Maternity Leave - Chicago,IL

E.,

Here's the basics...

- maternity leave is officially defined as short-term disability, due to the birth of a child. Therefore this is a medical leave of absence.

- your maternity leave wills start when your physician says you are medically unable to work - that may be before you deliver due to medical complications or upon delivery. There is usually a short-term disability form your physician willl need to complete on your behalf. This can be done based on your due date so that your paperwork is already on file with your employer/disability company - check with HR

- the medical leave is usually 6 weeks for vaginal, 8 weeks for c-section. Keep in mind, this is usually all or partially paid leave of absence. If you begin BEFORE you deliver, you may use up the "paid" portion and continue on unpaid medical leave after your delivery.

- the 12 weeks people are referring to is called FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). FMLA applies to employees of mid to large sized companies and allows UP TO 12 weeks of unpaid leave (for both men and women) due to the birth or adoption of a child. This is a federal act - you can check out FMLA online and see if you qualify or HR should be able to tell you.

- Your employer will tell you IN WRITING the date the leave starts. They cannot post date it. This tells you that you that your level within the company and a similar job will be guaranteed open once you return from your leave. IT DOES NOT necessarily mean your SAME job. Most often, you get the same job back, but that is not guaranteed.

- Usually, if you are eligible for FMLA, it will run concurrently with the date your medical leave starts. So, for example, you deliver vaginally...from the date of the baby's birth you get six weeks paid maternity leave (medical) and your FMLA starts. After your maternity leave is over, you can continue on unpaid leave for six more weeks (under the FMLA).

- Finally, since most people probably don't know this, FMLA does NOT have to be taken all at once. You may take the 6 weeks maternity/FMLA, then return to work. Then later in the year, working with HR and your boss, you are allowed to take the remaining 6 weeks (for example, if you needed to complete a work project or it was "busy season" and you needed to get back to work or if you child had a medical issue). This has to be pre-approved and paperwork completed - you can't just NOT show up to work and say, "Oh, I was taking more FMLA time." Just remember, this will be unpaid.

I hope you find this information helpful. Please make sure you talk with your HR person or office manager.

Sara

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2 moms found this helpful

Check with your HR department. Not every company is covered by FMLA regulations. I *think* the rule is 50 employees within a 50-mile radius.

I was in the office the day I went into labor with my second son. I took 7 full weeks at home after the birthand staggerd two weeks where I was part time and they were in daycare.

Unless there are medical risks (obviously), I'd work as long as possible and then you have more time when the baby comes.

It all depends on your job. FMLA gives you 12 weeks, which starts when you take off. However, most jobs that provide maternity leave give you 6 weeks after birth or 8 weeks after a c-section. I would look into this with your job and find out what the rules are and how they pay-if they do. Some places do pay and others just let you take time unpaid. It also depends on what the doctor says.

I would wait until the baby is born. If you only get six weeks and you take time before the baby is born you miss that time with the baby and to recover. If you start on your due date (as many people do) and your baby is two weeks late then you end up with only 4 weeks leave.

I'm planning on working until the very last minute!

I waited until after I had my baby. I wanted to spend the full 12 weeks with the baby so I worked right until the very end. Good Luck!
Jenny

It depends on the company. Most offer 6-8 weeks. Companies with 15 or more employees have to offer 12 weeks under FMLA.
When you start is up to you. It's better to last for as long as you can so you have more time with your baby. I worked till 2 days before I had the baby. It's better for you too, since you're busy at work you dont' have time to sit around and be bored and think about when the baby will finally come out...