I'm still kicking myself because when I started working here, I had the chance to enroll in short-term disability, but I did not (because I did not know it covered pregnancy). Now, of course, I can't qualify. It makes me hate me quite a bit.
I did the exact same thing. I assumed it was something we got automatically (I have at every other place I've worked!) but NOPE, you have to sign up at least a year before having a baby.
I'm from Canada and we get one year paid (partial salary) and some employers will even top up so that you don't make any less during your leave. My employer tops up to 95% of my wage for the first eight months! Then the last four months I just get a portion. We are very very lucky up here! I plan on telling my boss as soon as I start showing.
I'm from Canada as well! My employee tops me up to 85% for first 17 weeks and 75% for the last 35 weeks. Reading this feed makes me realize how lucky we are.
I'm in the U.S. - my company allows 6 to 8 weeks of short term depending upon vaginal or caesarean birth. The first five days of my leave comes from my vacation days and then short term kicks in. I want to take 12 weeks so I will need to use the majority my vacation and then the rest will be unpaid. Luckily my company is more generous than most with vacation days as I get 30 each year. I also have the option of working weekend shifts for comp days. My 12 week leave will be a cobbling together of comp time, vacation, disability, and unpaid time. I'm very envious of the Canadian Mommies!!
I've been so sick, it was difficult to completely hide from some observant colleagues. My OB ordered an ultrasound this past week and I told my boss that day--once I knew my due date, before he heard elsewhere. I'm due 4/1 and I teach, so I'm hoping to take the remainder of the school year (8ish weeks), plus the 6 weeks I will have over the summer.
I plan on telling when I cross the 12 week mark. Here in Canada parental leave is one year, but I don't know if I can stay out that long. I may take 6 months then hubby takes the other 6 months.
@hadaway2015, I feel your pain! Im a neuro fellow, so I'm looking at trying to get away with six weeks, but in reality, it's going to be two weeks plus a month of "elective" time that'll hopefully keep me out of the hospital and clinic for a good chunk of it. Then again, the guilt of everyone having to cross cover your workload in your absence sucks.
I'm a Canadian Mom too and work for the government so I get topped up to 95% salary for the first 17 weeks. I'll take the full year but I have the utmost respect for American Mom's. I swear I kept y'all in the back of my mind on sleepless nights with my first. You deserve medals for the work-life balance you do or.. paid mat leave.
I'm 10 weeks and just found out my boss is resigning. I'm afraid to say something as I'm a part of his transition plan, but also worry about saying something after plans have been completed. My company does offer the 12 week leave but I'm hoping to work from home before that.
Healthcare still doesnt exist in the US if youre middle class. The upper class pays for every penny and gets excellent service and the lower class get welfare benefits. The middle class doesnt get either in the U.S. :S
@kimey1 I lived in the US for 8 years then moved to Canada 2 years ago, and I am in healthcare so I have experienced it first hand in both countries. I noted that tax burden and brackets are fairly similar between the 2 countries, yet the affordability of healthcare is so different. Healthcare in the US also comes with more bells and whistles, and in Canada it comes with more waiting lists, but at the end of the day quality of care is the same in my opinion. It feels good not having to pay a penny (other than our tax contributions) for healthcare for the whole family (the only exception was my IVF which is not covered by Ontario right now but it will be in the near future). Not to mention the mat leave in Canada - 1 year is awesome and can be shared by both parents. I think Canada is a good example of social benefits that work, and given the similar tax burden in Canada and the US, I suspect it could be mimicked in the US if made a priority by future leaders.
@thaisac1 Yup-many of my Canadian friends are appalled at the price for healthcare in the US but they have mentioned that when really necessary, its better to not have to wait.
I'm self employed, so it's a little different for me. With my first, I just couldn't stay home anymore after two weeks. I packed up the kid and brought her in with me until she wasn't stationary anymore and then she went to daycare. Most daycares won't take kids until they're 6 weeks, so don't try to do the 2 weeks thing unless you can bring your LO in with you.
I'm taking the 12 weeks. I work in a male dominated industry and was a little concerned on how my pregnancy and maternity leave would be handled.
Told my boss yesterday (at 9w6d) and he was more than happy for me. He also started talking about a career transition upon my return from maternity leave as I will have been in role for 18 months and so it's the perfect time for a clean break and a new promotion. He also encouraged that I cut my travel schedule down through pregnancy (I am a regional sales manager so I travel a ton) and start to take more office days from home. He has a working wife and two kids so I think he just gets it. I also told HR and the echoed the same comments.
So, more than I could have hoped for and very very considerate. I was blown away.
I told my supervisor when i found out about it, around 6 weeks, i thought it was easier from my end when it came down to asking for time off for appointments and such(and if i were to loose it, i could take time off to grieve with no question). I only told my supervisor, and didn't specify not to spread the word(nor said she could), next thing i know i'm getting IM's and congratulations from others whom i rarely speak to. I don't mind in general, it was just a surprise. I'm in the US and my job does offer the 12 full weeks of unpaid maternity, and like some others giving birth falls under disability depending if you have it vaginally or c-section for 6-8 weeks at 60%.
Fortunately i'm in a position where my family can manage financially without my income so i plan to put in my 2 week notice when i reach 12 weeks(i'm going to be 9 weeks in a couple of days). If all goes smoothly i won't even have to stay the full 2 weeks, i also don't plan to go back to work for at least a year after it's born.
I'm a teacher so I'll take my initial 6 weeks off; then I'll also have the summer off. So a little over 12 weeks. My best advice is take off as much time as you can afford.
I'm torn. I can take 6 weeks sick, 6 of vacation, and then 12 FMLA. I kind of want to take all 24 but worry about the career implication. Plus my husband is a SAHD.
I am very fortunate to get 6 months maternity leave on full pay with an option of additional unpaid parental leave (hello from Ireland!)...I don't know how American families manage without paid maternity leave.
Re: Maternity Leave
You deserve medals for the work-life balance you do or.. paid mat leave.
Told my boss yesterday (at 9w6d) and he was more than happy for me. He also started talking about a career transition upon my return from maternity leave as I will have been in role for 18 months and so it's the perfect time for a clean break and a new promotion. He also encouraged that I cut my travel schedule down through pregnancy (I am a regional sales manager so I travel a ton) and start to take more office days from home. He has a working wife and two kids so I think he just gets it. I also told HR and the echoed the same comments.
So, more than I could have hoped for and very very considerate. I was blown away.