Mobile Menu

  • Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Home Jobs by MOM

Insights. Ideas. Improvements.

  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Business Ideas
    • Online Tools for Bloggers
  • Improving Family Life
  • Contact
  • Search

Understanding Your Rights at Work When You’re About to Give Birth

You are here: Home / Family / Pregnancy Tips / Understanding Your Rights at Work When You’re About to Give Birth

November 21, 2012 //  by Guest Poster//  3 Comments




Tweet
Pin10
Share6

This article contains affiliate links which means we receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Visit our disclosure page for more information.

maternity leave
Image by Scott Woods-Fehr on Flickr

Given today’s uncertain economy, many of us are forced to work longer hours to provide for our most basic needs, and prove that we are an essential part of the company. But what happens when we get pregnant? The joy of starting a family can often conflict with the desire to give everything to our career. There is no easy answer to this question, but the first step in finding that mythical “balance” involves learning your company’s maternity leave policies.

As maternity leave will vary per company, it is important to air out all your concerns and questions with your company’s human resource head several months before the due date. To make sure you are getting the right information, we have summed up a few of the most important Q and A’s concerning FMLA.

1. What is in store for me when I take my maternity leave?

Also known as family or parental leave, maternity leave is the amount of time given to a mother after giving birth or adopting a child. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, employees covered by the FMLA are assured of job protection during the entire time that they are on leave. It typically allows for a 12 week unpaid period, although there are some generous companies who offer up to 6 of those weeks with full pay. More often than not, employees turn to short term disability, vacation, and sick leave days to receive some sort of money when working for companies that do not carry a provision for paid family leaves.

2. What is short term disability and how does it work?

Short term disability, or STD, provides financial assistance whenever you are unable to work. Under this program, employees who are ill, injured, or have recently given birth are given a portion of their salary to support themselves during these times. It is important to understand that payments are usually a percentage of your normal pay and can vary based on the reason for non-work.

Unfortunately, not all states provide for short term disability. Many large companies offer this as an added benefit to their employees, but you can always turn to private STD insurance if that is not the case at your office. Make sure to plan well ahead of the pregnancy as policies can take time to vest.

3. What if my short-term disability coverage runs out?

Generally, STD allows for 6 weeks paid maternity leave. At this time, you are given the choice to continue with your remaining unpaid maternity leave, or you can opt to go back to work.

4. How do I know if I’m entitled to paid maternity leave?

As HR policies vary per company, it is best to talk to your human resources supervisor to find out if you are allocated paid leave.

As per federal laws, women seeking FMLA leave are given a period of 12 weeks of off-work time to care for their newborn or adopted child. During this time, your position will be protected under the FMLA program, which means that you can easily go back to your previous job as long as it is within that 12 week period.

I have some friends who used their entire twelve weeks, and others who went back to work in as little as 10 days. It is a personal decision that should be carefully considered, and the first step is getting the facts about your company’s policy.

The guest post was written by Brenda. She is a freelance writer for duedatecalculator.org, which offers a free menstrual cycle calendar, as well as a fun (though less scientific) Chinese pregnancy prediction calendar.

Disclosure

Tweet
Pin10
Share6



Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

6 Simple Ways to Save Money When Expecting a Baby

Preparing for Childbirth (Labor and Delivery)

simplest baby book in the world

Raising a Healthy, Happy Baby and Getting Control of Your Life #simplestbaby

What-to-Look-for-in-a-Diaper-Bag

What to Look for in a Diaper Bag @TheKalencomCorp

5-Side-Effects-Common-to-Plan-B-Emergency-Contraception

5 Plan B Side Effects That Are Extremely Common

What To Expect During Your First Trimester of Pregnancy

What To Expect During Your First Trimester of Pregnancy

A Basic Intro to Prenatal Testing for Expecting Mothers

A Basic Intro to Prenatal Testing for Expecting Mothers

Why-is-Physical-Activity-Important-During-Pregnancy_

Why is Physical Activity Important During Pregnancy?

