Monday.  It was bizarre.  She was married to one of the most famous players on the 49ers at the time, so it's not like she needed to be there to get her paycheck/benefits.

pink.dutch.tulips

i would have GLADLY taken 8wks at 100% pay ! i negoiated 6-8wks off (ended up taking 7wks) unpaid when they offered me the position.

i can only dream of taking off 4 months ....