Your maternity entitlements
Paid
maternity leave is unusual in the US although some enlightened employers may
offer it as an incentive to hang on to good employees whom they hope will
return to their jobs after they have their babies.
Most women combine unpaid
family leave with vacation, personal days, short term disability leave and sick
leave, but this often depends on what’s allowed by state law – for example,
California offers paid family leave, while other states don’t permit the use of
short term disability leave after your baby’s birth. It’s best to find out as
early as you can in your pregnancy what options will be open to you. Ask your
human resources department, and talk to colleagues who are moms about what kind
of package they were offered by your employer.
•
The Family and Medical Leave Act
entitles some workers to up to 12 weeks’ unpaid leave in any one year and can
be used around the birth of your baby. Your employer is required to keep your
job open for you with the same salary, benefits and seniority. However, it’s
only available if you work for a company that employs more than 50 staff who
have to live within 75 miles of your workplace and have been with your employer
for at least a year. Also, you employer isn’t obliged to hold your job if
you’re among the top 10 highest-paid employees and they can demonstrate that
keeping your position open would be difficult.
•
Short-term disability (STD) can be
used to cover your salary after you have your baby. It’s provided by some
employers and unions, or may be offered by your state (you may have to pay a
premium from your paycheck). Alternately you can take out your own STD coverage
through a private insurer. STD usually pays a percentage of your salary
(usually around half, with the overall amount capped) for a specified number of
weeks (usually six but possibly as many as 12).
You need to request leave at
least 30 days before you intend to take it although it will likely sit better
with your employer if you give as much advance notice as possible. It’s a good
idea to work out a plan for how your workload might be covered so you’re approaching
your boss with solutions instead of leaving them to figure out how to cover
you. If your request is denied, contact the US Department of Labor or consult a
lawyer who has experience in dealing with workers’ rights for advice
Keep in mind that it’s possible
to extend your maternity leave by using vacation time, personal days and sick
leave, but if you then decide not to return to work you may be asked to pay
back that money.
• US Department of Labor 1-877-889-5627; www.dol.gov
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 12/06/2008
Related Chat 5
Yes I called the number and they were very helpfull, however, I have come to an agreement with work to start my maternity leave in April so I don't miss out on anything. just means I'll be off work earlier. You can take it from 11 weeks before baby is due, I would of lost out on over £1k if I accepted redundancy. I'll also acru holiday pay while off over my Maternity so I'll get that paid when I hand in my notice.
Your work have to offer you another job over any of your colleagues (as long as there is another job there for you to do) because you are pregnant. If you don't accept that job and take redundancy you wont have a leg to stand on. My advice is take anything, go on Maternity early and find another job when you return to work.
I need to decide what I want to do when I return to work now, its like being a teenager again.
Good Luck xxx
Hi there i was just wondering if you called this number as i am 19 weeks pregnant and due to start maternity leave in June my company has also announced major redundancies and im also worried what mught happen to my maternity leave.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Kelly.
Hi, this phone no might be helpful.
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the Acas helpline on 08457 47 47 47 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
Thank you. I will call them and check my rights. All of a sudden I feel insecure and I am in a state of panic. Although it gives me the opportunity to look into starting up my own "work from home business" which has always been a passion of mine. Meaning I can spend time with my children. However thats a whole new avenue to research and I wouldn't even know what to do or how to get started.
Thanks again for the number, hopefully they will put me at ease. :-)
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