The US is the only developed country without paid maternity leave

scarlet3egonias · June 2014

I thought this was a pretty interesting article: https://news.nationalpost.com/2014/06/24/u-s-should-join-rest-of-industrialized-countries-and-offer-paid-maternity-leave-obama/

I know there are great arguments for either side of the discussion but after finding out that I only get 6 weeks paid (2 of which I've already used for doctor appointments) I think it would be awesome if this passed before November.

MollMoll4 · June 2014

Should we have paid maternity leave? Absolutely. However, as pp noted, no one is going to want to pay for it. I hope it will happen eventually, but I don't see it as even a remote possibility by November.

mamaluzi · June 2014

scarlet3egonias said:

I thought this was a pretty interesting article: https://news.nationalpost.com/2014/06/24/u-s-should-join-rest-of-industrialized-countries-and-offer-paid-maternity-leave-obama/
I know there are great arguments for either side of the discussion but after finding out that I only get 6 weeks paid (2 of which I've already used for doctor appointments) I think it would be awesome if this passed before November.

6 weeks PAID?? I wish I even had that. It's amazing to me that teaching is such a women-heavy and unionized profession and yet we only get whatever sick time we have left as maternity pay along with up to 12 weeks of UNPAID leave (gee, thanks :-P). I mean, happy to have my job garanteed when I come back, but I'll still be broke-ass-broke anyway!

PineApple85 · June 2014

I'm libertarian and for smaller government as a rule and a huge proponent of personal responsibility. It doesn't make sense to me for a benefit like this to come from the government either in funding or as a mandate on the employer. If the employer wants to offer it as a benefit then great but I don't think it should be mandated.

I plan my PTO as much as possible to save what I need to cover doctor's visits as well as my time off after the birth and I pay for short term disability that allows me to take the full 3 months protected by FMLA. It's my choice to have children and therefore my responsibility to plan for it.

I understand that's a UO, especially among women and especially in online communities that tend to favor left-leaning politics but I don't understanding expecting other people (tax payers) to carry the burden of my choice to have children.

ccam · June 2014

I would love to have 6 weeks paid!

scarlet3egonias · June 2014

aluzitano said:

scarlet3egonias said:

6 weeks PAID?? I wish I even had that. It's amazing to me that teaching is such a women-heavy and unionized profession and yet we only get whatever sick time we have left as maternity pay along with up to 12 weeks of UNPAID leave (gee, thanks :-P). I mean, happy to have my job garanteed when I come back, but I'll still be broke-ass-broke anyway!

I know that there are many that are worse off than me. I am really thankful that I get anything at all and also thankful that I have a second household income. I also totally understand the argument that higher taxes suck. My “maternity leave” is essentially my “sick” time. So any time I’ve got an appointment or get sick – I lose that time at home after the birth. When I lost a twin at 13.5 weeks I had to stay home for a few days – which is a few days I don’t get in November/December. I am saving all of my vacation time, but it still doesn’t add up to much.

cindyNmark2010 · June 2014

I chose a job that gave good benefits for families because I knew I wanted to have one. My job recently instituted a 40 hour alllowance for medical reasons per calendar year that is allowed to be taken in as little as 15 minute incriments, so that will cover most if not all of my doctor's visits. We also get 12 weeks paid maternity leave and up to another 8 unpaid. Fathers even get 2 weeks paternity leave here, DH's job also gives him 2 weeks.

sweetbabyrahe · June 2014

Interesting article. I do work for the federal government and although the article states that Obama doesn't have direct control of maternity leave benefits for federal employees, his stance is interesting to me as I have no paid maternity leave benefits and no short term disability. I am lucky that I have been able to save up vacation time and sick time for the last 3 years and will be able to take 12 weeks paid, but most of my colleagues are not so lucky. I do understand that raising taxes would be difficult in this already tough economy, but even 6 weeks would be great.

ssstephanie214 · June 2014

I honestly think this is something that will happen here within the next ten years provided that the right parties have control. Federal health care is in overhaul mode and maternity rights are becoming more recognized (see, breast pump rider, medical privacy rooms in new building construction). I think paid maternity leave might sneak into phase 2 of health care reform, whatever that is its coming up within the next decade.

