Paid Maternity Leave? FMLA?

PANurseRN1 · Sep 2, 2006

If she had enough paid time off accrued, it's possible. FMLA only guarantees you 12 weeks of time off (if you meet FMLA requirements) without losing your job. Whether or not you're paid depends on how much PTO you have.

I don't think anyone offers a separate paid maternity leave. That could be considered discriminatory, since only women could access it. In some countries in Europe this may be different, though.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Sep 2, 2006

If you qualify, FMLA allows you 12 weeks of leave to care for a newborn/family member per rolling year. It is paid if you use your sick and vacation time, otherwise it is not paid.

mommy2boys · Sep 2, 2006

I know in the state of CA you can get diability insurance through hte state for pregnancy/pregnancy issues. They generally don't pay that well, but at least it is something.

rn_happy · Sep 2, 2006

Thank u both for your reply and I admire so much the beauty of being a mom.....and look forward to such a special role! Children are such blessings...

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 3, 2006

It stinks that the USA is so very backward when it comes to parents and compensation. In most other Western countries, parents get generous paid leaves and even stipends to stay home w/their kids, versus sticking them in daycare so parents can work. I hate how hard it is here for parents------many have little to NO paid leave at all (I being one).

MemphisOBRNC, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2006

FMLA protects your job, meaning that you are assured a job when you return at your same rate of pay. It does not necessarily mean in the SAME area, though. I don't know of anyone who had to go to a different job with a different job description, but it can happen. To be eligible for FMLA, there is a minimum number of hours you must have worked prior to taking leave and at our facility, you must have been there at least 1 year.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 3, 2006

GOOD POINTS!!!!!

I know of someone who had to use FML and wound up on a different unit when she returned. Needless to say, she was NOT happy. Nothing at all she could do about it, however.

RNmommy · Sep 5, 2006

I think that you are in CA, no? CA pays disability for a standard pregnancy starting at 36 weeks. Then you get 6 or 8 weeks of disability depending on vag/section. Then you get an additional 6 weeks of "bonding" time. All are paid at approximately 2/3 your salary. However, they average your salary based on earning over 2 quarters of the last year. So, if you are a new grad, it's a good idea to wait until you have some good earning under your belt. Also, you do not qualify for FMLA until you have been with your company for 12 consecutive months. And FMLA is only 12 weeks but the state will let you take 16 weeks. That means that your company will only pay their portion of your insurance for those 12 weeks, after that you may have to use COBRA for insurance (which is not always the better route financially). Also, your job is only protected for 12 weeks.

Now, you could save up enough PTO to take all 16 weeks at full salary as most companies will let you use your sick and PTO for a pregnancy disability. When I had my last child, I had full salary for 12 weeks with CA state benefits and PTO/sick combined.

CA may not have the best disability coverage but it sure beats TX which has ZERO!!!

allnurses Guide · Sep 5, 2006

I think that you are in CA, no? CA pays disability for a standard pregnancy starting at 36 weeks. Then you get 6 or 8 weeks of disability depending on vag/section. Then you get an additional 6 weeks of "bonding" time. All are paid at approximately 2/3 your salary. However, they average your salary based on earning over 2 quarters of the last year. So, if you are a new grad, it's a good idea to wait until you have some good earning under your belt. Also, you do not qualify for FMLA until you have been with your company for 12 consecutive months. And FMLA is only 12 weeks but the state will let you take 16 weeks. That means that your company will only pay their portion of your insurance for those 12 weeks, after that you may have to use COBRA for insurance (which is not always the better route financially). Also, your job is only protected for 12 weeks.
Now, you could save up enough PTO to take all 16 weeks at full salary as most companies will let you use your sick and PTO for a pregnancy disability. When I had my last child, I had full salary for 12 weeks with CA state benefits and PTO/sick combined.
CA may not have the best disability coverage but it sure beats TX which has ZERO!!!

I agree - I took 4 months off and my paycheck was almost the same as when I worked my regular hours (no overtime).

steph