WWWMD: Maternity Leave vs Pay Increase

mrsnala · March 2014

I was offered a new job today at a different company, that is a 21% pay increase, similar benefits, 401K, pension plan, vacation, all that stuff, except for the maternity leave. My currently company offers 12 weeks paid maternity leave, where this new company is the standard 6 weeks for vaginal delivery, 8 for a c section. I would obviously wait until I qualify for FMLA before we start trying again, but would the maternity leave be enough to make anyone stay? The work is similar.

mrsnala · March 2014

Sorry let me clarify. My current position gives me 12 weeks paid leave, and I can take an additional 8 weeks unpaid (so 20 weeks total). The new job would be the 6/8 weeks paid and then anything else would be unpaid, which I assume with FMLA would be up to 20 weeks total as well.

mrsnala · March 2014

Duplicate

jf198400 · March 2014

Yes as long as new company is FMLA eligible I would do it.

ebp913 · March 2014

mrsnala said:

Sorry let me clarify. My current position gives me 12 weeks paid leave, and I can take an additional 8 weeks unpaid (so 20 weeks total). The new job would be the 6/8 weeks paid and then anything else would be unpaid, which I assume with FMLA would be up to 20 weeks total as well.

I might clarify with the new job that you could take 20 weeks. Standard FMLA is only 12 weeks total.

jf198400 · March 2014

ebp913 said:

mrsnala said:

Sorry let me clarify. My current position gives me 12 weeks paid leave, and I can take an additional 8 weeks unpaid (so 20 weeks total). The new job would be the 6/8 weeks paid and then anything else would be unpaid, which I assume with FMLA would be up to 20 weeks total as well.

I might clarify with the new job that you could take 20 weeks. Standard FMLA is only 12 weeks total.

Yea Fmla is only 12 weeks which runs concurrently with any paid disability leave. Unless you are in CA or NJ which have state laws that provide longer leaves.

FemShep · March 2014

I'd take the new job, especially since you're not pregnant yet. Unfortunately, you have no idea how long it might take you to get pregnant. While you're trying (and gestating!) that 21% increase really adds up. Keep in mind that the increased base salary also impacts things like 401(k) contribution, so the difference in salary is even greater.

And congrats!

jesuisfatiguee · March 2014

New job, for sure. ANY paid ML is amazing. Since you're TTC, you have time to use some of that extra 20% to save up to cover any amount of unpaid ML you might take.

Congrats!

Solstice7118 · March 2014

I would definitely take the new job and look into private disability insurance. My current job doesn't offer maternity leave at all, so I pay for Aflac short term benefits which will pay a flat rate as soon as I deliver, and cover 6-8 weeks (depending on VBAC or RCS, in my case) at 100% salary. They also offer (and I took) a hospital plan which pays additional funds. This way the entire time would be covered and you could take the full 12 weeks. It's kind of expensive (IMO), but the way the math works out, as long as I deliver within the first 3 years of the plan I'm still coming out ahead (and, as it happens, I'll deliver 11 months into the plan, hopefully). I also agree with the reasons all the PP's had for taking the new job. Congrats on the offer

ccam · March 2014

Definitely the new job. The long term benefits will outweigh the paid maternity leave. At least you get some paid leave at the new job! I would start saving your pay increase to cover the unpaid portion of your maternity leave.

ks3pink · March 2014

I'd take the new job without hesitation. That pay increase will be invaluable with an added mouth to feed.

jnnfrrose6 · March 2014

Agreeing with others. Take the new job. It seems short sighted to stay with a lower paying (but otherwise pretty comparable) job simply because you get a few extra weeks more paid and then a few extra weeks after that off with your baby. Presumably this is a job/career you'll be in for awhile, so definitely take the upgrade.

VOR · March 2014

theresat858 said:

ebp913 said:

mrsnala said:

Sorry let me clarify. My current position gives me 12 weeks paid leave, and I can take an additional 8 weeks unpaid (so 20 weeks total). The new job would be the 6/8 weeks paid and then anything else would be unpaid, which I assume with FMLA would be up to 20 weeks total as well.

I might clarify with the new job that you could take 20 weeks. Standard FMLA is only 12 weeks total.

This. Those 6-8 weeks paid most likely count towards the 12 weeks of FMLA.

I'd definitely take the new job, but the above is what I would assume too. With most companies, your lucky to even get the 12. Your present company is VERY generous to give you 20. I would not assume that about the new company.

Pips09 · March 2014

I would definitely take the new job. The move up and extra money would be worth having to cover a few weeks unpaid maternity leave. Especially since you are not pregnant yet, you could be there a year or more making the higher salary before taking any leave.

pdh2008 · March 2014

Definitely take the new job. 21% is a huge jump.

ss265 · March 2014

I was in a similar position when I took my current job. With my old company, I got 8 weeks paid maternity leave. With my present company, I have to pay for short term disability before I even get pregnant (pregnancy is considered a pre existing condition for my company's short term disability) plus when I do take maternity leave, I only get 60% of my salary but it is not taxed. They offered me a 30% pay raise.

We were seriously considering another child when I got the offer so I knew that maternity leave would be something I needed to think about. Ultimately, the pay increase won me over because it was just better in the long term financially. I am now pregnant with #2 and do not regret my decision at all.

If you sit down and do the math - i.e. how much you would lose when you take maternity leave vs. how much additional salary you are getting, it should make things pretty clear.

dashofreality · March 2014

New job. But I doubt you are going to find many companies that allow you to take 20 weeks. That could be a deal breaker for you though. If money is the issue you can look at getting AFLAC to supplement.

kmh2201 · March 2014

You typically have to work a certain number of hours (I think it's around 1,000) in the past 12 months to qualify for FMLA.

I'm always a fan of pros & cons lists. Pay is not always a reason to take a job. Do you think you'll like your new supervisor/manager? Will the new job offer a better work-life balance? Is the commute longer or shorter? Studies have shown that people are more likely to leave a position because they don't like their manager or work-life balance. Just some additional things to think about.

Good luck with your decision!

Curls218 · March 2014

I agree with PP. Take the new job. I assume you want to stay working after having another child, yes? Then the long term benefits of the new job outweigh the maternity leave time.

Cooper81 · March 2014

totally take the new job, even if there was zero paid M/L (assuming your position with the new company is protected under FMLA) that kind of increase in pay is long term, not a comparable to a possible 12 weeks or less of being unpaid. You only take leave for having a child a few times (unless you're a duggar-which is moot because their women don't work outside of the house) so I can't imagine where M/L would be something I would consider at the top of my list for comparing benefits.

ASmallWonder · March 2014

If the leave is the only thing holding you back, take it. You'll earn that pay for as long as you have the job (or more!). Having to cover 4-6 weeks without pay is nothing.