MmmPopcorn · June 2014

No paid maternity leave here. I was lucky enough to get short-term disability insurance through the small business that my dad owns, but if I didn't have the option, I'd be SOL since I'm the primary breadwinner in my family.

I'm employed by a Catholic diocese that does not cover birth control in its health insurance policies for moral reasons. However, I'm irritated that the diocese refuses to offer any paid maternity or paternity leave or short-term disability insurance to its employees (who are predominantly female). It seems to contradict their "family first" values.

Lilwatz · June 2014

sweetbabyrahe said:

Interesting article. I do work for the federal government and although the article states that Obama doesn't have direct control of maternity leave benefits for federal employees, his stance is interesting to me as I have no paid maternity leave benefits and no short term disability. I am lucky that I have been able to save up vacation time and sick time for the last 3 years and will be able to take 12 weeks paid, but most of my colleagues are not so lucky. I do understand that raising taxes would be difficult in this already tough economy, but even 6 weeks would be great.

Really? I am ex-federal government and we had a(n optional) leave bank where you paid in 6 hours of leave a year and could use 6 weeks for a variety of medical reasons, to include maternity leave. 8 for a c-section I believe. I quit while we were trying to conceive and my current policy is worse (1 week off then 6 weeks STD which is 66% pay), but the pay increase for public sector to private industry well outweighed this deficit.

momtojad · June 2014

I hope a change is made. Other countries may be paying higher taxes but I bet the rates of PPD are lower, the breastfeeding rates are higher and infants are healthier. I obviously do not have any data but if you we weren't so pressured to return to work so soon our kids would benefit. I work for a company that has 3 employees within the given radius so I am not covered by FMLA but am very lucky to get 4 weeks of STD after I use my two weeks of vacation.

carcrashheart · June 2014

What does PPD have to do with paid leave? That seems like a stretch.

I think it's a fine idea. On the other hand, I don't know that others should help pay for my decision to have a child.

This isn't passing before November. Lol at the thought that it might.

I knew I wouldn't get any paid leave and purposely sought out an individual hospitalization plan before getting pregnant to help cover lost income.

missnacholover · June 2014

I don't really expect people to pay into my decision to have a child.

I almost wish there was a system in play like STD - you pay for the elective benefit if you think you'll need it. So people of childbearing age could put $X amount in per paycheck and then if/when they use the benefit, you get your salary at 100%. Then, when you're done having children, you don't have to pay in. I don't think the 65 year old who is close to retirement should have to be forced to pay into a benefit he or she will not use.

For me, personally, my company pays my STD premium and I will receive 2/3 pay for 6 or 8 weeks (vaginal vs. C-section) and have to supplement the remaining weeks with PTO or without pay. I've calculated it out and I should get some sort of pay for all but maybe 2 weeks (assuming I don't need to take much time off before then).

momtojad · June 2014

carcrashheart said:

What does PPD have to do with paid leave? That seems like a stretch. I think it's a fine idea. On the other hand, I don't know that others should help pay for my decision to have a child. This isn't passing before November. Lol at the thought that it might. I knew I wouldn't get any paid leave and purposely sought out an individual hospitalization plan before getting pregnant to help cover lost income.

So many of my stressors and anxiety issues stemmed from returning to work and I how I was going to make everything fall into place. If I had more time I think it would definitely have been easier. Who knows if I wouldn't have been diagnosed with PPD but I know the anxiety wouldn't' have been there to aggravate it.

highbornhunter · June 2014

cindyNmark2010 said:

I chose a job that gave good benefits for families because I knew I wanted to have one. My job recently instituted a 40 hour alllowance for medical reasons per calendar year that is allowed to be taken in as little as 15 minute incriments, so that will cover most if not all of my doctor's visits. We also get 12 weeks paid maternity leave and up to another 8 unpaid. Fathers even get 2 weeks paternity leave here, DH's job also gives him 2 weeks.

That's awesome, I want to apply to work where you work!

My job has been pretty great about letting me flex hour and switch shifts so I haven't had to use time for my Dr's appts.

PineApple85 · June 2014

missnacholover said:

I don't really expect people to pay into my decision to have a child.

I almost wish there was a system in play like STD - you pay for the elective benefit if you think you'll need it. So people of childbearing age could put $X amount in per paycheck and then if/when they use the benefit, you get your salary at 100%. Then, when you're done having children, you don't have to pay in. I don't think the 65 year old who is close to retirement should have to be forced to pay into a benefit he or she will not use.

