[MiaCamille]

Here in Canada we get a whole year for maternity leave which i find is great, how long do you get where you are and do you think it should be longer/shorter?

[ProudMommy77]

I'm loving the one year off! (I'm in Ontario.) My husband and I share the leave, as I am a high school teacher. I've gone back each September (our babies are Jan/Feb), and he takes the remainder of the time. He's so looking forward to being home with the two girls this September!

[MiaCamille]

Yay good for him not many men would want to stay home with 2 kids!

[pattiewrites]

You Canadian mamas are lucky! Most women in the US get nothing at all. Even with FMLA, the leave is unpaid and they only have to hold your job for 12 weeks in a calendar year! If the company has less than 50 employees, they don't even have to do that.

[1angelinheaven]

Wow...a whole year in Canada!!! I babysat for a lady that had only 6 weeks with her new baby before going back to work...she worked for a small lumbar yard. The Canadian women are very lucky!!!

[MiaCamille]

wow you guys... i wouldn't want to go back after 6 weeks... we are very lucky i loved being home and i still do!

[purelegance]

sorry i'm having laptop problems. please read the next post.

[purelegance]

Originally Posted by pattiewrites

You Canadian mamas are lucky! Most women in the US get nothing at all. Even with FMLA, the leave is unpaid and they only have to hold your job for 12 weeks in a calendar year! If the company has less than 50 employees, they don't even have to do that.

you're also not eligible for FMLA unless you worked all 40 hours a week for the past 1 year. i have been at both of my jobs for about 2 years, but i'm not eligible for FMLA because i'm part-time. It doesn't matter that for the majority of the time i worked just under 60 hours/week at both jobs. I can take a leave of absence, but it'll only cover MAYBE a week past my hospital stay. I'm just going to turn in my 2 weeks at both jobs, then re-apply when i'm ready. thankfully being rehired isn't a problem at either place.

i read off babycenter.com the maternity leave that people get in other countries. i think holland had the best policy, it sounded so amazing i tried talking to DH into moving there . although, if canada gives a year off, maybe we can hurry & pack up for a year!

[LeanyBean]

I think what the US does is crazy and I live there!
12 weeks maximum per calendar year UNPAID! And only if you meet the qualifications that the company sets forth. Most companys assume that you'll take 6 weeks off maximum -still unpaid- including the days you don't work before delivery. I find this outrageous. Even though it is law that the company must provide a private place to pump breastmilk most places tell you to lock the bathroom door and do it there. Excuse Me! I prefer not to be sitting on the throne with my boobs out, thanks. I have many issues with the medical issues and work issues in the US but I still plan to live here. Maybe with enough support and well written plan I can get some changes implemented. Who knows. I can only hope and pray for the US to have a government sponsered medical care program as Canada does. Unfortunately I do not think that will ever happen.

[AudreyOka]

My duaghter is 24. When I was pregnant with her, I had to go out on leave about 5 months into the pregnancy. The day she was born, I went on a 6 week unpaid leave. After that, I used up all of my sick and vacation time, then went back to work.