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1st Trimester
FMLA kind of blows - vent
I'm spoiled because I get to live in such a wonderful county. I could live in a third world country and have nothing. So I know I'm being a bit snarky.
However - I still going to complain. I really, really wish that the Family Medical Leave Act covered more: like some type of paid leave (even if it was like unemployment at only 60% of what you regularly earn), for employee's who have less than a year at the job (like six months), or for companies under 50 employees.
Its a lot of conditions just to get a little time home with your newbie. And it really means wherever you are working once you get pregnant - there you will stay until after. Not totally fair you know...
This discussion has been closed.
Re: FMLA kind of blows - vent
Well, up until FMLA came on, the employer could let you go and hire someone else and you had no job after you spent time with your baby or family member. Clinton did a wonderful thing ensuring that people would still have their jobs and at the same rate of pay that they did before.
It's not really fair to expect a company to pay you while you decide to have a baby. It is your choice, after all. And, if they have to hire a temp while you are gone, they would be paying you also.
FMLA is a great thing.
Well, working for a small nonprofit, it stinks that we're not covered.
I know why, believe me... but it stinks.
PG#1 - 3rd cycle BFP. Team Green. HELLP syndrome @ 34 weeks.
Later diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, possible link to HELLP.
PG#2 M/C 3/14 - Surprise BFP 2/13. Beta's doubled every 52 hours from 3w5d-5w5d
Viable pregnancy scan at 5w5d; 2nd u/s showed 2 days of growth in 7 but a HB of 120
3rd u/s on 3/10/14 had no HB and baby had only grown 7 days over 14
D&C 3/17/14 - complications - DX Retroflexed uterus, multiple tears to cervix
All Welcome
Chart
FMLA shouldn't have to cover a penny of your salary. That's what PTO is for. Save it up. Also, a company shouldn't have to hold the spot of someone who hasn't been there for a stable amount of time. I'm just surprised anyone really complains about FMLA when the alternative that existed before that was
HAVE BABY. LOSE JOB. OR take pay cut when returning.
(Cap lock fail and I'm too lazy to erase it)
Thank you President Clinton for giving us this wonderful chance to be with our family when they need us in the event of an ill family member, or our baby without the fear of losing our jobs.
Most people don't qualify for unemployment. Worker's comp means you were injured on the job. I don't think you making a choice to have a child counts as an injury on the job. They pay you for worker's comp because you were injured while under the direct employ of the company. I hope you didn't get pregnant on the job.
And yes... only people who can afford to have kids should. Are you saying that you should willingly have babies when you can't afford to support them?? That's why they give out free condoms.
I understand what you are saying. I know people that have been unemployed for years and recieving their unemployment benefits. I am lucky enough to be working here 1 year in Nov, the month before I give birth. So I get 6 wks paid maternity leave on short term disability. If I would have gotten pregnant a couple months earlier I would have no paid time off and just have to save.
I'm with you. Yes, what we have is better than what we had, but we are one of only five countries in the world that doesn't have some sort of mandated paid maternity leave. IMO, that's sad. I believe Canada gets a year, paid.
Canada ladies, is that correct?
Carina 12.28.2010 | Aurelia 9.23.12 | Chart - Round 3
The ability to not work for 3 months after delivery is wonderful, but I also wish there was a way to receive some income. Guess I'm tired of my tax $$$ paying for welfare, SSI, & unemployment for people who aren't contributing to the system. So why shouldn't someone, whose been working for the same company (15 years in my case) be able to get even 50% during the 3 months? I now step off my soapbox.
What is PTO? Someone mentioned it earlier, but I don't know what that means...
BFP - Ended in m/c - 6/15/10
BFP - Ended in m/c - 1/2/11
BFP! - 4/13/11 - grow baby grow!!
Partially correct. I'll be entitled to 54 weeks at a reduced rate of pay (roughly 55 percent of my salary, I think). Maternity leave is just like unemployment here, you file for it and then the government cuts you a check every month until your time is up. I'm guaranteed my job back when I want to return, also.
PTO = Paid Time Off. This can be personal time, vacation pay, sick time... but it's PTO.
The companies that are paying those maternity benefits are wonderful to work for, no doubt. But, in looking for a job, benefits should come into play. If you are planning a family, then make sure there are benefits that will complement that when you look for a job.
If you take a job, they do let you know your benefits in advance, so you can't cry foul later.
Also, I don't know how anyone can be on unemployment for years as mentioned by the original poster further up the page, because it runs out. I have never collected it, but I do know people who have, and there is a cap on it. It's also not a livable wage.
Thanks for the laugh, if you like the way some of the other countries do things, like Canada and Norway, move there.
Otherwise, save up your PTO time and be thankful we have FMLA at all.
Anyone can purchase short term disability insurance for themselves (if it's not offered through your company) and STD usually covers 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for a c-section.
