Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

I may have an opportunity to leave my job in the city and work out on Long Island about 5-10 minutes from my home. The drawback would be that I've been at my current employer long enough to qualify for FMLA and 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. I know after I have children I would be able to work a reduced schedule helping somewhat with the commute but my salary would be prorated based on how many hours I cut.

If I take this new job I will not have been there a year before having my first LO which means I would not be elligible for FMLA and only the 6 weeks that is covered under STD, 8 weeks if I end up needed a c-section. I also don't know what their maternity leave policy is overall. It could be spectacular but it could also be horrible and it's not something I'm going to ask at this point.

The salary is slightly more than I'm making now and also subtract commuting costs/time so that is all a plus. I have one more interview to go but I wanted to start really weighing the options in case it does work out. I sort of dread going into the unkown at a time like this.

What would you do if you got the offer?? I know that maternity leave is a temporary thing while the commuting issues would be ongoing, I just can't imagine going back to work that quickly.

TIA for your input!

Message edited 6/20/2012 9:38:10 PM.

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

Honestly, it is a tough decision, but if I were you, I would opt for the job closer to home. You may have less time initially, but you will be home earlier everday, which means you will have more time with your dc overall. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

Posted by Readyornot2under2

Honestly, it is a tough decision, but if I were you, I would opt for the job closer to home. You may have less time initially, but you will be home earlier everday, which means you will have more time with your dc overall. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

Posted by Readyornot2under2

Honestly, it is a tough decision, but if I were you, I would opt for the job closer to home. You may have less time initially, but you will be home earlier everday, which means you will have more time with your dc overall. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

I agree with above as well.

A shorter commute makes a huge difference. It can change your mood and most important youll have more time with LO!

But i will play devils advocate and ask a few questions... How far along are you? What about drs appointments, are those made after work hours? Or if your sick and need to take a day off? My only question is starting a new job the cant take off for 3 months probation period, do they know your preggos? Are you showing?

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

Not sure if I'd take the new job. It sounds like a great opportunity, but going back to work 6 weeks after birth just looks rough. We were just getting the hang of BFing. I had a c-section and was just starting to feel better. DD wasn't doing much sleeping at that point, and if I had to function at work I'd be a disaster. By 12 weeks we were all happier lol.

That said, I know two women that went back that early and made it work.

Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

As someone who commutes into NYC, the shorter commute would be appealing but, I'd have to factor a lot of other things into my decision.

I guess I would make it more of a quality of life decision - which job is more conducive to having a family? Vacation time? Etc? Will you be making up for the more $$ and shorter commute by working longer hours? A friend of mine got a job closer to home and she ends up with one more hour than she had before because she works later at the new job and she gets a lot less vacation.

Commuting is a pain but, I use it as "me" time so I'm fully charged and ready to go the second I walk in the door.

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

i would def go for the job w/ the shorter commute

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

That's a hard decision. I commute to upper Manhattan for my job and it's difficult. The positive for me is that I had been at my job several years before my first DS was born and have been granted so much flexibility because of my history at the agency - which makes the commute worth it to me. You'll be amazed at all of the things that come up - the baby gets sick, you get sick, childcare problems, etc. If your current job is supportive and understanding - that may make the commute worth it until you get the parenting routine running - then search out a job closer to home. No doubt - I could understand the appeal of being closer to home and more money too!

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

As someone who commutes, and seriously am considering leaving my job after i have children bc of it, id opt for the shorter commute. In the long run i see that being worth it.

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

i think the shorter commute is key (speaking as someone that drives to the bronx daily!)...but other things to consider....

starting a new job - what is the vacation/sick policy? if your LO gets sick...is it you or DH that will stay home with them? how long before you will even be allowed to take vaca/sick time.

are you on your husbands insurance policy or your current job? typically new hires have to wait 3 months to get insurance...you cant really go 3 months without it while pregnant

your current job (although they will prorate you)...seems to be flexible with your days/hours. that will be important when its time for dr appts etc...a new job typically has you on a "probation period" when you are newly hired (my job is 6 months)...if you are out sick, or leaving early for dr appts they could use that against you during your probation period and i believe they can let you go for that

even though my commute is long...i have such flexibility here that i would be foolish to leave. i get 5 weeks vacation, and i am able to say i have to leave early/come in late and i do not get penalized for it....a lot of places will dock you or write you up for that.

there are a lot of things to consider...good luck!

