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Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

I'm totally overwhelmed trying to plan my maternity leave. What exactly do I need to do?

Re: I'm totally overwhelmed trying to plan my maternity leave. What exactly do I need to do?

The Bump Expert

First, relax. You're not the first working woman to have a baby, and it's definitely not as complicated as it seems. Second, use this guide to put together a plan.

[ ] Know your rights
Read up on your company’s policies regarding pregnancy rights and maternity leave, as well as your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

[ ] Ask an expert
If possible, confer with a (trustworthy) colleague who’s been in the same situation. Ask about how her news was received, how was she treated during her pregnancy and any other info that may be helpful to you.

[ ] Devise a plan
Determine how much time you want to take off, approximately when you want your leave to start, how accessible you plan to be once you’re out, how much you plan to work during your first weeks back on the job, whether you plan on working a part-time or flexible schedule or telecommute, and who will handle your responsibilities in your absence.

[ ] Set up a meeting
Don’t break your big news as you pass your boss in the hall. Instead, make an appointment to sit down together so you’ll have plenty of time and privacy to discuss the situation and your plans. Then, formalize the arrangements you agree upon in writing (and send a copy to your human resources department) so there are no misunderstandings later on.

[ ] Be ready for surprises
Even if you think you’ve got everything planned perfectly, stuff happens. Baby could come early or late, or you could have unexpected complications. Keep this in mind as you consider when your leave will start and end.

[ ] Train your replacement
Don’t assume anyone can do your job as well as you can. Make sure to go over how to handle your clients, reports, subordinates, and any other responsibilities. Leave detailed step-by-step instructions as well as your contact info.

[ ] Set boundaries
If you don’t want to be completely out of the loop while you’re on leave, request a daily or weekly email that outlines what’s happening at work. But if you want to be contacted only in case of emergency, say so (nicely).

The Bump Editors | May 01 , 2009 1:54 PM

re: Q: Maternity Leave Logistics?

I'm thinking on not coming back, but I'm not sure how should I handle this?

degg | April 10 , 2007 5:41 PM

re: Q: Maternity Leave Logistics?

I am in the same boat...I am not planning on coming back but don't know when I should tell my boss......

LaGambagGIRL | May 04 , 2008 7:28 AM

re: Q: Maternity leave logistics?

I'm planning on sticking around for 3 months and then leaving. I've been asking for a promotion for nearly 1 year and have been left hanging. Now, I realize that it's not worth it and going back to school. That's how I'm telling my boss.

tqsbride | May 21 , 2008 11:25 PM

re: Q: Maternity leave logistics?

I talked to our HR dept last week and he said if I am planning on not coming back to not say anything to him because he'll have to notify the insurance company. I've also read that if you take paid short term disability you have to return to work for at least 30 days or you could be penalized for the time you took short term and have to pay all or some of it back.

youngmomma | October 28 , 2008 2:45 PM

re: Q: Maternity leave logistics?

I have recently learned that I do not qualify for FMLA and so my entire maternity will be unpaid. My company (school district) also does not offer short term disability. Finally, any time that I take unpaid is going to effect my seniority making me very susceptible for lay off at the end of the school year...ahhh

radebczak | December 03 , 2008 5:23 PM

re: Q: Maternity leave logistics?

I am quitting, too. I plan to quit July 31 (due date is Aug 22). I think I'm going to tell my boss this Tuesday... I know it's a lot of heads up time, but I want them to find someone that I can train for them before I go...

