Mat leave?
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Mat leave?
| Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:04pm |
Mid Nov I will have 600 hrs so I can go on mat leave. But Ive been told I dont qualify until 8 weeks before the birth. Do I have to work up to the time I can go on mat leave or can I have a few weeks break?
Jenn
Jenn


8 weeks before the baby even comes
My dh actually handles short/long term disability and maternity leave for his company :o)
probably the best thing to do is to check with your human resources department. I'm sure they have someone who can explain the entire process to you :o)
I took a week before my due date off - went a week late so only had 10 weeks off after baby (6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid).
Ok, I am in Canada too - I think the other ladies who replied are in the US. We get 52 paid weeks off for Maternity benefits. It is part of the unemployment system. You get 55% of your salary up to a max of $413 per week
Anyway, here is the link to the information:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/special.shtml#Maternity3
If you don't get directly routed to the maternity benefits portion, try licking on this one:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/special.shtml and scroll down to maternity benefits and click on it, it will take you to the maternity benefits part.
The site does say 8 weeks prior to delivery - I think that unless you are on medical leave like bedrest. And for that you will need a dr note. I am not 100% sure on that, but you can check the site, or call them about it.
I have been on mat leave when my first child was born and I never went back to work after my year was up. I am not sure if you are planning to return to work or not, but if you are planning to return wouldn't you rather work closer to your due date and then have longer off with the baby? If you leave work 8 weeks prior to delivery and then return to work after your time is up, the baby will only be 10 months old. If you are not planning to return to work, then take off whenever you like - but the rules do state a max of 8 weeks before your due date. I took 6 weeks off before my first, but I never returned to work.
Hope this helps,
Sandra