Paternity Leave? | Yakezie Reader Insights | Yakezie Forums

Hi guys,

Anyone experienced with paternity leave?  I started a new job so not eligible for company benefits, but am I entitled to government assistance?  I didn't realize, but if I do take time off, I'll be on the hook for my insurance premiums so may try to use my vacation days to cover.  Just didn't want to leave anything on the table.  Thanks!

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?

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

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!

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!

Post edited 3:41 pm – February 10, 2012 by Tom @ Canadian Finance Blog

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 ;)

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.

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! 

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!