Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alfie on April 5, 2011 at 11:26pm

Know your rights with state and federal law.  Find out creative ways you can maximize your leave time with your baby.  CA has so many programs for mothers that allows for extended leaves.  (I'm a HR consultant in CA).  I wish I would have stayed out longer than 5 months with my baby.  I had enough time under a CA state program to protect my job for another month.    I'm interested in seeing other comments. 

Permalink Reply by Portia Mount on April 6, 2011 at 12:01am

Alfie, this is really great advice. I think most women (I was one of them) think we are locked into three months of leave. I wish I had known someone like you with an HR background to ask the right questions. I only stayed out for three months and it was definitely not enough time.

Permalink Reply by Ava on April 6, 2011 at 12:16am

I'm leaving for maternity leave in 3 weeks (working to the due date- Yikes). I'm a CA resident and plan to take 14weeks off. I'm excited to see other comments.

Permalink Reply by Portia Mount on April 6, 2011 at 3:42pm

Ava, good luck with your new bundle of joy! I worked right up to my due date as too. I hope some others will post to give you a few more ideas.

Permalink Reply by Corina McCoy on April 14, 2011 at 4:23pm

This is a very useful answer Alfie, women definitely need to be more aware of their maternity leave options.

Alfie said:

Know your rights with state and federal law.  Find out creative ways you can maximize your leave time with your baby.  CA has so many programs for mothers that allows for extended leaves.  (I'm a HR consultant in CA).  I wish I would have stayed out longer than 5 months with my baby.  I had enough time under a CA state program to protect my job for another month.    I'm interested in seeing other comments. 

Permalink Reply by Khareen on June 18, 2011 at 12:45am

Thread is kind of dated, but here are a couple things that may help a future reader: in the Federal government, you can mix paid leave and leave without pay (LWOP) so that you can continue to accrue leave while out. Also, many employees transition back by teleworking part-time for several weeks before returning to work full-time. Talk to HR before talking to your supervisor. Many supervisors don't know the flexibilities or won't talk about them unless asked.

I work in HR for a Federal agency and I'll be able to answer more specific questions. :)

Khareen
www.notexpectingtoomuch.wordpress.com

Permalink Reply by Portia Mount on June 22, 2011 at 11:36pm

Khareen, very good advice. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. We forgot there are so many options to explore. 

Khareen said:

Thread is kind of dated, but here are a couple things that may help a future reader: in the Federal government, you can mix paid leave and leave without pay (LWOP) so that you can continue to accrue leave while out. Also, many employees transition back by teleworking part-time for several weeks before returning to work full-time. Talk to HR before talking to your supervisor. Many supervisors don't know the flexibilities or won't talk about them unless asked.

I work in HR for a Federal agency and I'll be able to answer more specific questions. :)

Khareen
www.notexpectingtoomuch.wordpress.com