For me, personally, my company pays my STD premium and I will receive 2/3 pay for 6 or 8 weeks (vaginal vs. C-section) and have to supplement the remaining weeks with PTO or without pay. I've calculated it out and I should get some sort of pay for all but maybe 2 weeks (assuming I don't need to take much time off before then).

That's awesome! So like an HSA or retirement account that deposits could be pre-tax, maybe? I would totally take advantage of that!

missnacholover · June 2014

PineApple85 said:

missnacholover said:

I don't really expect people to pay into my decision to have a child.

I almost wish there was a system in play like STD - you pay for the elective benefit if you think you'll need it. So people of childbearing age could put $X amount in per paycheck and then if/when they use the benefit, you get your salary at 100%. Then, when you're done having children, you don't have to pay in. I don't think the 65 year old who is close to retirement should have to be forced to pay into a benefit he or she will not use.

For me, personally, my company pays my STD premium and I will receive 2/3 pay for 6 or 8 weeks (vaginal vs. C-section) and have to supplement the remaining weeks with PTO or without pay. I've calculated it out and I should get some sort of pay for all but maybe 2 weeks (assuming I don't need to take much time off before then).

That's awesome! So like an HSA or retirement account that deposits could be pre-tax, maybe? I would totally take advantage of that!

Yeah, and it'd be optional. And maybe there'd be different plans, like, "I want to contribute $25/pay to get 5 weeks 100% paid" or something.

scarlet3egonias · June 2014

@missnacholover for president!

missnacholover · June 2014

scarlet3egonias said:

@missnacholover for president!

NACHOS FOR EVERYONE!

sweetbabyrahe · June 2014

No @lilwatz maybe it depends on what federal agency you work for. We can bank up to 6 weeks of annual leave per calendar year and sick leave accrues separately and has no cap for carryover. You accrue leave as you work and it depends on length of time you have been an employee. You can also voluntarily transfer annual leave hours to other employees in emergencies if that person signs up. With DS, I had banked 9 weeks worth of leave, my mom (a gov employee) donated 2 weeks and I returned to work after 11 weeks. This time I have 11 weeks banked but because of baby being born in November there will also be 5 paid holidays, so I will return after 12 weeks. I am not complaining because I still will be paid, but it is all hours I have accrued by not taking much vacation for many years.

colettey_37 · June 2014

I feel for you ladies i couldnt imagine leaving my baby at 6 weeks

Move to Canada, ya its cold here but you can snuggle your babe all winter long?!

missnacholover · June 2014

sweetbabyrahe said:

No @lilwatz maybe it depends on what federal agency you work for. We can bank up to 6 weeks of annual leave per calendar year and sick leave accrues separately and has no cap for carryover. You accrue leave as you work and it depends on length of time you have been an employee. You can also voluntarily transfer annual leave hours to other employees in emergencies if that person signs up. With DS, I had banked 9 weeks worth of leave, my mom (a gov employee) donated 2 weeks and I returned to work after 11 weeks. This time I have 11 weeks banked but because of baby being born in November there will also be 5 paid holidays, so I will return after 12 weeks. I am not complaining because I still will be paid, but it is all hours I have accrued by not taking much vacation for many years.

So you don't have to count holidays towards your leave?

I wonder how that works if you're on STD?

KTgator · June 2014

@MmmPopcorn‌ I also work for a catholic diocese as a teacher, and though I do not get any paid leave, I was able to sign up for STD. I just found out recently though that it only covers 8 weeks PP (and 2 of those weeks don't count, so really only paid STD for 6 weeks). It is SO frustrating! "We want you to have lots of babies, but we don't want to help you when the time actually comes." My husband is also a teacher within the diocese, so when he takes time off after baby is born it will be rough

Carebella · June 2014

I don't think it's unfair to expect everyone to contribute to something that benefits the majority. Having healthier babies and moms is a benefit to society. Someday one of our babies could be the one to cure breast cancer. Or figure out how to have green energy for everyone. Do I like and support everything my tax dollars go towards? Nope. But the hope is that most of the time it is for something that is best for the majority. And I think there are more than enough studies to support that having extra paid time off for mom and SO when baby arrives is very beneficial.

