Motherhood: Mapping Out Maternity Leave

Mapping Out Maternity Leave

by Mary Jane Bogle

Discovering you’re expecting a new addition to the family, whether through birth or adoption, is an exciting moment for moms-to-be. But with that excitement comes a wide range of questions, and not just about when your baby will sleep through the night or start teething.

What can I expect from my employer during these next few months? Will I still have my job? Benefits? I want to take time off to enjoy my new baby, but can I afford it? • KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. In 1993, Congress passed the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Basically, this federal law states that your employer can’t fire you for taking time off after the baby comes.

To be eligible, you need to work for a company with 50+ employees within 75 miles of the workplace. You also need to have worked for this employer for 12 months, or 1,250 hours of service, during the previous 12-month period. Also note that FMLA guarantees unpaid leave, so unless you make other arrangements, you won’t be getting a paycheck during your time off.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that if you don’t meet these guidelines, you are going to lose your job when the baby comes. Your employer might still hold your job and benefits package, but the company isn’t required by law to do so.

Another federal law moms-to-be need to know is the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which protects pregnant women from discrimination and harassment at work. Note that the employer must have at least 15 employees for this law to apply. • UNDERSTAND YOUR BENEFITS PACKAGE. If your employer offers paid time off, which could include PTO, vacation time, sick time or personal time, the company will likely require you to take the paid time off concurrently with the Family Medical Leave request.

Some companies also offer paid, short-term disability plans, which allow you to stay home and still get paid, or partially paid, during your recovery. These plans vary widely, so it’s best to check with your specific company to understand the details, including whether or not you need to pay a premium for this plan and how long you need to hold the policy before the benefits apply.

You also need to take some time to understand your insurance benefits. Who has the better insurance plan, you or your spouse?

You’ll want to know how and when to add the new baby to the plan. • PLAN AHEAD. No matter what your company offers, you’ll want to save ahead to cover all those new expenses your little one will bring. Try to finish large projects before you leave, if possible, and delegate your responsibilities, leaving a clear plan for decision making while you’re gone. Then get ready to bond with that new bundle of joy! a