curious about American maternity leave..

[nl92]

A bit strange but I'm just curious. I read somewhere that in the US you only get 12 weeks maternity. Is this true? I'm in the UK. We get 39 weeks (obv not fully paid) but I thought that was a crazy difference..

[nl92]

Wow that is really different to here. Canada seems good too lol so much respect for you all!!

[cmt92010]

The 6wk short term leave for vaginal birth gives me 60% of my pay for my time off with baby.

[cmt92010]

I get 6 weeks of short term leave thriugh work, but through the family medical leave act we can get 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

[ccooke001]

I will get 6 weeks unpaid. I do not qualify for FMLA and my husband doesn't get any time off unless he uses his vacation time or he files for FMLA in which case he could take up to 12 weeks unpaid. We can't afford it so he will take his vacation time and I'll probably go back to work before my 6 weeks is up.

[EverythingN1]

I just spent 4 months doing research on the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the sad part is that approximately 40% of the entire U.S. labor force is not even qualified for FMLA. So imagine the women who have to quit their jobs and/or work up until their due date just to make ends meet. It is terrible that reform still has not happened with the law and it has been 22 years.

[Meghans85]

Wow! In Canada we get a full year!

[nl92]

That is so crazy! I had 6 weeks of full paid holidays built up and also the 39 weeks... fascinates me how everywhere is different

[niki137]

The US has the shortest time for maternity leave.  I get up to 8 weeks paid, since I had a c-section and up to 12 weeks off total.  However, I only have 15.5 days of sick pay. I am taking the cup 12 weeks off, but will only be paid for about 3.

[babyboy419]

12 weeks is family medical leave act. Which I don't have being in the US bc my got used during pregnancy because I was on bedrest. Once my son is born I get 6 weeks vaginal delivery or 8 if its a c section.

[1sttimeparent]

6 weeks with some pay for natural birth and 8 weeks for csection
and then 12 weeks of bonding leave which is unpaid

[nl92]

Wow that is crazy! The laws changed here on April 5th so that the 39 weeks can be shared if wanted but typically the female gets 39 weeks and the father gets 2 weeks with a statutory maternity rate of pay! If after the 39 weeks we don't feel up to going back we can take a further 13 weeks unpaid!

[ellivin]

Yea 12 weeks mostly likely unpaid and If you and your partner work for the same company it's only 12 weeks between the two of you..I worked 2 jobs to save for my maternity leave so I could take the full 12.