Maternity Leave and the workplace

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

A slight tangent, but what is the typical protocol for notifying one's employer about the intent to take maternity leave? I ask because a co-worker notified us the day before Thanksgiving that she would be taking maternity leave effective January 2nd, I believe (well, she just wouldn't be returning after the New Years break, so whatever date that was). None of us had any idea she was even pregnant but that's a different story. I am still bitter toward her because she put us all in a bad spot by not telling anyone until so late. Add in that it was the holidays when everyone is crazy busy, anyway, and well...it was a huge headache.

I don't know, that is a month's notice, which means she's 7.5-8 months pregnant.. and you didn't know?

I kind of feel like a month is pretty good notice, even if the holidays make things more difficult. And it's not like there's some obligation to announce pregnancy, it's just common socially. YMMV.

[ThetaDancer]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I don't know, that is a month's notice, which means she's 7.5-8 months pregnant.. and you didn't know?

I kind of feel like a month is pretty good notice, even if the holidays make things more difficult. And it's not like there's some obligation to announce pregnancy, it's just common socially. YMMV.

I know it sounds completely ridiculous that we didn't know but that was the most shocked I've ever been in my life. She's a heavier woman to begin with and...yeah I still really don't know how it's possible we didn't figure it out.

You're right that she had no obligation to announce she was pregnant, and if a month is a pretty standard amount of heads-up, that's good to know. It was the first time I've worked with someone who took maternity leave and it seemed like short notice to me, but maybe that's the norm.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I believe the protocol is based on HR and the specific policies and procedures for the organization.

I know women who were hired and signed a highly paid contract without telling the company that they were pregnant (or told certain people without making a company-wide statement). They got hired and months after their start date, they contractually became eligible for maternity leave. They took the maternity leave which pissed some people off because they were "newbies" but they hadn't violated company policies or anything. Everything worked out because they were extremely productive and really carried their weight when their maternity leave ended.

I think you might have hit the nail on the head with why I still feel like this hasn't been handled considerately. Since she's returned, she still takes off once or twice per week with very short notice (as in, a mass email like 5 minutes after she's supposed to be at work announcing she won't be in, or an email over the lunch hour saying she won't return for the afternoon) to take care of her newborn. I really want to be understanding about the fact that newborns are a ton of work and things can come up unexpectedly, but I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the way things have been handled.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

I think you might have hit the nail on the head with why I still feel like this hasn't been handled considerately. Since she's returned, she still takes off once or twice per week with very short notice (as in, a mass email like 5 minutes after she's supposed to be at work announcing she won't be in, or an email over the lunch hour saying she won't return for the afternoon) to take care of her newborn. I really want to be understanding about the fact that ewborns are a ton of work and things can come up unexpectedly, but I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the way things have been handled.

That has nothing to do with maternity leave and when she notified everyone of it. She did nothing wrong there (and it probably seemed like it was less time than it was because of the holidays). That has to do with her being an inconsiderate bitch at the present time. If she doesn't have adequate care for the baby that can take care of whatever comes up, that is not the rest of the company's problem. Her supervisor really needs to speak to her. One or two emergencies in the span of 3 months is one thing, but twice a WEEK??

She's completely taking advantage because she thinks she can't get fired because of the baby. She apparently didn't tell anyone about her personal life before the baby was born, but now that it's here, she wants the whole company to be OK with her blowing off work on a regular basis?? Eff no.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

I think you might have hit the nail on the head with why I still feel like this hasn't been handled considerately. Since she's returned, she still takes off once or twice per week with very short notice (as in, a mass email like 5 minutes after she's supposed to be at work announcing she won't be in, or an email over the lunch hour saying she won't return for the afternoon) to take care of her newborn. I really want to be understanding about the fact that newborns are a ton of work and things can come up unexpectedly, but I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the way things have been handled.

The company needs to tighten up on its policies and procedures and tell everyone how much notice is needed for women AND men who are taking care of children (or family members). Emergencies happen but that woman isn't leaving with 5 minutes notice for emergencies. She needs to work that out better with her family and the company (in line with company policies).

I really appreciate the companies that have daycares on site and academic departments that allow women and men to have cribs in their offices.