ShinyHappyMe | June 06 , 2009 12:47 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

When i had my first son I asked for 3 months maternity leave and since they didn't want to give it to me I decided to leave. So they changed my positions and made me a head trainer before I left. I trained all the new people and wrote a manual in my last 2 months. All ended very well. I returned to the work force at new career that I love. I am having my second child and this time am planning on coming back to work. I even offered to work from home a little. To help the relief from my absenence.

butterfly_angel23 | September 29 , 2009 2:18 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

My EDD is August 7th. My work knows I'm pregnant, but I'll probalby turn in a formal maternity-leave request this week. I'm hoping I can take 3 months off, although part of that will be unpaid maternity leave. I plan to go back to work after the baby & continue working there at least to December. By the grace of God, my husband will find work way before then & I'll find a more flexible job closer to home. Good luck to everyone!

alecktra | January 31 , 2010 12:15 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

a word of warning.... my friend told her job that she didnt plan to come back after her baby was born, and because of that comment they denied her unemployment claim after her maternity leave was up. i work for an accountant and baby is due in november so i'll have to come back for the few months of tax season but i'm not sure if i'll stay on after that. we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

grover1024 | May 20 , 2010 5:04 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

Don't people know that you can't claim unemployment if you quit. You have to be fired to claim unemployment. after our honeymoon i decided to quit my job but i had to go back for a couple day inorder to get my vacation time. if your friend told them she was not going to come back after her leave, she was not fired, she quit and you cannot receive unemployment.

our1stbabynov | May 31 , 2010 4:22 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

I'm getting 14 weeks maternity leave.I plan on returning to work after my maternity leave is up. Just need to decide how to split the weeks (before and after birth).

Reeqeh | November 16 , 2010 3:04 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

I am taking a year of paid maternity leave. I have not yet decided if i am returning to work or not after my leave. It will depend alot on what position I am returned to when I return to work.

Allisondavina | December 03 , 2010 11:50 AM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

As of right now, I plan on taking 12 weeks after the baby is born. With my job, it will still be here when I get back and I dont have to start counting the weeks until after the baby is born. I just work until I go into labor and then it starts the next day. However, its only 60% of my pay for 8 weeks and then 4 weeks unpaid. We are still debating whether or not its worth me coming back to work.

smshybug | December 27 , 2010 12:38 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

I plan on coming back to work after maternity leave but I was going to take 10 weeks off and my company would pay me. But we just found out that our company was sold and the new maternity leave is not good at all. I have stayed wth this company for 7 years so that I could have paid leave but now I have to use six or vacation for 10 days then I would get paid for 4 weeks of Maternity leave. So know I am looking at only being able to have 6 weeks off with pay not 10weeks. I am stressing of this. This is my first baby and I want to be with the babay as much as I can at first!

melhubbell83 | January 27 , 2011 11:02 AM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

i love living in canada. the maternaty leave in the states sounds horrible. we get 6 months maternity leave paid at 55% (i believe thats the percent) of your wage before you left. as well there is 6 moths parental leave (also paid at 55%) that either the mother or the father can take. so i will be taking the full year paid 55% of my wage as my boyfriend makes much more money than i do.

gerixoxo | March 25 , 2011 9:08 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

I am having a similar problem, I work for a small special ed private preschool and we do not qualify for FMLA as well as I get 5 sick days a year which will be used before baby is due. We don't have short term disability, so for now I am trying to save to make up for the 6 weeks I will be out of work but really wish I could do 12 weeks after the baby. I also have to submit 6 + weeks of lesson plans atleast a month before my due date with al the materials completed. It is getting to be very stressfull and although I am trying to figure out if there is another way instead of going back to my job, I will lose out on the education aspects of it working towards my BCBA right now. I also get my new contract in Sept so I am not sure how or what my pay will be for next year and I am due in Jan. I have gone as far as trying to see about setting up short term disability with aflac but they dont count the 6 weeks after labor, almost wishing we stayed in NY instead of moving to TX.

ambalzer | July 09 , 2011 2:15 PM

Q&A: Planning my maternity leave?

I'll be in school fulltime working on my Phd, I will have about a month give or take. The baby is due right after the fall semester finals end and the winter/Christmas break is just short of a month. I have to go back on time because I still have class in the spring. In terms of getting paid through my research, I am allowed two weeks off paid, and will probably work from home the rest of the time. Not ideal, but then again, life isn't usually.

andreakirchoff | August 04 , 2011 12:52 PM

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