for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

1. how long can you take off for?

and

2. what is the reason behind this? (ex. you are only getting paid for 6-8 weeks, your job can't afford to let you be out for that long, etc.)

just pure curiousity - i mistakenly thought 12 weeks was common but i am guessing it isn't. TIA ladies!!!

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

While I will be home for 12 weeks, only the first 4 weeks will be work-free. During that time I'll be getting my regular pay because I've saved up vacation, sick, and personal days.

The following 8 weeks I'll be working from home 20 hours/week and getting paid half my salary.

My company doesn't pay anything for maternity leave and unfortunately, the $170 from disability just wouldn't be enough to pay the bills.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I get either 6 weeks (for vag birth) or 8 weeks (for c-section) of short-term disability. I can take up to another 6 or 4 weeks under FMLA with no pay.

I really can't go that long without a paycheck, so I'll probably go back to work after 6 or 8 weeks and work from home a couple of days a week.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

We get 6 weeks vag, 8 weeks c-section.

Not paid.

I'll have enough time saved up to use my vacation time to get paid while i'm out. And I still have to pay for my insurance while I'm out.

I'll come back right away bc I can't afford not to.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I get 12 weeks short term disability and also under FMLA. I dont plan on returning.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

i don't get any time.. we get to use our sick time.. so i'll be out till that runs out.. then i can switch to disability but like someone else mentioned 170 a week won't cover the bills..

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I get 8 weeks full pay and then I have 4 weeks of sick and vacation time saved that I will use.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I can take up to a year or two unpaid (teacher) but to get paid, I have to use up all my sick time. I only have about 8 weeks of that. I don't want to use all my sick time up for the year so I am hoping to only take 6 weeks. I can't afford to not get paid.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I can't afford to take-off unpaid leave.... right now, DH is still in school, so I'm the major $$$ earner....

I'm using up my sick days, and that's it.

Mom will be taking care of Crumb during the day.... sort of a tradition in her family.... she had her grandma take care of her while her mom worked....

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

i never really realized how many people don't get paid leave. i don't either, but i am getting a significant raise in may and i plan on saving the extra money so that i can afford to stay out as much as i need too.

lots of to you mommies who have to go back after only 6 or 8 weeks!!

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I get one month prior to my due date paid leave. Then, I get 6 weeks for VB and 8 weeks for CS- fully paid. Beyond that, I would have to use my vacation days. I will probably take another 4 weeks.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I get no paid time off ( though I will be fighting that due to realizing several other employees have been paid for time off due to medical leaves).

I will file for the state disablity and take 12 weeks off unpaid if need be because I feel I want to be home AT LEAST that amount of time.

Can we really afford that? No......but as long as we have enough in savings for 3 months of mortgage payments.....DH's salary will cover the rest.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I am sort of an exception because I do not have a full time job with any benefits. I am planning on returning to per diem work about 4-6 weeks after the baby is born. I can start by going back one or two days and my mom is watching the baby so it will be hard but not the end of the world. I wish I could just be a SAHM for a year or so.

Re: for those who aren't taking or can't take 12 weeks (or more) after baby is born

I have my own business. Its a partnership so while I'm out I'll still be collecting my half of the income, but I can't leave everything to my partner for too long. With Ella, I started going on occasional appts at 3 weeks pp, and went back to the office part time around 5-6 weeks (but I was able to bring Ella with me).

Its only the two of us, so there is no FMLA, or health benefits of any kind.

Message edited 3/13/2008 7:58:01 PM.