maternity leave

Amyface813 · May 2014

This is making me depressed! We can get up to 12 weeks off but no pay! I can use all 4 weeks of my 2015 vacation but then I have to take all the rest as unpaid. I think I need a new job!

kim1730 · May 2014

Based on my last pregnancies, I'm planning on leaving work about 6 weeks before my due date. STD plan will pay at 80% of my salary. Then I get 8 weeks 100% paid from my employer, followed by about a month of vacation time, then 6 weeks paid by NJ family leave. So I'll probably end up right around 6 months off from work.

YellowTulips521 · May 2014

I'm entitled to 12 weeks unpaid under FMLA. Last time I took the full 12, this time will probably be 10. They pay out your accrued PTO once we start leave and I will be lucky if I have a week. It sucks coming back to no PTO.

desertsun · May 2014

I'm part time at my job, so I am not eligible for FML. I will only get the medically mandated 6 weeks for vaginal birth or 8 weeks for c-section. I do have enough PTO saved up to cover that amount of time. I may also ask about unpaid leave. It previously would not have been approved, but a new higher up may be making changes. I just know from my first c/s that I barely felt normal at 8 weeks. I'm hoping for a VBAC, but if I end up with RCS...10 weeks would be much preferable to 8.

mflowers929 · May 2014

richardsj2 said:

How about your DHs?

In the US (under the FMLA), anyone, male or female, can take 12 weeks (unpaid) for the care of a new child. Is anyone's husband going to take advantage of this?

I wish we could. My DH is planning to take a week of vacation time but that's it. I'd really like him to be able to take a couple weeks of unpaid leave but he's concerned his company will react negatively to the request. I know that 'legally' they cannot, but historically people have lost promotions after taking extended unpaid leave time.

In Canada, our parental leave can apparently cross over with our maternity leave, so my hubby was thinking of maybe taking the first month off, to bond with baby and to help me out. We haven't talked too much about it yet.

jayellekay · May 2014

I'll be taking the 12 allowed me through FMLA. I work for a university--no paid maternity leave, but I'll use a bit of sick/vacation time, plus I have an Aflac policy that will cut me a pretty decent check.

MauraLou25 · May 2014

richardsj2 said:
How about your DHs?

In the US (under the FMLA), anyone, male or female, can take 12 weeks (unpaid) for the care of a new child. Is anyone's husband going to take advantage of this?

I wish we could. My DH is planning to take a week of vacation time but that's it. I'd really like him to be able to take a couple weeks of unpaid leave but he's concerned his company will react negatively to the request. I know that 'legally' they cannot, but historically people have lost promotions after taking extended unpaid leave time.

DH took two weeks for DS. It was amazing bonding time for all of us. He's doing the same for this baby. Works out well though, since he works for a university and Christmas Eve through New Year's Day is all paid time off.

hellopartyof5 · May 2014

kim1730 said:
Based on my last pregnancies, I'm planning on leaving work about 6 weeks before my due date. STD plan will pay at 80% of my salary. Then I get 8 weeks 100% paid from my employer, followed by about a month of vacation time, then 6 weeks paid by NJ family leave. So I'll probably end up right around 6 months off from work.

Same. Gotta love NJ - the taxes are ridiculous, but when I was looking at our benefits I was pleasantly surprised

Annamartha · May 2014

I get 16 weeks unpaid .... But my employer (a county government) is making me start using that leave to cover the overtime I'm not doing because of severe morning sickness. Does that seem extremely messed up to any one else?? I'm putting in my 40 hours per week, but am not doing all the overtime they want me to do so I have to use my maternity leave to cover it. As others have said, yay America!

passionfruit1234 · May 2014

I'll be taking 1 year off, most of it unpaid. This it the max amount i will be able to take off and keep my job. I'm imagining my work will not be thrilled about this though but i'm hoping as i'll be taking the whole year they can employ someone else to cover for me during that time.

merebear09 · May 2014

Annamartha said:

I get 16 weeks unpaid .... But my employer (a county government) is making me start using that leave to cover the overtime I'm not doing because of severe morning sickness. Does that seem extremely messed up to any one else?? I'm putting in my 40 hours per week, but am not doing all the overtime they want me to do so I have to use my maternity leave to cover it. As others have said, yay America!

What? Yeah, that seems completely messed up. I'm no law expert, but how can they force you to do overtime? Is that part of your contract? I'd look into that. They might be violating some labor laws there.

byrne15 · May 2014

With ds#1 I took 2 weeks off :-(

With ds#2 I took 8 weeks off

With this one I will take 6-8 weeks off

lovelovelove09 · May 2014

Im canadian as well. I get a year. 6 months 85% /6 months 65% (I work at a hospital). I can have them in any order I want...I'm thinking one 85%, one 65% - and go back and fourth like that.

ltp10 · May 2014

Did you purchase your own STD policy outside a company? I take it I cannot purchase through AFLAC now that I'm KU

murphy420 · May 2014

Canadian also, I'll be taking the full
Year at 55% of my wage. I think all woman deserve the full year off, even at the reduced wage. I wish Americans received the same.

erynpdx · May 2014

Apparently I'm not even covered under FMLA. UGH. Stupid tiny company. Fingers crossed 9 years in a 3 person company means my boss feels some loyalty.

cwbh928 · May 2014

I just started looking into my company's maternatiy leave policy. I work for a large companyy (Siemens) they are pretty generous in regards to work/life balance. So far i found I will be able to take off about 20 weeks paid - then I can use FMLA Act and take that time off! My husband is also given paternatiy leave for about a month so that will be nice.

