Yakezie.com - Topic: Paternity Leave?

MoneyforCollegeProject on Paternity Leave?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:51:08 +0000

Very awesome and timely post. I've been looking into this myself. The main problem for me is that my job is very dependent on me. Nothing prideful about it, but I handle a lot of the daily tasks, that would have to be reassigned if I were to leave. I know that my company would be in the lurch without me. and it would be incredibly hard to come back into that. The decision will definitely take some serious considerations!

Super Frugalette on Paternity Leave?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:37:37 +0000

This happened to me. I was too new at the company to qualify for the 12 weeks of short term disability (that I would have had with a c-section). I managed to get 5 weeks off. The company gives every new parent 2 weeks off in addition to the STD. So I had 3 weeks of sick/vaca and the 2 weeks off.

Buck Inspire on Paternity Leave?

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:19:50 +0000

Hi all,

Thanks for all the advice and feedback. I am not eligible for FMLA since I started my job a few months ago. Will probably tap my vacation days as long as I can. Not looking forward to paying for my insurance benefits if I do take unpaid time off. Thanks again all!

This That And The MBA on Paternity Leave?

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:36:33 +0000

You will still be on the hook for the benefits though. You can rest assured that your job or an equivalant will be there when you return thanks to FMLA.

Super Frugalette on Paternity Leave?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:21:19 +0000

I also think you might be able to take the leave at any point during the first year, not just immediately after the baby is born. Also, I think you can request FLMA earlier than you need it, but not later. Thus, some kids come as early as week 37, so you might want to have it approved 7 weeks in advance if possible.

jaicatalano on Paternity Leave?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:31:45 +0000

My best friend lives in France. WOW I should have been a french man. They get the hook up. America gets you up on the hook.

Tom Drake on Paternity Leave?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:40:17 +0000

Here in Canada, we get 15 weeks maternity leave, then 35 weeks parental leave. So near one full year with the government paying 55% of our income, though that's capped at a certain dollar amount. Here's a post for those interested in how we do it up here… Maternity Leave and Parental Leave

Now, my work will top it up to 70% for 6 months, so that's exactly the span I plan to take off when my 2nd child arrives next month...half a year of parental leave ;)

Edward Antrobus on Paternity Leave?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:46:11 +0000

NJ institued a paid family leave law & tax a couple years ago. Not sure how it works or who exactly pays you, but everyone in NJ pays an additional tax to pay for it.

retireby40 on Paternity Leave?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:20:23 +0000

I took 3 months off last year. Now, I just need to figure out how to make it permanent.

http://retireby40.org/2011/04/.....etirement/

I had a sabbatical lined up though so I didn't have to take FMLA.

I took FMLA for a couple of months a few years ago to take care of a health issue. I didn't have to pay for insurance and I had short term disability insurance so that helped with the income reduction. I don't think you can get short term insurance to pay for a paternity leave. Good luck!

Glen Craig on Paternity Leave?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:35:21 +0000

What other have said sounds like correct. You get 12 weeks and the company can't fire you but they can put you in a new position.

It's in your best interest to use your days since that will extend your paycheck and benefits for that time (as others have said it may be required).

I don't recall, but there may be a time requirement before you can use FMLA? Like a company may require you to work there for a year first.

Check with your human resource department. But keep in mind they may not be too familiar with the rules either. Though FMLA is available for dads, it's not always used and the HR dept may not be familiar with your rights.

Also check with your company and see if you get any days in general. Some companies will give you time off for a new child.

As great as FMLA is, having to pay for your insurance is a tough thing to have to do.

I wrote about taking off when I became a stay-at-home dad (though I really don't get into FMAL specifics): http://freefrombroke.com/stay-home-dad-fmla/

jana on Paternity Leave?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:34:06 +0000

My husband took paternity leave after our daughter was born. Per the law, you are permitted to take up to 12 weeks of leave and Beating Broke is correct--all it guarantees is that they will cannot fire you. You can be reassigned to a different but equivalent position upon your return. Also, FMLA is only a requirement for companies of 50 employees or more (I think that's the right number) so if your company is smaller than that, they are not required to abide by FMLA.

It is also required that you get it approved about 30 days in advance. You must also use all of your vacation and sick time before taking unpaid time. You may also want to check to make sure that you are covered under FMLA. You must have worked for your company for a certain amount of time in order to be eligible.

Good luck and congratulations!

Daisy on Paternity Leave?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:17:53 +0000

Even Canada has government assistance for pat leave. I dont know much about the American system but I would think that you`d get paternity leave!

Jeff @ Sustainable Life Blog on Paternity Leave?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:42:35 +0000

thanks for putting this question in here buck -i've been curious about it myself. good luck with your decision.

BeatingBroke on Paternity Leave?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:08 +0000

I belive the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) does cover paternity leave to some degree. However, all it really does is guarantee that they can't fire you because you took the time (up to 12 weeks) off. They can (and usually do) require that you use up all your vacation and sick time up before using the unpaid time.

Unless you're at a company that is super generous with their benefits (doesn't sound like it), there isn't anything that I'm aware of that will cover paternity leave on a paid basis.

Aloysa on Paternity Leave?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:59:21 +0000

No government assistance in America buddy, now if this were Europe, it would be a very different story. They take care of people in Europe.

Yes, they do! My friend had a baby and stayed home, I believe, up to three years and got paid almost 90% of her salary!

Buck, did you look into FMLA?