Forbes Leadership Careers Maternity Leave And How To Protect Your
Job Jennifer Magley Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I specialize in identifying top talent and negotiating contracts. Following May 23, 2023, 08:15am EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Share to
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Twitter Share to Linkedin Employers perceive longer leaves as a sign of reduced commitment to work. What steps can you take to ... [+] ensure job security while on maternity leave? getty Welcoming a new child into your home is exciting, but organizing maternity leave can sometimes dampen the mood. For some, eight weeks may be sufficient for adjusting to the significant changes of motherhood. While others may wish they had access to Finland's family leave policy , which allows for 164 days of leave per parent and 328 days for single or independent parents. (I only took five weeks and regret it.) Extended maternity leave can be further complicated as it may jeopardize your current or potential employment opportunities. According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review , employers perceive longer leaves as a sign of reduced commitment to work. Additionally, new mothers who take longer breaks from paid work are less likely to receive promotions or pay raises and face a higher risk of demotion or termination. What steps can you take to insure job security while taking maternity leave? 1. Ask For Support Parental leave policies that only cater to birthing parents are flawed and can lead to isolation. In a Forbes article, Dr. Suzanne Bovone, an OBGYN at Obstetrics and Gynecology of San Jose, pointed out that "offering maternity leave to only one parent puts the responsibility of childcare solely on that individual." Before deciding how much time to take off from work, seek assistance with caregiving instead of taking on the entire responsibility yourself. Additionally, if you feel comfortable, ask for support from your employer if there is no leave policy in place for non-birthing parents. "Only providing paid leave to a birthing parent doesn't consider families that are made whole by adoption, surrogacy or the placement of a child" said Bovone. Although your employer may not have a policy, they could find a way to support your new family member creatively if asked. MORE FOR YOU
WWE Raw Results: Winners And Grades On May 22, 2023 McCarthy And Biden Hold ‘Productive’ Debt Ceiling Talks—But Still No Deal As Default Looms 2023 NBA Draft: Exploring Oklahoma City Thunder’s Draft Prospect Possibilities 2. Determine The Length Of Your Maternity Leave Since there is no minimum maternity leave in the U.S., workers are left weighing the more nuanced backlash possibilities. Eight weeks is the social standard, but it's not a number most agree on. "No, as a mother and attorney, eight weeks is not enough time for maternity leave." Wrote Amber Boyd Moorman of Amber Boyd Law in an email. "If an employee is eligible for FMLA and they work for a covered employer, then they can request FMLA and are eligible for 12 weeks." It's still not Finland's seven months, but it is one month closer. A word of caution from Boyd once you receive the additional time, remember the leave applies to your total number of days regardless of when your child arrives. In other words with so few days off from paid work, "You don't want to begin your maternity leave too early before because then you will have less time with your child," Boyd wrote. 3. Document, Document, Document Suppose you face discrimination related to maternity leave. In that case, Boyd advises "to contact your H.R. department, maintain a detailed record and consult an attorney." It is important to note that employers cannot lawfully discriminate against you due to pregnancy; it is the first law of The Civil Rights Act of 1964. Keeping a record of conversations, emails, and requests to communicate your experience if needed is essential. Documentation is a necessary action as only
California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island require paid family leave , which means employees must protect themselves and secure time off through the necessary channels. Taking steps to safeguard our jobs before going on maternity leave will provide us with more peaceful moments with our new addition before returning to work. Follow me on LinkedIn . Check out my website . Jennifer Magley Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions