Comments on: What HR managers told us: Offering paid maternity leave

By: Merlynn Bertini

Merlynn Bertini — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:47:47 +0000

Unfortunately not all companies are employee focused and it does not have anything to do with the ability to provide benefits–there is a mind-set that if it is not required–then it is not necessary. I have worked for companies like this in the past–I once worked for an CFO who thought that is was un-excusable that companies had to provide workers’ comp insurance. He used to say, if someone is “stupid” (his words not mine) enough to get hurt–that should be their problem. He also tried to eliminate the two weeks of sick leave, because he thought that would discourage employees from going to the dr, or getting sick.

Pregnancy is considered a disability–like many other medical conditions. An argument could be made that someone who did not monitor his/her cholesterol and has a heart attack–they”choose” to have a heart attack–of course, I am not indicating this is true or I agree with this. But being competitive is not just about saving money, it is also about attracting top talent. To do this a company does need to provide more than just a salary.

By: Hmmm

Hmmm — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:24:49 +0000

I had my son one year before FMLA went into effect. I only took 2 weeks off, not only because I couldn’t afford more, BUT because I would have been fired if I took more time off. To me, the FMLA in itself is wonderful. I do think that many people feel entitled to more time off, if you work in a company that offers it…good for you. If you don’t maybe you should go searching for another job. Heck, I don’t even have sick days or am I salaried (as an HR manager) and yes, I am looking for a better position, but it isn’t easy in today’s economic climate.

By: RandiG

RandiG — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:42:27 +0000

Whatever prompted it, Ron, it needs to go away. It’s a stupid idea that will only cripple business even more. I have two children and planned and budgeted for them, never expecting my employer or the government to step in and take over my personal responsibilities. But then, I don’t expect that in other areas of my life either…

By: Ron W,

Ron W, — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:07:35 +0000

Does anyone know what prompted this paid maternity issue in the first place???

By: Lisa in California

Lisa in California — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:16:36 +0000

I work for a small, family owned business in California. If we offered paid maternity leave on top of the FMLA that’s already established then we would go out of business. My first child is special needs and I took 5 months off of work, UNPAID!! How could I expect my employer to pay me when a temp was needed to do my job. I took 6 weeks off with my second child. I received state disability which was about 60% off my normal gross pay, we budgeted the entire 9 months I was pregnant to make sure we had enough set aside to make up the difference.

Be responsible people, not every employer has the means to offer paid maternity leave. If it is offered to you consider yourself blessed, if not, then plan ahead, yes pregnancies can be unplanned, but you still have 7-9 months to prepare for the birth and set money aside to help out with expenses.

And to those that think that 6 weeks isn’t enough time to bond. Some of us don’t have a choice, I needed to go back to work, that 2nd pregnancy wasn’t planned—-it was a surprise, birth control isn’t 100% effective. I bonded just fine with my second child in that 6 weeks and then HAD to place him in daycare so I could return to work. My kids are now 10 and 14 and I wouldn’t have changed the way anything was done.

STOP relying on the government for everything, grow a pair and take responsibility for yourselves. If you don’t think you can handle unpaid maternity leave then do your best not to get pregnant.

One more thing: I was taught that you should always have at least 3 months worth of your salary in the bank in case you lose your job, are out sick for awhile or HAVE A BABY! This is what my parents taught me and that’s what I always try to do. I know it’s easier said than done, but I always try to put a little bit away after each payday. I can’t rely on a government system that may not exist in the near future.

By: Jaime

Jaime — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:06:21 +0000

I am a small business owner and a mother of twins born 2 1/2 months early due to complications. I was out for the 10 1/2 weeks until they were technically full term. I then went back to work part time for the next 8 weeks and full time after that.

My business doesn’t pay for maternity leave and, as an owner, I did not get anything from the company during this time. We do have STD to assist someone during this period, but that is a company choice as a benefit. I felt that if I wasn’t contributing to earning money for the company than I am not “entitled” to a paycheck.

I handle the HR issues for my 7 person company. If paid maternity leave was a government mandate…we would be out of business. We can’t afford to pay people for nothing.

I agree that the early months and every month of a child’s life is important for bonding and educating. However, having a family is a choice and one where sacrifices are made in all areas of your life. Not all of us can afford the luxury of being a stay at home Mom or Dad. The decision for paid maternity leave is best left to the individual companies.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:12:27 +0000

I was taught that nothing in life is free, but better to be obtained by honest, hard work, isnt the reward so much sweeter when you have earned it yourself!!

By: JEB

JEB — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:46:38 +0000

Having children is a choice. I agree with Lynn and Debbie. If you plan on children then leave, money, etc should also be in that plan. Please don’t ask me to pay for your children. Why should parents get benefits that those without children don’t? I am tried of having to do more OT, more travelling, and more work just because I don’t have children. Just because I don’t have children does not mean that I too have obligations after work.

By: Layla

Layla — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:40:10 +0000

Thank you Joyce, well said.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:39:44 +0000

Absolutely not! I do not have children, we chose not to. I have dogs instead. Can I have 12 weeks of paid leave to bond with my pets? What other benefit can we offer to the folks who get less benefits because they choose to remain childless? We get no tax credits, we still pay the taxes on our home (which pays for YOUR childrens schools etc.) I want to pay less taxes for being childless, since I am less of a burden on society in general. I do not want to pick up the slack because you want to have a child even if you can’t afford it. Don’t get me started on shift preferences, either. Just because I don’t have children at home does not mean I should always be the one asked to work late, because my coworkers have to be at day care by 5 PM or get charged extra. So let them get charged, I did not help make the baby, I did not have the baby, and YOUR choice to have children should NOT affect my life in any way, shape or form. Ask any single worker or childless couple. Those of us who choose not to have children get shafted in the workplace, on our taxes, and in the restaurant during dinner when your kid cries and you won’t take them outside. Responsible family planning is obviously becoming a thing of the past. Just because you are physically able to and desire to have them, you are not simply entitled. DON’T ask us to help pay for your kids. PERIOD.