My boss is being a dick about maternity leave.

homebird · March 2016

Told my manager I was pregnant yesterday. He asked me how long I was planning to take for maternity leave and I said "Eight weeks, same as last time." Manager tells me the boss has been "scrutinizing the length of maternity leave" and will probably only allow six weeks this time.

1. I am part time and hourly. He doesn't pay for benefits/insurance for me and I don't get paid for maternity leave, so it's not like it would be hurting him financially. And I'm not asking for something that hasn't been done before. There have only been two babies born in our office between my last pregnancy and this one.

2. We are too small for FMLA so I geuss I don't have a leg to stand on? He could technically tell me that I had to come back the day after having the baby or be fired, and I'd have to do it.

I'm pissed. It's not set in stone until he speaks with the boss .. But I'm not feeling too positive about it. My husband is trying to talk me down saying six weeks isn't horrible. It's not what I want, but it's not horrible. To me, eight weeks is too early to be leaving a baby, let alone six. I hate maternity leave laws in this country.

My back-up plan A is to see if my OB will write me a "note" saying I can't return for medical reasons (my therapist may be able to write me one too as I always struggle with PPD). Back-up plan B is to offer to work from home for two weeks before returning to the office.

Ah825 · March 2016

What an ass. I'm sorry.

pilotswifey · March 2016

That sucks. I really don't understand why our country is so behind on these policies. The guy must not have a family...or a heart.

fiorip · March 2016

You only get 6 weeks? Even 8 weeks is too little. That's ridiculous. In my country we get 12 weeks by law, and a new law was passed that starting February 2017 maternity leave will be extended from 12 to 14 weeks.

BernieRae · March 2016

If the boss says six weeks, I would try to negotiate back to 8 which is what the established norm was. Sounds like you've worked there a while. Do you feel like you're an asset to the company? If you've had yearly reviews, have they been positive? Finding and training new employee takes effort and resources and it's not a sure thing that they'll work out. If you're a sure thing after leave, then remind them of that. Remind them of how you returned after your last baby and worked hard for the business. Good luck!

Ampip2270 · March 2016

I'm sorry about your situation, maybe I'm not fully understanding of the laws and I know each state/country is different, but aren't you considered "out on disability" until your doctor says you can return to work?

RedMar · March 2016

This is such shit. Do you really need the job if it doesn't offer benefits? Maybe it's a sign to look for a new place to work (when you've had a long enough maternity leave) and the baby can be the "diplomatic" excuse for leaving.

Sporty1216 · March 2016

Yeah. This is crazy. I'm sorry you are having to deal
with this. 6 weeks also assumes a vaginal birth. I wasn't "cleared for work" after my c-section until 8 weeks. 8 weeks seems like a minimally appropriate time for you to be back on your feet, however you deliver, let alone for the baby to be in childcare. I hope he comes to his senses or you can figure out some other plan.

TheTamedShrew · March 2016

WTAF. That's nuts. I would definitely push for the full 8 weeks. What a d- bag. Sorry you are having to deal with such a lack of understanding and compassion.

jensou · March 2016

Is there an actual policy on maternity leave? Seems it should be in a clause somewhere. If there is, and if it hasn't been changed on paper, you should be golden for the 8 weeks. Even if there was an official change, unless it was put into action before your pregnancy began.

Smashbox29 · March 2016

My current employment allows 12 weeks however its unpaid and your required to use up any leave time you have aquired first. I am okay with this because I can save up to 6 weeks of leave by the time I deliver and only have 6 weeks unpaid. I am very sorry your work is being rude. My previous employments were the same way. I may or may not be employed here though when I do go into labor if we move (Military) before due date. We are currently in limbo with not knowing.

hey_clever_girl · March 2016

That's so crappy. I was just talking to my husband this morning about what a joke maternity (AND paternity) care in this country is. I would try and push for 8 weeks. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this.

SarahDarah333 · March 2016

I have to talk to my boss again this week too- I told her last week and she was supportive- though I left maternity leave out of the conversation for now. Then after getting into it with my coworker, my boss mentioned that she's anxious about me being out. I recommended having part-time temporary help with my work for a few weeks, and I can log on from home and do 99% of my job from home as well, so we would only need help a day or two per week when we are open to the public. Finally she agreed to discuss a game plan, and mentioned I should consider my interns and who I think could handle it. I'm crossing my fingers for you and me both girl!

homebird · March 2016

BernieRae, those are all excellent points, thank you! I'm going to bring all of those things up if I need to have a follow up conversation with him about this.

