US Maternity

[TLH1971TLH]

Hi all

I'm a UK employer with a US based team and I've just been advised of a pregnancy. Can anyone on here give me any advise on laws / usual practice / benefit etc

Thanks

Tanya

[Stillunexpected]

There are a number of experienced HR practitioners on here (whether any of them have US experience is another matter) but, to be honest, it is very cheeky to join a site like this and ask for that kind of specialist advice. If your company is large enough to be managing international teams, surely you have in-house HR expertise and, if not, then you probably need to pay someone to advise you. This isn't something you want to get wrong and you surely you won't want to rely on advice from strangers on the internet?

[TLH1971TLH]

Hi - i was advised it might be a good place to ask as the law is that there is no maternity/pay but employers can choose what they offer, so was after info on what people might have received so we can create a policy. Sorry you felt asking mums was being cheeky

[CotswoldStrife]

Surely the company has a maternity leave policy?

[PotteringAlong]

So do you not have a maternity leave policy and need to write one?

[Stillunexpected]

I just think there are better places to ask. This is a predominantly UK site so you won't find many people who have experience of US maternity and the responses you do get will be mainly of the anecdotal "my sister's friend got this" or "my cousin's bridesmaid had to go back after two weeks". Not sure that should be how you are formulating a policy! I am sure the CIPD have an advice forum, although you probably need to be a member but there must be better places to ask than here. Who is the payroll provider for the US team?

[ninenicknames]

What does there US contract say? They will have a maternity policy within their US HR

[HermioneWeasley]

Agree with others, your company needs to pay for advice.

[TLH1971TLH]

ok - duly noted. I'll end the thread. Thanks all

[SarahOoo]

I just saw this and it's rather rude of Stillunexpected to say it's cheeky of you to ask on here and also VERY narrow minded of them to think as you're international you'd be a big company with an in house HR team. I work with employers in the UK, mainly small business and some of them have US based employees, the company could be just 10 employees.

The area you posted in is all to do with employment so you did a smart thing by asking here so I am very sorry for the reaction you received. Completely unnecessary of the posters.

[maggiethemagpie]

I am a HR practitioner sadly with no US experience and I don't mind in the least when people post asking for advice as it's actually good development for me and keeps me on my toes regarding my proficiency, particularly to see what other HR people may say in reply and if it's the same as my approach.
Sorry OP I would help you if I could but my experience is limited to UK employment law as I'd imagine the majority of HR posters here are.

Of course if you take advice based on what someone says on the internet and it turns out to be wrong, then there's no comeback on the advisor (as opposed to paid for advice) but it can at least give you a steer as to what may or may not be the right way to go which you could then check out with paid advice if you decide you need it.