9 Baby Products to Put on your Registry

9 Baby Gear and Products to Put on your Registry

5 Types of Assisted Delivery Procedures in Childbirth

best time to get pregnant in medical school

How to be Money Smart When Expecting a Baby

How to Look After Yourself as a Working Mom

Top Tips To Running A Profitable Business While Pregnant

Previous Post: « What is a Leapforce Search Engine Evaluator
Next Post: What You Should Buy This Black Friday and Cyber Monday »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan Cooper

    November 26, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    Having a baby is a wonderful time of a woman’s life. Juggling the pregnancy and career can be a challenge. It is important for a woman to know what her rights are. Awesome post. 🙂

    Reply
    • Krystle

      December 3, 2012 at 6:19 pm

      I feel for those that have to juggle pregnancy and a job. It can be tough at times but at least theres a good ending.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Get a look into a mom's inkling into this crazy thing called life.
Read More…

Recent Posts

5 Reasons You Need Cloud Faxing for Your Business

5 Reasons You Need Cloud Faxing for Your Business

5 Threats You Should Talk About with Your Family

5 Threats You Should Talk About with Your Family

3 Thoughtful Gifts for Someone Graduating Culinary School

3 Thoughtful Gifts for Someone Graduating Culinary School

Real Estate Worries: FAQs About Buying a New Home

Real Estate Worries: FAQs About Buying a New Home

Moving in Montreal? Tips for Choosing a Moving Company

Moving in Montreal? Tips for Choosing a Moving Company

How to Create a Strong Professional Translator Resume: Tips and Tricks

How to Create a Strong Professional Translator Resume: Tips and Tricks

5 Health and Wellness Tips for Super Busy Moms

5 Health and Wellness Tips for Super Busy Moms

Spotting and Fixing a Short Circuit in Your Home

Spotting and Fixing a Short Circuit in Your Home

Road Trip Tips: Save Money When Renting a Car

Road Trip Tips: Save Money When Renting a Car

Social Media Addiction Facts: The Reality of Social Media and Family Life

Social Media Addiction Facts: The Reality of Social Media and Family Life

Giveaways

@GoSiliProducts Summer Gear Giveaway (Ends 7/31) @FreeDealSteals

@GoSiliProducts Summer Gear Giveaway (Ends 7/31) @FreeDealSteals

LumiCharge Premium Desk Lamp (Ends 7/31) @DeliciouslySavv

LumiCharge Premium Desk Lamp (Ends 7/31) @DeliciouslySavv

The Smurfs DVD Giveaway (Ends 6/20) @s8r8l33

The Smurfs DVD Giveaway (Ends 6/20) @s8r8l33

Paw Patrol Rescue Knights DVD Giveaway (Ends 7/6) @DeliciouslySavv

Paw Patrol Rescue Knights DVD Giveaway (Ends 7/6) @DeliciouslySavv

@EldasKitchen Cooking Sauces Giveaway (Ends 7/15)

@EldasKitchen Cooking Sauces Giveaway (Ends 7/15)

EPCOT Cookbook Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @SilvieArmas

EPCOT Cookbook Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @SilvieArmas

@OzoneSocks $50 Gift Card Giveaway (Ends 7/6) @goosegiveaways

@OzoneSocks $50 Gift Card Giveaway (Ends 7/6) @goosegiveaways

Angry Me Book Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @SilvieArmas

Angry Me Book Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @SilvieArmas

@DelilahHome Beach Towel Giveaway (Ends 7/6) @DeliciouslySavv

@DelilahHome Beach Towel Giveaway (Ends 7/6) @DeliciouslySavv

@iLLASPARKZ Rainbow Bangles Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @Versatileer

@iLLASPARKZ Rainbow Bangles Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @Versatileer

            Enter more giveaways here!

Free Download

Productivity-Planner-Preview

“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

Download the FREE Colorable Productivity Planner to get your life more organized. Sign up as a newsletter insider today!

Be A Better You

This website uses affiliate links which means we receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Visit our disclosure page for more information.

  • About Home Jobs By Mom
  • Terms & Privacy
  • Contact

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 Home Jobs by MOM · All Rights Reserved