Unfortunately, there is no written policy regarding maternity leave, it's just at the whim of my employer.

It really is a shitty place to work in general, and I've been looking for another job for a while now. Haven't found anything yet, and probably won't until after the baby is born.

If I can get my doctor or psychiatrist to write me a note saying I can't come back to work until XX time, he does have to honor it, but I doubt they're going to write me a note just because I don't want to go back to work yet? I don't know, I guess it's a conversation I'll have to have with them at some point. Or I'll just have to wait and see.

I know it's not the WORST case scenario. I actually know a few people whose employers made them come back to work at 4 weeks. It's just hard to think about leaving your newborn any earlier than you expected.

rissarox7 · March 2016

I don't mean for this to sound like I'm being an ass, but the states suck for maternity.
In Canada, we get 12 months and 55% of our wage. We pay taxes on it at the end of the year, but we get to watch our babe grow. 8 weeks !! Are you kidding?! Is your vagina even healed by then !!! I feel so horrible for you ladies.
I'd tell the boss to give you the 8 weeks or he can kiss your butt. Save money now if you can ! I hope that you all have the adequate time you all deserve.

Sarafuss · March 2016

I'm sorry your boss is such an ass. I also work for a small company so no FMLA here. Thankfully though I am full time and have STD and my employers are great. I would push for 8 weeks and continue looking for a new job with benefits and hope for the best.

@Ampip2270 yes, she would be out on disability until her doctor says she can return. But without being protected by FMLA her employer doesn't have to have a position for her to come back to.

jackiel1987 · March 2016

I'm only getting 6 weeks too. Simply because it's a small company and it's going to be rough with me gone. I will probably get to work from home for a few weeks after though. If your job is one that can be done remotely, you may want to try convincing them to let you do so.

vampirina · March 2016

@rissarox7 - I don't think many Americans will disagree with you - our maternity leave laws are a total joke compared to the rest developed world!

guitarra1614 · March 2016

@Rissarox7 You get 12 months and 55% of your wage?? Wah!!!! I probably will be taking the year off, but at 0% of my wage. Benefit of living in Canada!

nativetexan512 · March 2016

Sorry you are having to deal with this. Like a pp said, if you have had great performance and are seen as an asset to the company, hopefully the benefit of keeping you will outweigh your being gone those 2 extra weeks. Are they worried about covering your job while you are gone? Maybe you could offer to write up documentation about your role for a temp to fill in, or offer to train the person and be available for questions and emergencies.

I feel like a company has to know, if you are an a-hole to a mother about maternity leave, that mother will attempt to go elsewhere or at least resent you for it. Doesn't seem worth it to me for 2 weeks of work.

yellowrose314 · March 2016

guitarra1614 said:

@Rissarox7 You get 12 months and 55% of your wage?? Wah!!!! I probably will be taking the year off, but at 0% of my wage. Benefit of living in Canada!

That's the base amount from Employment Insurance. I work for a health authority, and after working somewhere around 400 hours you qualify for the top up, and the health authority adds an extra 30% to the 55% of your wage, totalling at 85%.

rissarox7 · March 2016

yellowrose314 said:

guitarra1614 said:

@Rissarox7 You get 12 months and 55% of your wage?? Wah!!!! I probably will be taking the year off, but at 0% of my wage. Benefit of living in Canada!

That's the base amount from Employment Insurance. I work for a health authority, and after working somewhere around 400 hours you qualify for the top up, and the health authority adds an extra 30% to the 55% of your wage, totalling at 85%.

Oh How I wish I worked in the health district.
I think after my mat leave I will be deciding if we can afford for me to stay home. I do make a wide range of crafts etc that keeps me busy (if advertised) and I would love nothing more to provide the same kind of care that my mother did for me- she was a stay at home mom and very active in our lives growing up.

In this day and age, it seems impossible!

There are benefits to living in Canada, but also the US. We all have things that suck.

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My boss is being a dick about maternity leave.

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