"Maternity leave" (or not) in the US

[lulu1414]

Does anyone have any information about what happens in the US re maternity leave? I am considering taking a job based in the US (I am not pregnant but hope to be soon). I understand they don't really have maternity leave, but that you depend on sick leave. Any experience/ information/ advice appreciated.

I am sure that I read on here that it was something silly like 6 weeks???!!!

Lulu,

From memory my US colleagues have 2 weeks annual leave, + 2 weeks 'personal leave'. Maternity leave was 6 weeks or 8 weeks for c-section.

My colleagues took holidays and unpaid leave to supplement their maternity leave.

My brutally honest advice - don't move to the US if you are thinking of getting pregnant any time soon. They have no real concept of maternity leave (especially in small companies) and anything over three months is considered extortionate. It is normally unpaid. It is governed by the Family and Medical Leave Act, which as others have said treats pregnancy a bit like sick leave.

Do also remember that they don't have the same rules as us on part timers. Don't know if this could be relevant to you, but there is no right to request flexible working. If you do get awarded part time hours they are generally on less than pro rata salary (this is illegal in the UK) and you normally lose most of the valuable benefits (like health insurance).

Plus, holiday (or Personal Time off -PTO) is normally only a couple of weeks a year. Hard to juggle with a small child.

I'd have your kids and move there later, if you still want to.

That is what I was afraid of. I am in a real predicament then! Does working for federal government/ military make any difference?

Not to the law, but they might have slightly better leave policies. It will not be anything like the length of leave you could get in the UK though, no matter how generous the employer. They think we're appallingly generous!