Message edited 6/21/2012 9:20:07 AM.

Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

I definitely see what you guys are saying. DH and I talked about it this morning and said it might just make more sense to wait for all of these reasons. Like today with the heat I'm not feeling that great so I'll be going in late and even without knowing I'm expecting yet my boss was fine with it. I do get a pretty good amount of vacation time, 20 days, 5 sick and 2 personal and a decent holiday schedule.

It would probably make more sense to look for something after the baby comes and I am more settled in a routine.

Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

A shorter commute and more money sound great. But I agree with the above- if you get an offer start asking about the benefits- vacation, sick time and maternity leave. You have every right to ask about these things before accepting the job. But wait until an offer is on the table. They may have maternity leave outside FMLA which would be great.
Good luck- I commute to the city but they are pretty flexible with me and I usually work one day from home.

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

I was in a similar position a few months ago, and opted to stay at my current job for a few reasons:

--The longer maternity leave (12 weeks vs 6 weeks) - it came out to a lot of money and I just couldn't bear the thought of having to go back after 6 weeks.

--The flexibility - been at my job 2 years now and "proved myself," if you will, so I have more weight in leaving early, going to appts, working from home when needed...I don't have to feel guilty since I put in my time.

I remember my first 6 mos at my current job and it was pretty brutal with getting up to speed and really just proving my value, and I can't imagine doing that with a newborn and breastfeeding, and inevitable sick days right away, etc.

I would consider waiting until after maternity leave and hope that a similar opportunity comes up once you're settled into a routine with your LO.

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

Posted by Readyornot2under2

Honestly, it is a tough decision, but if I were you, I would opt for the job closer to home. You may have less time initially, but you will be home earlier everday, which means you will have more time with your dc overall. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

Posted by Readyornot2under2

Honestly, it is a tough decision, but if I were you, I would opt for the job closer to home. You may have less time initially, but you will be home earlier everday, which means you will have more time with your dc overall. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

As much as it sucks to only get 6/8 weeks paid maternity (this is how my job works also and I don't see us affording me to stay home an add'l 6 with no pay)... I think in the long run, you will miss out on less and spend more time with DC(s) if you are closer to home.

Re: Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

I went back to work pretty fast... aflac only covered the 6 week disability - 60% of salary(technically 5 weeks cause sick time is used on the first week) and two weeks vacation time after that. Honestly, it wasn't that bad.

......thats a pretty amazing employer to be able to give you 12 weeks paid.... I think I'd tend to disagree with PP and say I'd probably stay with the current employer. The new employer if they offer short term disability is going to have a waiting period on maternity coverage(usually don't qualify if pregnant in the first 3 months plus there might be a waiting period before you can even enroll for that coverage(....The less time/less paid maternity leave wouldn't bother me in switching, but when I had my ds, it was so exhausting for me and dh waking up overnight taking care of the baby. I kinda think that if I were to switch to new company I would have to feel the need to prove myself, and prove my quality of work, and I don't think I personally would accomplice that with the tiredness from the pregnancy, then from the newborn at home... JMO........

YET..... If your interviewing out of choice, not necessity, then there is something your not happy with in your current company. You had enough drive to step outside the comfort zone already by going on the interview. Only you can determine if you will like the people and the job duties more in the new place. Money and commute are less important factors, because if you don't like the people/job there isn't much you can do to change it.

Shorter Commute vs. Longer Maternity Leave

I too would go for the shorter commute/ larger salary. You may not get the paid maternity leave but you will end up making up for it in the long run when you subtract commuting costs!

Even 6 weeks is awesome... I don't get anything other than the guarantee that they will hold my job!