If I didn't have that through my company, I would have purchased it before TTC.
Bet you 10 bucks this thread gets the DD treatment.
That's what generally happens when the poster doesn't get the feedback they want.
Unfortunately it's correct. The other four are Lesotho, Liberia, Swaziland, and Papua New Guinea
https://www.inc.com/news/articles/200702/family.html
Carina 12.28.2010 | Aurelia 9.23.12 | Chart - Round 3
this study only looked at 173 countries. Depending on what countries you figure are independent there are between 189 and 195 counties in the world. I just find it hard to believe that all the underdeveloped countries in Africa, Asia, and the former Soviet Block Countries require paid maternity leave for their working women.
I was going to include women of the Middle East in that, but well, most of them aren't allowed to work. I'd much rather have sucky FMLA then what they have to put up with.
Just saying...
Wait, you want to compare the benefits of the United States with the benefits of 3rd world countries? How on Earth is that making a fair comparison???
I don't think anyone should have to pay me to take care of my own child while I'm on leave. I'm not working for them, so I am not earning a paycheck.
I believe I read somewhere that that's the reason why they weren't included. The majority of women in the countries that were not included do not work at all.
Carina 12.28.2010 | Aurelia 9.23.12 | Chart - Round 3
I think some people will never be happy with what they have... and will always want more. we have it pretty damn good here.
I was reading about a few countries.
Heck, in Cuba you get all kinds of paid time at 60% of your salary... but you only make like 3$ a week. You can't get anything good, and you have to live under a dictatorship. I guess if you want to have your $1.80 we week... enjoy. There is always a catch.
Be grateful.
I do agree with you partially, I think way too many people take advantage of the assistance that is out there, but then there are tons of people like me who have worked since I was 16-now 25 and I was unexpectedly laid off from my job this year. So I feel that it is unfair to say that we are not contributed..Without unemployment to help me get through until I do find another job I would have nothing.
No it's not a fair comparison, and that is part of my point. Things are so much better here and yet some people will complain about it. And don't say "the US is one of only 5" when there are a bunch of countries left out.
I'm all for FMLA saving some one's job. But why in the world should an employer pay the person on leave and the person who has replaced them?
And sure Welfare and all of that sucks but if the government starts paying Mom's while they stay home it is going to be done through taxes also. And then a ton of people who don't and won't have kids will, be paying for Mom's to go on leave. And employers will have to pay taxes too to cover the expense.
I'd love to drive a lexus and live in a 3,000 square foot house, but I can't afford it. Should only people who can afford to have these things have them?
I know I'm late, but YES YES YES you should WAIT until you CAN AFFORD to have a baby to have a baby. Not expect other people to pay for your choice.
While I agree that it is better than before FMLA, I bellieve it could be better for both mothers and fathers.
And just because they must insure you have a job when you return doesn't restrict the company for making you feel lousy for getting pregnant period. Yes, you could sue but then would you still want to work there?
I just think it is similar to insurance companies covering Viagra but not Birth Control. If men had babies, maternity leave in this company would be completely different.
Flame away!
That's not true. Here in CT it was not possible for me to purchase a plan independently that would cover maternity leave. I did figure that is was just as good to take $200/paycheck out while I was family planning and leave that throughout the pregnancy. In the course of the year you would have almost $5k- enough to cover me 100% for a month an a half at least. If you and DH both did this, you'd have enough for 3 months.
I am lucky enough to have STD through my job, but if I weren't I am smart enough to save and plan so I can spend time with my baby. Thank god for FMLA, it protects the things we can't control like bosses and companies looking out for their bottom line.
I understand what you mean, but can't we be grateful while at the same time striving to improve things?
I also don't understand why people continue to compare developing countries with developed countries. Let's compare the US and Canada, or the US and the Nordic countries or Western European countries. That's a better comparison.
Great point! I agree with you. Its important to be thankful for what we have while always striving to make things better. Very well said.
This has turned into a great conversation while I was logged off. So many different viewpoints and good ideas! What a smart bunch of mommies-to-be we have here.
What about Connecticut prevents you from getting an STD policy through a company like AFLAC? Or MetLife? Or any of the other major insurance providers?
Other countries may supplement maternity leave like welfare, but their income taxes are also extremely high, like 48% in Sweden & 50% in France. I'd rather keep my money, and figure out how to pay for my own time off.
Mandatory PTO sounds great in theory, but the trade-off isn't worth it to me.
A. Many will not cover maternity as a disability
B. The only one I found that would was AFLAC and in CT you have to be a part of a group policy with your company, at least 5 employees have to be enrolled.
Like I said, when I calculated what I would be taking out of my check as far as $$ goes if I could get STD on my own, socking some $$ away each month works the same way since it's not a disability you "might" get it's one you are planning for,