acholb · June 2014

@lilwatz for my federal place of employment, we can only use the leave bank after we use up all of our sick leave and annual leave. But we're only allowed to use 6 weeks of our sick leave. So even though I have thousands of sick leave hours built up I can't use them, only 6-8 weeks. Then after that I have to take my vacation time. I'm sure other agencies may be different.

momtojad · June 2014

missnacholover said:

sweetbabyrahe said:

No @lilwatz maybe it depends on what federal agency you work for. We can bank up to 6 weeks of annual leave per calendar year and sick leave accrues separately and has no cap for carryover. You accrue leave as you work and it depends on length of time you have been an employee. You can also voluntarily transfer annual leave hours to other employees in emergencies if that person signs up. With DS, I had banked 9 weeks worth of leave, my mom (a gov employee) donated 2 weeks and I returned to work after 11 weeks. This time I have 11 weeks banked but because of baby being born in November there will also be 5 paid holidays, so I will return after 12 weeks. I am not complaining because I still will be paid, but it is all hours I have accrued by not taking much vacation for many years.

So you don't have to count holidays towards your leave?

I wonder how that works if you're on STD?

My short term disability does not take into count holidays. Paid holidays are for employee who are working during that time.

sweetbabyrahe · June 2014

not at my job @missnacholover, federal holidays are paid automatically and don't comes out of the leave bank. I don't have to take vacation time for that. I did at my former job in the community though.

missnacholover · June 2014

@momtojad - I think that's how it is at my job too. One thing to ask when I have my conference call with HR in the next couple of months!

Lilwatz · June 2014

acholb said:

@lilwatz for my federal place of employment, we can only use the leave bank after we use up all of our sick leave and annual leave. But we're only allowed to use 6 weeks of our sick leave. So even though I have thousands of sick leave hours built up I can't use them, only 6-8 weeks. Then after that I have to take my vacation time. I'm sure other agencies may be different.

Same for my old workplace. But I was good about using my leave.

carafern · June 2014

Carebella said:

I don't think it's unfair to expect everyone to contribute to something that benefits the majority. Having healthier babies and moms is a benefit to society. Someday one of our babies could be the one to cure breast cancer. Or figure out how to have green energy for everyone. Do I like and support everything my tax dollars go towards? Nope. But the hope is that most of the time it is for something that is best for the majority. And I think there are more than enough studies to support that having extra paid time off for mom and SO when baby arrives is very beneficial.

I agree with this. I get not wanting to pay for something you don't use but that happens all the time -- its government. I'm not directly benefiting from most ways taxes are used, but this makes sense to me as something that is good for society as a whole.

I get no paid leave. I'm a graduate student so I am taking the fall term off. Fortunately I'm covered by DH's insurance and he earns enough for both of us.

kikimeemee · June 2014

This might be an unfavorable standpoint, but it's mine: I don't want to pay more taxes for paid maternity leave as I'd much rather pay taxes as they are now and control/budget my own money but have longer job protection time off (like 6 months instead of 12 weeks for FMLA). I trust myself with my money more than handing it over to the government to divvy up not so fairly.

MrsLillyG · June 2014

Hmm not sure where I stand on the situation. My company is not big enough for fmla. I do have to use unused sick and vacation and holiday for 30 calendar days and then get std pay equal to 60% of my salary. I am worried however I won't have a job when I get back. My company has been struggling. I would love to get a new job now but who the heck is going to hired a pregnant lady?

Lilwatz · June 2014

So, I used to feel the same way about the taxes (not wanting to pay them), especially as someoe who never wanted kids (until recently). This post is going to be fairly useless and I apologize for that, but there was a woman at my old work who was passionate about this topic and made a really good case as to why there should be state sponsored maternity leave. I cannot recall nearly any of the specifics (hence the useless comment, sorry), but it had to do with procreaters contributing to society as a whole and all of us benefiting from it. If I can find a parallel argument online, I'll link it here later. Something worth thinking about.

jac409 · June 2014

I agree with those who do not want to pay more taxes for paid maternity leave. There is so much government waste with the taxes we already pay, I would much rather see them cut some of the pork and reduce taxes so we can keep and have more control over the money we earn. I also do not think the government should be mandating companies to provide this benefit to their employees. Unfortunately, there are a lot of small businesses out there that simply can't afford this type of mandate. This is just one more expense that would likely force a lot of small businesses to reduce their staff, hours or shut their doors.

meeshybee · June 2014

I guess I was lucky. I got 6 weeks maternity leave (as in, after baby was born) at 60% pay. I thought all companies did that.

lil_shocker · June 2014

I think that there should be paid maternity and paternity leave, but I think it should be paid by larger companies rather than government, with perhaps a tax credit going towards companies for paying it. Small companies shouldn't have to pay, but if possible it would be nice to allow longer time if needed.

