Updated with Ask Heidi video.
Planning to take maternity leave?
It may not be exactly what you think or hope it is if you live in the U.S. Read on to learn what you oughta know about navigating maternity leave.
What is maternity leave?
How long is maternity leave?
But the law only applies to certain employees at certain companies (more on that below).
More About Working During Pregnancy
Do you get paid for maternity leave?
Some states and individual employers offer paid parental leave, but not all.
Thats because the FMLA doesnt require employers to pay their workers during the time they take off.
Some generous policies grant a number of months or more.
To learn more about your current or a prospective employers family leave, ask the companys human resources department.
Heres how it works:
What is the FMLA?
Thats a great thing for parents and kids alike, but there are exceptions.
There’s potential for future change too.
Some legislators and activist groups are backing a national paid leave program (likethe FAMILY Act).
Othershave expanded coverage for unpaid leave.
Minnesotas family leave applies to employers with at least 21 (instead of 50) employees.
Maines family leave policy grants up to 10 weeks and applies to employers with at least 15 employees.
Find out more information about your states maternity leave laws by calling yourDepartment of Labors local office.
What is STD insurance?
Qualifying for STD insurance
There are many variations of STD benefits.
Be sure to talk to someone in your HR department and find out what you will be entitled to.
Some plans allow more time if you had a C-section or other complications during delivery.
Some also cover physician-prescribedbed restbefore delivery.
