It shocked me to find out, that not only do the Family Leave Act entitle mothers to only 12 weeks maternity leave, but also that these 12 weeks are unpaid (eventhough companies can choose to pay for the maternity leave).
America is one of the bottom countries around the world when it comes to maternity leave.
Wouldn't it be worth fighting through unions for longer leave (for mothers as well as fathers), i.e. the right to return to your job after a full year off, as well as for the right to get a decent amount of money (either from the company or the government) while you are on paternity/maternity leave?
Read this article for more information on the topic.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-07-26-maternity-leave_x.htm
2006-12-10 03:58:25 · 9 answers · asked by southernrightwhale 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
So take the money issue away. What about making it a right for all moms to take maternity leave for a year and being guarenteed that they can return to their work afterwards?
Also interested in hearing from people who find it difficult to save up to take leave with their newborn.
2006-12-10 04:29:45 · update #1
i am getting ready to have a baby (today is the due date actually), and i am on maternity leave unpaid. MY boyfriend lives with me and he works, and he is going to pay the bills until i get back to work, and yes money will be tight but we are going to be able to get by. i am only allowed to take off six weeks after i have the baby, but i know that i can return to my job. i know that in some countries women are allowed to take off a greater amount of time and still get paid, i would love for that to be my situation but i also understand others views of not wanting thier tax money spent on someone who decided to have a child, and cant afford to take maternity. But i also think that it is better to be able to stay with your child after it is born for a longer period of time then most mothers in america get. I guess you could say im split down the middle about the whole thing.
2006-12-10 04:45:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sort of. People are guaranteed 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family medical reasons if they've worked at a business at least a year. This doesn't necessarily include pregnancy, but most employers are going to give you 12 weeks. Some employers give more time off. This is one reason women who are financially better off and have husbands who make more money tend to simply leave the workforce for a while. If a company offers paid leave, they're going above and beyond what's required. On this note, men typically don't even get a week off work for their child's birth.
2016-03-29 02:00:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It always amuses me when people say America is at the bottom of whatever list they come up with. Makes me wonder why America leads the world, and why every time any country needs help it is America that gives the most... Jeslous of America?
As for "only" 12 weeks maternity leave...would you rather no one ever have to work and big companies give everyone checks all the time? Today lets take all the money from all the rich people and give it all to the poor. Then tomorrow we'll round up everyone that has any money left and take that and give it to the poor. Then after nobody has any money at all, we will all be equal and you will be very happy.
Everything shoud be free and no one should ever have to work for anything ever no matter what. Right...?
2006-12-10 04:07:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I have two children which means that twice I had to take Maternity leave- if you can't afford to take 12 weeks off, then you shouldn't be having kids. I am a stay at home mom now because my husband and I made the decision that I should be home with my children and he could afford to support the family on his pay. I understand some families can't afford this luxury- but that's life. Why should my husband work hard to support another mother for a year to stay home with her kid??? he didn't get her pregnant.
2006-12-10 04:04:37 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer F 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
People having children should be aware of what they can and cannot afford...having companies or tax payers pay for the privilidge of having children is not only irresponsible but could be devastating for small companies already struggling with payroll. Which would mean they would have to hire someone temporary or not hire anyone at all and the extra work burden put on others.
2006-12-10 04:10:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Pregnancy is normally a self-inflicted, sexually transmitted disease/condition. If a woman was raped and she became pregnant, then she should have paid maternity leave, but otherwise no.
2006-12-10 04:12:38 · answer #6 · answered by MATTHEW A 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no. some people will go crazy sitting at home to long. when i go on vacation i start getting cabin fever the first day. some love to work.
2006-12-10 04:04:29 · answer #7 · answered by willow t 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No no no no and no. Why should taxes (meaning: my money) be used to support someone else's personal choice. If you cannot afford a child, do not procreate.
2006-12-10 04:01:35 · answer #8 · answered by jh 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
We give them that much? Our we insane?
2006-12-10 05:24:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