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maternity leave proposal

mandilou221mandilou221 member
in 3rd Trimester
Hey ladies.

How did you get what you want for maternity leave?
Luckily, my boss is super sweet, thrilled I'm pregnant, and I think it'll be easy. The catch - I feel a little guilty (given my position) to leave her hanging for 2 months without the support she needs.

But whatever. Feelings aside, how did you do it? Did you write up a letter and let her ponder it? Have a meeting?
I know I should have done this a while ago, but circumstances at work have changed my mind like three times already. I need to get this done now!
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Re: maternity leave proposal

  • jessib10jessib10 member
    There are several variables to consider. I am taking 5 weeks prior to my expected due date and then have a doctors note for 4 weeks prior and 6 weeks after my birth. Since I am covered by California state disability that's what I'm entitled to. I will be taking one extra week unpaid because I commute so far and am already so exhausted all the time. Also add in that I can barely fit behind a steering wheel AND reach the pedals to drive.

    Maybe you should talk to your boss or someone in HR to see what is available to you?
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  • Tess024Tess024 member
    I'm assuming your job doesn't already have a maternity leave policy in place, so just be straight when you ask her for what you want.

    FMLA allows you to take up to 12 weeks unpaid leave and your job will still be there for you no matter what, so don't feel guilty. You really need the time to care for the baby and stuff, because if you try to work, it will just be insane.

    Just set up a casual meeting to discuss. See what other people have taken at your work, and use that to leverage what you want.
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  • ASmallWonderASmallWonder member
    Tess024 said:
    I'm assuming your job doesn't already have a maternity leave policy in place, so just be straight when you ask her for what you want.

    FMLA allows you to take up to 12 weeks unpaid leave and your job will still be there for you no matter what, so don't feel guilty. You really need the time to care for the baby and stuff, because if you try to work, it will just be insane.

    Just set up a casual meeting to discuss. See what other people have taken at your work, and use that to leverage what you want.
    This is false.  FMLA doesn't apply to every worker and since the OP is talking about proposing her own leave plan, I'm going out on a limb to say she likely works at a small company that doesn't have to abide by FMLA.
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  • FemShepFemShep member
    I'd recommend setting up a meeting to discuss your leave plan, coming in with a first draft of a proposal, and then updating it after your discussion.  A meeting like this tends to go better if you have a good groundwork laid for the discussion (an initial proposal), and if you keep an open mind about what may be possible (having the budget to hire a temp or being able to use resources from other departments, etc).

    The best way to put together a great maternity leave proposal is to ask yourself what your biggest concerns would be if you were your boss and proactively suggest ways to address the problems.  For example, if one of your key deliverables is a monthly report, include training someone to take on the report, slot in training time for the months before you'll be on leave, and provide some suggestions on who might be a good candidate to take it over temporarily.

    A good proposal should include the time off you plan to take, as well as the estimated dates (with the understanding that it's somewhat outside of your control), key projects or regular work that would be occurring during that time that would need to be assigned to someone else, suggestions for training other people on the work, key contacts (including information for external partners/clients if applicable), and information on where to find updated projects (shared drives, network folders, etc).

    If you're asking for something outside of your usual policy, I would discuss it first and then update the plan in writing.  For example, if you wanted to work from home for 2 days a week during your first month back, ask your boss how she feels about it, and if she approves, update the plan to include it.

    After discussing my big plan with my boss, I would also do a weekly update for him, the people who were taking on some of my tasks, and our key partners during my last month before maternity leave, just in case LO came early.  Good luck!
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  • gobbo1985gobbo1985 member
    It's very different in Canada, we get a year of Mat leave and your employer doesn't really have a say in it
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  • mandilou221mandilou221 member
    I feel like whatever I propose is going to become the company plan...

    I work at a small veterinary practice (1 doctor/owner, 6 employees!) The only other person who has taken maternity leave (ever) is the owner, and her situation was very unique.

    Thanks for all your comments. I think I'm making this a bigger deal than it should be. 
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  • saraapuzzo24saraapuzzo24 member
    If there is only 7 employees at your office, I don't think you qualify for FLMA. From what I read it is only for companies with 40 or more employees. But double check there maybe something thru your state .
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  • erind0213erind0213 member
    Our HR is very systematic and there is no proposal.

    I will only get paid for the time I have saved and anything after and up to 12 weeks is unpaid using FMLA.

    So based on my calculations I'll have 6 weeks pd, the possibility for 2 more weeks of STD and then the rest of the 4-6 weeks totally unpaid.

    It is what it is. I am doing everything in my power to make my job as little a burden on my boss as possible. Each week I am working on something so that many of the measure are already in place for the time I will be away.
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  • AmandajeanVAmandajeanV member
    I work in a small company out of Idaho with 12 employees. I am in your situation as well. Because of your companies size, you will not qualify for any FMLA leave, sadly. I set up a casual meeting with my boss, who is also head of HR, and asked what the company offered, which is 6 weeks unpaid, and then got it in writing. Its not a lot of time, but 6 weeks is 6 weeks. Good luck! 
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  • heathern618heathern618 member
    Luckily i work for a large corporation and FMLA covers me for 12wks unpaid but my std covers me for 8 weeks paid @ 100%. While I'd love to take the full 12, my finances can't allow it. I had a meeting with my direct manager to tentatively took 8 weeks and possibly using vacation time afterwards but that was out of courtesy since we have an HR that handles everything. I say a meeting first then once closer to you due date confirm in email
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