Maternity Leave and the workplace

[Drolefille]

I don't know for sure that a month is standard, but it's like.. that's a whole month! That's probably as far away as you can get to pin down when you're going to start your leave around your due date.

It's kind of a toss up between giving people really flexible "take care of your family first as long as you get your work done" freedom and people abusing it.

[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.