[GearingUpforRogers#1]

Obviously it is a way off from me, but I just wanted to go ahead and get an idea! I was wondering for anyone who may administrative jobs (such as Human Resources...which I plan to be working after I graduate with an HR degree next May) do you know what the usual maternity leave is in the U.S., and if there are any work time requirements before you qualify for it. I realize it may vary quite a bit, but I am just getting an idea! Thanks for any info!!!

[Resi]

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), entitles most workers to up to 12 weeks of job-protected medical leave for birth or adoption. However, the FMLA doesn't cover those who work for smaller companies and guarantees only unpaid leaves.

The company that I work for is smaller than 50 employees so I would not be covered under this.

[lauren in hi]

i have heard as little as 6 wks.--2 before due date & 4 after birth--i don't know if that is correct--maybe it's for small companies b'c that's what a friend of mine had.

[GearingUpforRogers#1]

That is pretty much what I expected....and I hope my employer will have more than 50 employees or there won't be much of an HR dept to speak of..... so more than likely I wll work for a company with at least 50 employees. I had totally forgotten about the FMLA.....uh oh ..... i should know this..... it is part of what i will need to know for my future profession in benefits!! hehe

[Kerysma]

I am in HR. I will get 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid. DH is in IT he gets the same for Paternity leave.

[greeneyes]

I am in HR. I will get 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid. DH is in IT he gets the same for Paternity leave.[/b]

Dang! Where do y'all work??

I had six weeks unpaid maternity leave. Needless to say, at the time I wasn't working for a very family-friendly company.

[dmkatwaroott]

I will get paid for my full 12 weeks

Is that it?? OMG you guys have it tough

I looked into it today for myself. And I'll get 10 weeks on full pay from my employer, and then I'd be entitled for statutory maternity pay for up to 39 weeks afterwards.

[Lash]

In Canada you get a year, most of the time at half your normal pay..and I hear Europe is good

6 weeks is standard time off. That doesnt mean paid, and FMLA only holds your job, but does NOT guarantee pay

How can they expect a mother to rest beforehand... give birth... get over the birth... and be a mother, with in 6 weeks!!

[Lash]

and establish a strong breastfeeding relationship, or all around schedule with their child
its incredibly hard

[Mod-Lady Valkyrie]

We do well for maternity rights over here Fiona, that's why I want to wait to ttc til they've kicked in at my new job cause I need to have worked for them for 6 months before I was pg and I think most companies are the same.

With Daniel, I was entitled to 6 weeks on 70% pay, and a further 20 weeks on statutory maternity pay, about Ł100 per week. Technically your also entitled to a further 26 weeks unpaid with job security guaranteed, unfortunately whilst I was pregnant my school had to do a compulsory redundancy, and I got selected for redundancy, on other grounds. I'll never forgive them for the stress I went through, or for having to spend most of my maternity leave with my first baby looking for a job. Still...at least what we get is worth having here.

Sounds like dads have it better over there though! Chris was only entitled to 2 weeks on full pay and a further 4 weeks unpaid if he chose.

[Alison81]

Where I work currently I get 6 weeks paid maternity leave, and still hold my job for up to 12 weeks. But I'm pretty sure I can take a leave of absence where I work and stay home as long as I feel like it, and come back when I'm ready and still have my job. I think they do that because a good majority of the women who work here will have a baby at some point, and they want employees to return because there is a such a high turn over rate where I work.