maternity leave question

vsalt31 · October 2011

The owner of the small company that I worked for asked me last week about my plans for ML. They do not have a standard policy, but said that they would give me as much time as I need and allow me to work PT (incld setting up a pack&play & bringing the baby) and/or working from home. They are terrified that I will leave & have been wonderful.
I have a colleague who is out on ML for 12 weeks (1st 8 weeks paid in full, last 4 weeks are paid 50%) Part of the last 4 weeks, she will be working on "small projects" from home (probably 10 hrs/week).

I wanted to ask how long I could be away & not be fired! ha! But, in reality, what is a fair request? How long did it take you to feel well enough & under control to head back to work? This is #1 for us, so I'm clueless about what to expect. TIA!

spinach · October 2011

I'm taking off 12 wks, 4 wks medical leave, 2 wks pba, 4 wks vacation all paid, 2wks unpaid.

SailorGray · October 2011

I work from home (I believe you said you could do this) and would have been fine going back the week after having DS since he sleeps all day. I am taking 6 weeks, though.

Snow1010 · October 2011

It's wonderful that you company is so accommodating! Larger companies (over 50 employees) have to offer FMLA, which is basically saying you can be out 12 weeks without fear of losing your job. Many times this runs in conjunction with Short Term Disability. STD will pay a % of your salary but FMLA is unpaid (unless a company has a special maternity leave policy).

I think 12 weeks is a reasonable amount of time. And it's great that your company will pay 100% for the first 8 weeks.

ptflip · October 2011

I think it all depends on which state you live in. I live in CA and am taking a total of 16 weeks off and my job is protected but here in CA we can take up to 4 weeks off before due date off, 6-8 weeks post delivery on short term disability, and another 6 weeks of paid family leave. But usually with FMLA I think you can take up to 12 weeks and have job protection.

I am about 5 weeks post baby and I feel "well enough and under control" to go back to work now if I wanted to (had a C-section) but I wanted to spend as much time at home with LO as possible.

newbmom347 · October 2011

Definitely try for 12 weeks. My leave has been kind of crazy because I was on bed rest for 8.5 weeks before baby came. I worked from home that whole time, but I was still out of the office. My LO was born on 8/10 and I am off completely until November 11 which is about 13 weeks. Then for 3 more weeks after that I'm only going to work 2-3 days a week, primarily from home and go back full time December 5th. All of this was using my personal leave (I'm a Fed employee so I had a lot of saved leave) but it was totally worth it. I know it will be hard to be away from LO, but I'm also ready to go back.

mrsmikeyray · October 2011

I'm going back once DD is 3 months. I would stay longer but we can't afford it. Sucky part is how I made a huge deal about never going back because I hated my job and now I'm going to get crap for going back. If it weren't for nights and weekends off and a good paycheck I wouldn't go back. My hours changed too and they're crap. Glad you have a job you enjoy! I can't take DD with me until shes 1.

demmie326 · October 2011

With DS I took the full 12 weeks that I was allowed under FMLA which meant that the majority of my leave would be unpaid but I had the assurance that I would have a job when I returned. My husband's company provided him with 12 weeks of PAID leave (his company was based in Europe at the time)

This time around we are both working for different companies. DH had 2 weeks of paid leave, most of which he spent working from home. I am working for a small family owned company which is AWESOME. I found myself in similar circumstances to yours as they were asking how much time I was taking as soon as they found out I was pregnant. I opted to return at 8 weeks, which is tomorrow. I admit that I wish I had taken 12 weeks like I did with DS but did negotiate a part time schedule.

Take some time to think about it before you give them your answer and if you can I encourage you to leave it somewhat open ended....you will notify them if you change your plans after LO arrives.

jacmdb · October 2011

I am taking 13 weeks total. The first week was before DD arrived. She was born at 41w5d. I am the full 12 weeks allowed by FMLA. I am only getting paid for 6 weeks. I week vacation pay and 5 weeks STD. I could have gone back to work physically at 6 weeks but am glad I am taking 12 weeks to bond with my DD.

jamima757@yahoo.com · October 2011

I took 6 weeks (that is all that is covered under STD) If you have the chance to take more- do it. I think if you just make it clear to your employer what your plans are they will be happy. My employer was the same way- told me to take whatever I needed/wanted as long as in the end I did come back. I could have taken an additional 6 weeks under FMLA- but it would have been unpaid. Not something I am in the position to do at this point with a little one here now. LO is 2 months old and is really starting to get fun- I would love to be able to be home with him all the time.