Maternity leave frustrations!

[sweetpeamom25]

I wasn’t sure where to put this, but it’s bugging me so I figured this was the appropriate spot! I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share what their company offers for maternity leave? I work for a small company and with child number one I was given 2 weeks paid, that’s it. We are thinking about having another one, but the fact that almost all my leave would be unpaid is a huge factor. First time around we were able to save up for my unpaid time (I took a full 12 weeks); this time around it’s proving to be a lot harder. I feel like I’ll regret it if we don’t have another one because of the difficulty of an unpaid leave. But I also feel like I’ll regret it if we get ourselves into a financial bind. I’m so torn. I’m mad at the company I work for because they don’t treat employees well, on this topic and others. I know that no job is perfect, but it’s still frustrating. What did you receive for your leave? Any suggestions on how to make an unpaid leave more manageable?? Anyone been in this situation? Thanks!

[laurac]

I don't think you should let your job dictate your family. You won't always have this job, but you'll always have your family.

[lilmermaid]

I agree with LC!
My DH was able to be home the whole first month of each of our DD's lives. He was able to save up enough time to take off and still get paid.
I have heard of other companies offering paternity leave too though!

[apryllraye87]

When I had DS I worked for a small company and I also only had 2 weeks paid (Due to the PTO I had saved up). I took 8 weeks off and we were able to save ahead.

I am now with a large corporate company and they offer short-term disability (which covers maternity leave) so I would get up to 80% of my wages for up to 12 weeks, if I were to have another child.

[dara1012]

I didn't get any paid maternity leave when I had DS. I was able to save up 12 weeks of PTO (I had been w/ my company for almost a decade and we can roll over unpaid PTO up to 12 weeks at the end of the year).

[onlyoneboy]

I work for the University and I got 2 weeks paid and could then use any PTO time I have saved. I also have short term disability that covered it since I had a c-section.

[smalltowngirl5]

I didn't get any paid maternity leave when I either of my kids. I could use my PTO if I wanted. I chose to take all 12 weeks unpaid. We just tried really hard to save ahead of time.

[deannemdm]

I did not have any paid time off with DD (I might have had a little vacation time-- but had only been there for 3 months (I took 10 weeks off- had c-section)
With DS I was working with another company and had been there for several years (7 or so?) and had short term disability-- 6 weeks, but I also was on modified bedrest and couldn't go to work after 33 weeks-- I had maybe 6 -8 weeks of pto that I had to use -- everything but 2 weeks for disablity to kick in.- I took a total of 12 wks but 6 were prior to DS' birth. (I went back when DS was 6-8 weeks old.

[ReneeW]

From what I remember (my youngest is almost 5) I had four weeks of paid short-term disability, and then I took two weeks of Paid Time Off to get 6 weeks, and then I took another 6 with no pay that we had saved up for. But you're totally right -- it is SO hard to try to survive without that income while you're on maternity leave ... it's a real struggle. You have my sympathy, absolutely.

[bumblebee23]

I agree with LC on this one!

When I had my oldest I was going to get 2 weeks but I don't remember if it was paid or unpaid. I remember thinking that was very long and I was worried about leaving my newborn in the hands of someone else so soon. I ended up not having to worry about it because I was having complications and had to quite my job anyway. I still was between jobs when I got pg with DS2 so I just stayed home for awhile.

[merrr]

Honestly - I have no idea what I would qualify for but I can tell you that a co-worker of mine took FMLA for three months to adopt her baby girl.

[ladyandrearose]

I got 1 week paid maternity and used 3 weeks Pto and the last six weeks were a "modified" pay plan that they "graciously " offered which brought home about 150 a week. Granted it was better than nothing but with DD being preemie and in the hospital for 41 days it was real hard.

Id check into getting g a short term disability plan. I couldn't get it cuz I was already pg.

[sharon]

Yes, short term disability plans can help with this. Neither my wife nor I got paid maternity leave specifically, but my wife is able to accumulate sick days from year to year and so could take 7 weeks off because she had the sick time saved. And 2 weeks overlapped with Winter Break (we are teachers) , so she was home 9 all together.

I took 6 weeks, some of it paid through sick days and comp time by working lots of extra hours before then, and some of it unpaid. I think in the end 4 weeks were paid and 2 weeks we not. FMLA was helpful in that I got to keep my health insurance, which otherwise I would have lost by taking unpaid time off.

I have since switched schools and I don't think we have any paid maternity leave, but if I saved vacation and sick time I would be able to take a few weeks paid.

We also staggered our time off, so that our son could be home for 11 weeks. So my wife took 9 weeks straight, and I took 2 weeks when our son was born, and then 4 more weeks at the 7 week mark. That way we have 2 more weeks home as a family before my wife went back to work, and then I was home with my son 2 more weeks when she did go back to work. It was nice in that we each got family time and well as time home alone with him, and also we liked that it separated her going back to work and needing to figure out pumping and such (she's his birthmom) from him starting daycare. Daycare was far from where she works, but near to where we live, so we were comforted that I could just bring him to her if we didn't have enough pumped milk. That didn't happen though - we had plenty. But it helped reduce our stress.

[camilla]

With my oldest I had 8 weeks paid but they failed to mention I wouldn't get paid until I returned and then it would be paid out over 6 months. Total BS if you ask me. I get them not wanting to pay and then you don't come back but then put it in the contract that if you don't return you have to pay it back.

With my second I worked for Gap. They have a short term disability that pays really well for 12 weeks and they pay your medical insurance. You do have go pay it back upon return but they let you do it in installments so you don't really notice. I could also use my 4 weeks vacation so I was actually out fully paid 4 weeks and then 85% paid 12 weeks. I <3 Gap inc