I understand the "I'm smart with money, I don't need it and I don't want to pay for it", the "government should play a smaller role in our lives", and the "other developed governments pay for it, ours should too" standpoints. I think that the government has some major issues with funding, taxes, and lobbyists, and don't think it is a smart decision to leave it in their responsibility.

The thing with maternity leave is that FMLA is just the required leave. Your employer has every ability to grant you extra time off and still not replace you if asked. Your employer can give you time off even if they don't fall under FMLA. They have the ability to offer some sort of compensation, even though it isn't required. But most corporations don't understand or care that taking care of your employees results in less turn-over, higher productivity, and job satisfaction, and isn't a stupid expenditure.

But, that's just me and my value system.

jillybean7582 · June 2014

Part of the problem in my opinion is if you work for a small company in the US you are A) not protected by FMLA to even secure your job and

most likely do not have the option of STD.

I work in architecture and unless you work at a big international firm or a firm with numerous offices chances are you are working somewhere with under 50 people. I work currently work for a firm that is 18 people total in two offices and we are considered a medium size firm. We do not get FMLA protection and STD is not offered.

I tried to sign up for individual STD prior to try to get pregnant and found that NO indivdual plans offered maternity coverage it had to be a group plan to get maternity coverage. We planned ahead prepared for 12 wks unpaid just like we did with DS and we already have my 12 wks of take home pay set aside but having the option to purchase my own STD would uave been nice.

megbanachek · June 2014

In Australia we get 18 weeks paid parental leave. I think the father also gets 2 weeks paid leave.
& our employer must reserve our job for us for 6-12 months, if we choose to return to work after the baby is born.
I know nothing about the taxes in the US, but in Australia the paid parental leave scheme has been a government initiative for so long now that no one questions the taxes.

MrsDL · June 2014

With DS I had 12 weeks 100% paid - my company had 100% reimbursement for STD (I had 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery) and they provided a maternity benefit - 2 weeks 100% paid for every year of service up to 3 years - so I had another 6 weeks 100% paid. They valued their female employees, had a larger women's professional development group within the company, really wanted to attract and retain talent. While I realize not all professions care, I think the value of female employees is changing. More women than men are receiving undergrad and graduates degrees. For the first time, girls are testing with higher scores than boys in almost all subjects. It would be nice to think more companies would consider this on their own. Perhaps a tax incentive (they exist for everything else in business).

The issue is it would have to go into the payroll tax. Nearly half of Americans have no federal tax liability (this is key for those not from the US - in other countries you don't have so many credits and exemptions in the tax code that half your citizens pay nothing, with 10% of those getting back more than they actually pay). There is not enough collected in the payroll tax now to cover future liabilities in Medicare and SS benefits. So even adding the proposed 2 cents per every $10 made for a maternity benefit wouldn't probably go to cover that - the US will end-up further in debt. Really with the state of finances, I don't see this happening until the government can get spending under control to the point that certain liabilities are safely covered, there will be no "locked-box" for this - the money will be diverted to other programs which have had their funds diverted to pay for yet even more programs that aren't collect enough to pay on promises. That would be my issue with this. If it was done, there would have to be obvious caps - 2 or 3 pregnancies perhaps after a certain # of years of service.

I saw a facebook post on Obama's announcement yesterday. It's amazing how many ignorant comments there were. There were people under the impression that something like this would be paid to all women who deliver, including non-working women, and how great that would be. It's paid leave - you wouldn't get it if you don't work!

Rhall2088 · June 2014

I get 7 weeks 100% of my pay and after that it is 65% and with my son they also paid 100% of my pay the 3 weeks I was on bed rest too. So I received 10 weeks at 100%

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