Ultimately though -- my husband and I both agreed that we are in a position so that I will be able to stay home and take care of the baby for as long as I need/want. We are very fortunate in this matter. I don't think my job would appreciate either outcome but it is what it is and I am sure down the road I will be going back to work!

kath16 · May 2014

candycem said:

Based on my last pregnancies, I'm planning on leaving work about 6 weeks before my due date. STD plan will pay at 80% of my salary. Then I get 8 weeks 100% paid from my employer, followed by about a month of vacation time, then 6 weeks paid by NJ family leave. So I'll probably end up right around 6 months off from work.
Same. Gotta love NJ - the taxes are ridiculous, but when I was looking at our benefits I was pleasantly surprised

Just to warn you NJ ladies - make sure you check with your company too. Our company will only pay you the difference between NJ benefits and your salary. So for example if you make $1000/week and NJ pays you $500/week, our company will only pay you $500/week too to make up the difference.

This goes for you too, California. NY, Hawaii and Puerto Rico!

kath16 · May 2014

BTW since I didn't answer the question for myself ... I get three weeks before my due date and then 6-8 weeks after fully paid. After that I can apply for up to six months unpaid. In my dream world, I'll be able to get to June when my H is off for the summer. There are a lot of variables though that we're still working out between ourselves and then of course with my company/boss as well.

I'll have to do a minimum of 12 weeks off though since most daycares will really only take kids who are 12 weeks or older.

Heorwig · May 2014

bvsbabymomma said:
I am entitled to take 12 weeks per FMLA, 4 weeks will be fully paid because I've saved up my PTO, 6 weeks will be STD paid at 60% and the rest will be nothing and we've saved up money in anticipation. I really want to stay home forever but we bought an expensive house and are a still getting back on our feet. When we have our next baby I will quit my job.

This is pretty much exactly my situation.

orange1414 · May 2014

I'm eligible for 12 weeks FMLA, but will only get paid for my PTO. I should have about 3 weeks of that. I'm contemplating SAH, though. DH is up for a raise in June, so that should help decide things one way or another.

abcmom12 · May 2014

really hoping to take 12, but it all depends on how much short term disability I have and how much PTO...right now my PTO won't cover much

EmuTavi · May 2014

Okay, maybe one of you can figure this out for me. I am a teacher. I know FMLA is 12 weeks but is that 60 work days or 12 calendar weeks? If it's 60 work days I will be able to stay out another 2 weeks or so as I'm a teacher and winter break will be in the beginning of my leave.

Daneicy80 · May 2014

ZoeyH14 said:

Okay, maybe one of you can figure this out for me. I am a teacher. I know FMLA is 12 weeks but is that 60 work days or 12 calendar weeks? If it's 60 work days I will be able to stay out another 2 weeks or so as I'm a teacher and winter break will be in the beginning of my leave.

I would check with your HR person. The first time I took FMLA I took the whole 12 weeks in a lump sum. So if there were holidays over that period they were eaten up by an FMLA day so it was just 12 calendar weeks. The second time I took it I used 2 days per week (essentially to work part time). This way I got the 60 full days because if there was a holiday I didn't need to use an FMLA day for it.

Daneicy80 · May 2014

My plans for this time around are to take 4 weeks before the baby is born (standard in NJ), this will be at 2/3 pay (disability pay). Then I get 6 weeks 2/3 pay (disability) for vaginal delivery. Then NJ offers 6 weeks of FMLA at 2/3 pay. Then finally the last 6 weeks of FMLA at no pay.

Total time off: 22 weeks, but 4 before and 18 after.

Also, I may or may not return... I will decide when the time comes. I have returned twice but a third baby may tip the scales in favor of me becoming a SAHM.

ebilbao · May 2014

I'm also a teacher but at a private school. I'll be taking off from December to the first week of May, when my hubster finishes teaching. He will stay home while I finish out the year, and then the baby will be in daycare from September. My leave won't all be paid, but it works out better for us than paying for daycare for a six week old.

arynras · May 2014

I teach K also...I thought I was only entitled to 6 weeks? How are you able to get so much time off?

EmuTavi · May 2014

arynras said:
I teach K also...I thought I was only entitled to 6 weeks? How are you able to get so much time off?

If you are in the US, The Family Medical Leave Act allows you to take 12 unpaid weeks off. Most places will allow you to take sick days and personal days to then get paid for that time. You have to have been with your job full time for a year and the company has to employ a certain number of people in order to be eligible. Some states (like NJ) then grant extra leave after the 12 weeks. Canada has an awesome system for moms after birth. Not sure exactly what it is but hubs and I kind of envy it right now.

Want a personalized experience?

maternity leave

Re: maternity leave

Choose Another Board

Search Boards