Question about maternity leave

katiekitten

Is it true that in America there is no paid maternity leave?

If so surely that means most people have to return to work pretty quick after they have had a baby? If thats true, then surely that means its not possible to breast feed your baby exclusively for any time at all?

Can anyone confirm if my thinking is right or not. Because if it is true, I find it a horrifying prospect that a whole nation of babies cant be breastfed because of the policies of companies. Thats just awful! Wicked and cynical that the natural needs of babies are denied due to corporate fiscal policy.

I have 7 paid months off work (not full pay, but even at its lowest, I get Statutary Maternity Pay (SMP) at a rate of £104 a week). This means that I can breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and give my baby the absolute best start in life.

mrsjones5

Depends on the company you work for and the state you live in. When I was working (for Levi's) I had 2 of my children, I was able to take 6 weeks maternity leave before my due dates and 6 weeks after the children were born. My company paid me 66% of my salary and the state (California) paid the other 33% under disability/maternity leave. It's not like that with every company or state and you're lucky to get it if you can.

Josie

P.S. I breastfed all of my babies. With my first 2 I expressed milk at work. It was hard to it at work because my job didn't have any private rooms for me to do this and I refused to do it in the restroom, so I used a quiet room which didn't have a door lock. Got interupted a lot by the sewing ladies asking what I was doing, had to put a sign on the door which got the attention of HR and by the time I had my second child 3 years later my job had rooms only for expressing milk. It was very cool.

hillbilly

we did get something called FMLA a few years back... it's a Federal law that states you can take off for family matters and you wont get fired for it if you fill out the forms and meet the regulations for using the leave time. Getting paid... only if you work for a good employer or have a really good Union contract. FMLA doesnt pay you to be out.

It sorta sucks ..but we arent socialists here. (Not a slam, just the way it is)

~Hill

RR

When my son was born, my wife took off of work for six months, one month prior to the delivery, and she got paid. When she was ready to go back to work, I took off (FMLA) for the 3 months allowed, but didn't get paid for it, and I work for the federal government!

Mary

When I was working (for Levi's) I had 2 of my children, I was able to take 6 weeks maternity leave before my due dates and 6 weeks after the children were born. My company paid me 66% of my salary and the state (California) paid the other 33% under disability/maternity leave. It's not like that with every company or state and you're lucky to get it if you can.

That's it? Good lord----here in Canada you can take up to a year off for Mat Leave. Where I work, you get I think 80% of your pay and then Employment Insurance tops it up so you get 100% of your pay. I can't believe the States doesn't have something like this in place!

hillbilly

When I was working (for Levi's) I had 2 of my children, I was able to take 6 weeks maternity leave before my due dates and 6 weeks after the children were born. My company paid me 66% of my salary and the state (California) paid the other 33% under disability/maternity leave. It's not like that with every company or state and you're lucky to get it if you can.

The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia.... like I said "most" of us arent socialist.

Up in Canada what is the overall tax rate again?

I was raised in the US to make choices. If i work for an employer who sucks I find a better one. If I need a Union I vote one in. If I want to start a family I save my money and plan. if the work leaves my community I move to the work.

Before everyone goes off on this .... I have to say it's worked for millions for Americans and other nations that have democaratic, libertarian or republic based politics.

~Hill

sammielee24

Before everyone goes off on this .... I have to say it's worked for millions for Americans and other nations that have democaratic, libertarian or republic based politics.
~Hill

Not.

Mary

Up in Canada what is the overall tax rate again?

It varies from Province to Province, but here in Ontario, it's at 14%.......Yep, we pay high taxes, but I'd rather pay the taxes and have a more generous social system.

I was raised in the US to make choices. If i work for an employer who sucks I find a better one. If I need a Union I vote one in. If I want to start a family I save my money and plan. if the work leaves my community I move to the work.

Um, we basically do the same thing up here.

Before everyone goes off on this .... I have to say it's worked for millions for Americans and other nations that have democaratic, libertarian or republic based politics.

Doesn't mean it couldn't be improved upon. If the US government can spend a trillion dollars on a futile war, surely they can find the money to help improve their social system.

VanillaMocha73

If you work for a company with over 100 employees and you have been on the job for over a year, you could get up to 6 weeks off without being fired. Whether it is paid or not - not usually. Otherwise, just save up paid vacation time and don't leave work until you are on your way to the hospital in labor. My friend worked out a deal (because she was new in small company) where she saved up her 2 weeks vacation and then got to work from home for another few weeks and then go back part time. Breastfeeding? I don't think they really care about that here..... (Employers that is.) Work choices? Unions? I still think they leave a lot to be desired.

hillbilly

Doesn't mean it couldn't be improved upon. If the US government can spend a trillion dollars on a futile war, surely they can find the money to help improve their social system.

yep...for what we pay in taxes that get spent overseas on futile wars, and being the self appointed hall monitor of the world we could beat hunger, educate all the kids and have a bag-o-chips for everyone.

I'd like to see the US become a bit more isolationist but the world trade economy just wont let that happen.

Sammilee... I have worked for at least 30 different companies, been an Union member and moved to the work 4 times. Owned my home the whole time and put the kids through college.

I come from a pretty humble family tree... not a "fortunate son" in the bunch, The JW thing is the most radical departure any of my family has ventured into socially speaking.

All that plus I am the minority... a middle aged white man. Get over it dude.

Hill

~Hill

Question about maternity leave

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