I'm having a hard time finding out about a company's maternal leave policy.

Anonymous

January 11,2023 at 4:14PM UTC

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I'm having a hard time finding out about a company's maternal leave policy. I am reluctant to ask HR directly as I am very new. Any tips?

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Barb HansenJanuary 11,2023 at 5:10PM UTC
Ask HR directly.
It's okay to ask questions.
If you are reluctant to ask specifically about maternal/paternal leave, then schedule a meeting with HR and ask a bunch of questions bout the benefits package, including your maternal leave questions.
If you don't have any questions about the benefits package make some up.
AnonymousJanuary 13,2023 at 6:51PM UTC
good idea, thanks!
AnonymousJanuary 14,2023 at 1:48PM UTC
This is a great approach. Bear in mind, if you’re working for a smaller privately held company, they may be lacking in some of these policies. I actually heard of one recently whose policies were so far out of date it didn’t resemble any modern day policy (ie totally lacking a maternity policy and only used short term leave).
AnonymousJanuary 11,2023 at 5:18PM UTC
I would refer to the company's handbook or policies usually posted on their intranet.
AnonymousJanuary 13,2023 at 2:18PM UTC
Thank you! yes I requested it and reviewed it, nothing explicitly stated regarding parental leave. However, Short Term Disability for up to 13 weeks with 60% of pay is part of health plan which I believe I am eligible for as soon as next month (due April). To my knowledge I don't need to have worked there for a set amount of time to be eligible. Just hoping I can get the full 13 weeks even at partial pay.
AnonymousJanuary 14,2023 at 4:48PM UTC
You may want to look up requirements for FMLA to see if your company meets them and if you qualify. With regard to short term disability, some policies state that you would not be covered if it’s pre-existing, I.e. if you were already pregnant before signing on for the policy. You may want to look into that too.
At some point, you may want to meet with HR to discuss these things. I assume based on your question you’re currently pregnant? If so, I understand wanting to wait until you’re further along in your job or showing before letting anyone know.
AnonymousJanuary 14,2023 at 1:49PM UTC
Does your company have an intranet site? If so benefits etc are all listed on there usually. You’d have to search for it but it should be made available.
If you don’t have that option look in your employee handbook. That is something you should have gotten as part of your onboarding. If not ask for one, just tell them you want to familiarize yourself with the benefits offered and would like a copy.
AnonymousJanuary 17,2023 at 3:29PM UTC
As an HR person, I appreciate it when people ask. One, it means you're planning ahead. And two, there's a chance that if there isn't a policy, your company might create one (that's what happened during my last pregnancy).