Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I'm originally from europe...from a country where you get about a years maternity leave (paid) so all my friends back there having babies are amazed at how little maternity leave is given here in the US and that some women have to leave their babies and return to work after as little as 6 weeks.
I can't help being a bit jealous of my friends back there getting all this maternity leave but also being a bit defensive that leaving my DC after 5 months (12 weeks of which was unpaid FMLA) was fine.
i never really hear my mommy friends here complain about the maternity leave and i guess i was just wondering if that's because they think it's a sufficient amount of time and the europeans are overdoing it? or if we've just had to get used to the short leave here and don't think that the maternity leave polices here are that bad.
I don't think there's a right or a wrong but i guess I was just wondering what peoples thoughts are.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

My DH's family is from Canada and they also get 1 year of maternity leave paid. The maternity leave here is HORRIBLE!!! With my first son I didn't get any and had to go back to work at 6 weeks old and with my second son, I took 12 weeks, but only got 3 paid weeks maternity from my employer. It definitely needs to change.

Message edited 10/20/2009 12:29:02 PM.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I think the maternity leave in the US is awful! We should get at least 6 months here, preferably a year. I don't know why this isn't the norm. I think if a woman wants to go back to work before that, she should be able to, but everyone should have a choice.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I think maternity leave here is horrible. 6 weeks was not enough time for me, it was so hard to leave my little baby so soon.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I hate the maternity leave here! it's technically not even called that anymore.. it's Disability/and/or FMLA!! I know teachers depending on where they work get a year or 3 years depending on the district. I should've been a teacher!!

To answer your question..it don't think it's talked about b/c It's too upsetting to talk about the unfairness of it compared to Europe!!

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

i do have to say that i agree with the year long thing...

i do see a 'shift' happening though. I know NJ (and a few other states) have now instigated a law that you can take an additional 6 weeks 'bonding' time with your baby - both mom & DAD....you can take it in a row, or by 1 week increments. It's not much - but it's SOMETHING....and it's 100% paid by the state!

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

i dont even have ANY maternity leave.. its ridiculous..

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I complain whenever I can that the U.S. maternity leave policy (12 weeks unpaid via FMLA) SUCKS big time.

I think moms should get at least 6 months leave paid at 100%. Why should we be penalized for choosing to have a family? Society would not continue if we did not make this choice.

Now I understand that companies have to scramble when moms are out on leave. I just hate that everyday I feel like I have to choose between my career and my family.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

Posted by MetsGirl07

i dont even have ANY maternity leave.. its ridiculous..

Message edited 10/20/2009 12:43:14 PM.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

maternity leave here blows big time. My company considers maternity a "6 week disability" and they feel its a sufficient enough time to bond with your baby. (this is what h/r said to me.)

i can take the add'l 6 weeks for a total of 12 via the FMLA act, but im getting paid for 6. i have to max out the rest of my vacation so thats another 3 weeks paid. Compared to others i guess Im lucky.


I dont necessarily think we should follow leave plans of other countries around the world, however something has to change big time. I feel like im being punished for having a baby.
Like why do we have to choose between having a baby and giving up our salaries?? Makes no sense to me.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I thnk it's pathetic and pityful the maternity leave in the US. I think its crap!!!!!!! Says a lot about the governments "family values" if you ask me! There should definetly be a reform on making maternity leave much better!
The europeans have the righrt idea! I wish I was so lucky to live there!

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

ML is awful here. I had 16 weeks, 8 wks unpaid. I can not even imagine going back to work after 6 weeks, I don't think I could do it. As long as women continue to go back to work after 6 weeks, these companies/ gov't will not change because they don't have to. It's never going to change because people here have so many bills and not much savings they NEED to go back to work . it's so sad. the worst is when a company gives 12 weeks FMLA and ppl have to come back early (6 weeks) bc they need the money.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I think its a real shame, the country that prides itself on being the greatest country in the world doens't look after its new parents very well.

I live in the UK and I get a good deal, my new company gives 13 weeks fully paid maternity leave, with a further 26 weeks at statuatory maternity pay (£123 a week, which is about $200) and the further 13 weeks are unpaid, however by law they have to keep your job or a similar job open for you for a year. Plus you accrue all your 25 days holiday, which you can get cash for at the end of your maternity leave. This is a much better deal than my old company.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I agree, we need change. I often hear of representatives in congress proposing new bills, but nothing seems to ever get passed. More recently, there was a rep who proposed giving federal employees 12 weeks paid maternity leave. On one hand, I dont think they should limit the paid leave to federal employees, but on the other hand, that may be a good start. If the federal government did this, I think it might have an effect on the private sector.

Message edited 10/20/2009 3:32:35 PM.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

thanks for the replies ladies. glad to see i'm not the only one who thinks it sucks here....it really does seem pityful that a country as great as ours is so behind when it comes to this....hopefully this is something that will change....it seems like a basic human right!!

TBH I was actually worried that i'd get some responses saying that people think it's ok and are happy to go back...glad that didn't happen.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries

I think the maternity leave here in the US sucks but I think we all just have to accept it. Either take the short 6-12 weeks & then go back to work or don't go back to work at all & miss a second paycheck - those are the 2 options.
I am also a citizen in another country & my mom joked saying I should go have my baby there & get paid for a year.

Re: Maternity Leave here in the US Vs other countries