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Fmla???

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kassiebug

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Wisconsin

Okay so this is a tall order, but I was wondering if I wanted to become active in a movement to try and get maternity leave laws changed, where would you start?

Ang
 


kassiebug

Junior Member
Well, I would like to see the United States get up to speed with other countries on offering paid time off to new moms. I have just learned that in other countries women and men can get up to a year of paid leave. I think that if the goverment wants to make women aware of breastfeeding and the wonderful benefits they should also offer the resources and time to do it.

Thanks
Ang
 

Beth3

Senior Member
You may write to your state and federal representatives and share your thoughts. You can even try to persuade any of them to introduce a bill in your State legislature or Congress to that effect. (I don't know that it's the government's job to make women aware of breastfeeding however. I don't know anybody who isn't aware of that; it's rather biologically obvious. I also know plenty of new moms who continue to do that after they return to their jobs.)

I'm wondering if you've considered who's supposed to pay for all this paid leave?
 

kassiebug

Junior Member
Well I really did not want to get in a debate with you on this, I was just looking for some advice. I would agree that it is not the goverments place to start telling woman about breastfeeding either, so why don't you take some time out of your busy life and try to stop all the awareness campaigns that are going on? (and save us some tax dollars) I am just trying to make a point that in other developing countries people actually take some time off without the money hardships that we woman face in this country. Have YOU looked in to any of those stats since you want to start an attitude? As I can see from other posts on this site it seems that this website is more about taking a firm stand on your own opinion then helping other people become aware. Hope you have a wonderful day Beth.

Ang
 

cbg

I'm a Northern Girl
Just as a matter of interest, while it is true that other countries may offer up to a year of paid leave, it is also true that they pay about three times in taxes what we do. I have relatives in one of the countries that provides this; they roll their eyes in disgust if my brother complains about the tax rate here.

You are free to lobby with the state and Federal government, through your elected officials, for such a change. But to implement such a change will almost certainly require a corresponding increase in taxes. Paid leave does not come for free.
 

withonel

Member
Paid Family Leave

California recently passed Paid Family Leave, they provide paid leave for a new baby, adoption and/or caring for a sick familiy member. Paid Family Leave is unemployment compensation disability insurance paid to workers who suffer a wage loss when they take time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child.
Workers may receive up to six (6) weeks of benefits that may be paid over a 12-month period.
Beginning January 1, 2004, employers are required to deduct the Paid Family Leave contributions from the wages of employees who are covered by the SDI program.
The Paid Family Leave insurance program is fully funded by employees' contributions, similar to the SDI program.
So it is already being done, but even in employee friendly CA it was an uphill battle.
 

ablessin

Member
Paid leave

I agree with the above - just WHERE do you think this paid leave is going to come from? I am a woman, but I'll be dammed if I am going to pay higher taxes so that anyone else can take 12 months off of work.......... Plus - who is supposed to do her job while she is out on a year long vacation?????

I do not agree with your proposal AT ALL. A woman can breast feed AND work - millions of new moms do it.

Personally, I think the mom would be less inclined to return to work after being out paid for a year......... I am sorry but I have a hard enough time returning to work after having two weeks off - and when I had my son, after being out for eight weeks, I was eager to return to work and normal life, but also I had a hard time with the structure of the day (getting up in the morning to actually have to be someplace) - - -it was a mix, yes - but I don't think I would have been able to stay home for a year.
Probably depends on your benefit - I got 50% of my pay while I was out - but that could just be my employer's maternity benefit - then after that I either had to use vacation or take the time off unpaid.

I highly doubt you're going to get anywhere with 12 months paid time off.
 

cbg

I'm a Northern Girl
I got 50% of my pay while I was out - but that could just be my employer's maternity benefit

This was almost certainly your employer's maternity benefit. Of all the states, only California requires paid medical or family leave (although four state besides California mandates that an employer provide a short term disability benefit).
 

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