What's the standard maternity leave benefit in MA?

8oct06

I can't believe how little info there is out there on this (and how little we get). My company has great benefits (or so I thought), but it's small, so it's only offering 8 weeks unpaid leave and that's it. Does anyone know how short-term disability leave works? Can I only get this if I have a C-seciton?

What are/did you get/ting if you don't mind me asking? My other friends have gotten some sort of paid leave, even if it's only two weeks...

Sue0213

If your company has less than 50 employees it doesn't qualify you for FMLA which allows you 12w off w/job protection.

If you don't qualify for FMLA you probably qualify for the MMLA which allows you 8w  w/job security. 

Short term disability totally depends on whether or not your company offers it.  Some people get it automatically as part of their benefits and some people have to pay into it.  Your HR person should be able to tell you whether or not STD is offered. 

I work for a major area hospital and mine was completely unpaid.  I had to have enough earned time saved up in order to be paid for my leave. 

MMoore1125

sue0213 is right on. I am an HRperson for a hospital in MA and I just finished my leave. FMLA protects job for up to 12 weeks if the company is larger than 50 people.

I had to use my earned time to get paid. There is no law that requires an employer to pay you for any part of the leave.

STD depends on the the employers plan...some give you the benefit and some make you sign up and pay for it. Many plans have a waiting period also before you can collect the money. You need to sit with your HR person to lay out everything you are entiltled to. Good luck

Worcbride

I had to take the first 2 wks out of my vacation time;  I then got 4 wks paid--I had a C-section/our plan doesn't give more time for a CS;  I could've had my OB write me out for longer and got more money but I wasn't sure if I'd be going back to work (I ended up not);  I did take the 12 wks of FMLA

Worcbride

btw my 4 wks came out of STD

Shauna07

My company gives 12 weeks (6 weeks pay at 100%, 2 weeks at 80% and 4 weeks at 60%).  You have to use a weeks vaca or sick before the 12 weeks FMLA kicks in (or you take a week unpaided). Total 13 weeks maternity leave.