Maternity Leave - how much time are you taking??

SummerOH

GeraldoRivera:

MelleTX:

I think a lot of people hear about Canada and 1 year off and think woo hoo! However, here in the US, most of us are not equipped to live with only 55 of our salary for a whole year.Say you make 50k per year. In the US, you earn about 961/week before taxes. You take 12 weeks off unpaid and lose 11,538.46 in income making your annual income for the year 38,461.54.In Canada, you take 52 weeks off but get to keep 55 of your annual salary which brings you down to 27,500 for the year.nbsp;You definitely earn more in the US on unpaid FMLA. nbsp;I am not for or against either system over the other again, I am selfemployednbsp;andnbsp;wouldn'tnbsp;qualify either way. It's just an interesting way to look at it. I think most people SAY they would prefer the time off over the money, but in reality most people NEED the money over the time which has a lot to do with some of our values and priorities.nbsp;

How do you earn more on unpaid leave than in leave paid at 55?? At least in Canada you could choose to go back after 12 weeks paid at 55 if you need the money. Here you have no choice.

This is my thought.  I'd like to at least have the choice.  Like a PP said, there are a lot of ill-informed Americans who freak out at the hint of anything "socialist" although many throw around that term without understanding what it means.  Maternity benefits in America are atrocious no matter how you look at it.  We have the money to empire-build but we don't have the money to promote family bonding and care.  It's embarassing.   

I'm taking 10-12 weeks.  6 weeks maternity benefits then using accrued leave for the rest. 

Icecream4me

I'm probably taking 6 weeks at partial pay and 2 weeks unpaid.  I may try to come back only 3 days/week for weeks10&11 using sick days. 

My company does not allow us to "bank" vacation time and since I'm due in the first month - I won't have accrued any vacation for the year so I can't take any.  That really stinks. I suppose I will be happy when I can take a good vacation later in the year.  

 My husband has about 5 weeks vacation though - so he will be taking a lot of time off in the 3rd month when I have to go back to work.   

MichelleEZcheck

I feel fortunate in that my company offers 13 weeks paid leave with the ability to take up to a year off- it's just that after the initial 13 weeks, you'll either be using your own vacation/sick time or it will be unpaid.  But your job will be protected for up to a year if you wish to be out.  I also love the "new mother rooms" that they provide us here for breast pumping purposes.  Very nice.

I will be taking the full 13 weeks. 

avee10

I actually work for the State of Florida and get 6 months (unpaid, I will use my accrued vacation and sick days) Maternity leave policies are employee based not state based.