Maternity leave

emmycakes1010 · November 2014

I work for a Swedish company. However, we set up a LLC in the US so I could get a paycheck from a US based company... So I'm technically employed by the US division. Since I started working for them three years ago they've always been very supportive of me wanting to start a family. They take excellent care of their employees who are parents - if you don't know sweden tops the charts for taking care of new moms and dads, they get at least a year of paid paternity leave. So when I finally told my Swedish based boss I was preggers he said "you are very lucky you work for a Swedish company who takes great care of their pregnant employees. I don't have details now but you will be taken care of" I told him my at my previous job I was offered at least 12 weeks, 80% of my pay and I want at least that. So when his grand plan was presented it was pretty disappointing. I was offered the 12 weeks but at 35% of my pay, he made it clear they were being very generous and they didn't have to legally do anything for me. Anyways, after negotiations I'm now taking 6 weeks at 80%. Which is fine but I'd really like to take some more time. I read something about FMLA in Cali where you get at least 55% of your pay and you can make up the rest of your salary with vacation or sick days. Does anyone know if this is just a Cali thing? Also is it only for larger companies? Our US office is in Pittsburgh, PA. We currently have 5 employees in the office so we are a "small company" I'm afraid since we are small there's nothing to protect me. Does anyone have experience with maternity leave and small companies?

wolowizard · November 2014

From my understanding FMLA is non paid up to 12 weeks. It's up to the company if they pay you. I can take up to 12 weeks but I only get paid if I have PTO or short term disability.

AMShark · November 2014

FMLA is a federal act & it applies to all 50 states. Many states (like NJ & CA) have additional laws to protect your job during medical leave, but I don't think PA is one of them (based on a google search today - I'm no expert).
From a meeting I had with HR at my company (over 1,000 employees) I think the federal law does not apply to small companies that could have difficulty functioning if an employee needed to take an extended leave.
Here's the link I found if you want to read more. I can't vouch for the source, but it seems pretty legit.
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/family-medical-leave-pennsylvania.html

thing3ontheway · November 2014

Fmla is not paid, my last maternity leave I took 12 weeks unpaid, I would have been happy to get any percentage of my check while gone but not a dime was sent my way, except my addition vacation time which if I recall correctly I had to use all of before my FMLA could start. So be aware that if you have a weeks worth of vacation I believe that they make you use that before approving your FMLA.

Ifeellikeamammal · November 2014

Agree with previous comments, but also wanted to congratulate you on your awesome negotiation skills! You made a compelling case for better treatment.... That's how things get better for us working gals.

Murran131 · November 2014

FMLA is merely protection of your job for a certain number of weeks. You have to have worked for the company for a certain amount of time to qualify, and the company has to be big enough to meet the criteria (not sure what the size is, but I'm betting bigger than 5 employees). For such a small company, their offer sounds fairly reasonable to me. I work for a City so we do have FMLA. My job is protected for 12 weeks, but I only get paid for that time because I have the paid leave and sick days saved up to cover it all.

emarsh0415 · November 2014

FMLA just protects your job while you are out on maternity leave, it gives you up to 12 weeks in-paid leave. The law leaves a lot of how each company handles FMLA, example - the company that I work for requires that you use all vacation and sick time while you are out.

FMLA also only protects under certain requirements. Small companies normally do not have to comply, I think that the rule is 50 employees within a certain mile radius. Attached it's a link that contains more information.

https://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/employeeguide.pdf

Congrats on getting at least partial pay!

JaneShops · November 2014

Sorry to bust your bubble, but California does not require employers to provide paid leave. aka, there is NO paid leave in California. Unless, your job offers it as a perk

FMLA is job protection, allowing 12 weeks in 12 months. There are some requirements that make you eligible, so not everyone gets it. I work for the county, & we can use FMLA
- in 2 week increments
- requested a month prior
- approved by my immediate boss

https://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/ohr/supervisor/DGSFMLAPolicyProcedures.pdf

JaneShops · November 2014

Ps, congrats on 80% paid for 6 weeks
That's awesome

CivilMommy · November 2014

FMLA is NOT paid leave. You should check the California FMLA laws to see if they have regulations for smaller companies (you go by your work site location, not the headquarters location as far as I know.)

FMLA is purely job protection.

People who want paid leave take out short term disability. Aflac, or have a company that offers it as a perk.

Paid leave is NOT a guaranteed thing.

leoni7 · November 2014

I signed up for short term disability which will give you 80% and lasts up to 6 months. In nys they guarantee your job for 12 weeks. So I will take it for that long or possibly do part time at the end.

taahira · November 2014

During my 2nd pregnancy I worked for a Swedish company in England. Although the company had a branch in England, our benefits were based on what they offer in Sweden. It was way better than the typical maternity leave in England. I'm surprised they don't follow their company policy throughout regardless of where they are based.

mrsalvidrez · November 2014

I work for a major corporation and will get only 6 weeks leave. I believe only 4 of that is paid. And yes I have the opportunity to supplement additional time with paid vacation, but I think only up to an additional 2 weeks. I am hoping to take 8 weeks leave total and only use 1 week paid leave so I have 2 weeks paid time to use throughout the rest of the year for emergencies, sick days, etc.

emmycakes1010 · November 2014

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Very helpful!! Best wishes.

kurban627 · November 2014

If you have short term disability, pregnancy qualifies. Make sure you check it out

SuperFudge00 · November 2014

kurban627 said:
If you have short term disability, pregnancy qualifies. Make sure you check it out

This ^^. My leave will be 55% supplemented by my PTO. This is because I pay for SDI from my paycheck.

patterson83 · November 2014

Wow this seems so unbelievable to me. In canada I get 1 year of Mat leave, I will get 85% of my pay for the first 6 months which includes a top up from my employer then after that I will get around 65% from the government. It's awesome we get to actually stay home a raise our babies without going broke. I feel for you US ladies!

bowman958 · November 2014

patterson83 said:
Wow this seems so unbelievable to me. In canada I get 1 year of Mat leave, I will get 85% of my pay for the first 6 months which includes a top up from my employer then after that I will get around 65% from the government. It's awesome we get to actually stay home a raise our babies without going broke. I feel for you US ladies!

Shut up Canada. Working US moms still raise their babies. Give me a break.

crossfit704 · November 2014

Technically you don't even qualify for fmla. Companies have to have over 50 employees to qualify regardless of time you have worked there.

Smash1215 · November 2014

I live in California and work for a good sized company (around 2,000 people). I get 6 weeks of disability at 55% of my salary then 6 weeks of paid family leave, which is also 55% of salary. I also purchased a short term disability insurance policy that will supplement the first 6 weeks at up to like 75% or something.

The paid family leave doesn't have to be taken right away, but I think I'm going to use it for weeks 7-12.

Puppies+Rainbows+Unicorns · November 2014

I work for a German company and totally understand where you are coming from. I was just talking to someone based in Frankfurt today and they asked me if I was planning on starting my leave in January (due in April) and if I would be out for more than a year. He was shocked when I said I would start my leave in March and only be gone a couple of months.

patterson83 · November 2014

Omg I was just saying it would be nice if you ladies had more time to stay home! Does everything have to bee received as negative? Geez

Prpljade · November 2014

patterson83 said:

Omg I was just saying it would be nice if you ladies had more time to stay home! Does everything have to bee received as negative? Geez

"you people" ??????????

Edit to add, nice edit. Thanks.

edelat11 · November 2014

How can I become a Canadian citizen?

One year maternity leave, woah.

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Maternity leave

Re: Maternity leave

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DD 7/2010, DS 3/2012, #3 due 4/24/2015

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