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MamaHen10
My employer's HR department is already asking how long I plan to take leave. For reference, I am located in the US.
The company offers 16 weeks of fully paid leave plus an additional 8 weeks of part time transition back with full pay. Other women at my company don't seem to take the full leave. My boss only took 2 WEEKS. My leave will also coincide with my busy season at work.
I'm torn between wanting to take the full leave and coming back sooner. I do work from home, so the plan is to have the baby at home while I work, and my mother or a nanny will watch her.
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babybeancomingmarch
I would DIE for this kind of leave! That is awesome. I would absolutely take advantage of that leave time, mama. You can’t get those first few weeks back but work will always be there ❤️ Of course, you have to be able to afford life! So if you’re unable to take that full time financially, that makes total sense. I get that.
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MereBear387
just want to offer the other perspective. I can take up to 16 weeks but will not be taking the full leave. I also work from home and have my mom + MIL who will spend time with the baby. I absolutely want to be present with my child, but for me to be truly present I know I will need to honor my own independence and interests as a person too. I’m fairly senior in my company and enjoy my job and find it intellectually stimulating. There’s been no pressure take less leave (ie no risk hurting my prospects of continuing to move up). This is just what I feel like will be right for me. So I say do what feels right to you! We haven’t finalized the plan but assuming baby and I are healthy I’ll likely take 4 weeks fully off and 4 weeks part time every day and then be back 100% with no travel until after 12 weeks.
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nikirenee13
@MereBear387,
Is this your first child?
I hate to be the devil’s advocate, but you may change your mind after 4, 8, etc weeks. I’m a soon to be third time mom. Recently recommended to my chief anesthesiologist that she take her FULL unpaid 12 weeks of leave and don’t feel a lick of guilt/hesitation about it. She came back to work after 10 weeks (she was originally going to take only 6), and she has told me multiple times how much she regrets that. She currently wishes she could go part time or quit altogether, but she’s the breadwinner in her family.
Not saying this to sway you, but giving perspective to everyone. Your opinion may change once your sweet babe is here. You can always give back leave and come back to work early. But it’s harder to request additional time off once your company has made a plan for your leave.
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HoneyBun325
For me, my family comes first so I’d definitely take it. Ultimately, it’s your personal choice. Do what is best for you and your family ��
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ellis2b14
It’s fully paid, so I would take it. I get 16 weeks fully paid, plus 6 weeks short-term disability, and I plan to take it all. My boss mentioned splitting it up as though that was a good thing, but I don’t think it makes any sense.
The big question for me is whether you’d even consider not taking it all if the precedent hadn’t been set by others in your company to come back early? If that was taken out of the equation would you take the full leave? If so, I would say take it all.
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Katiek355
I get 4 weeks paid… take that leave!
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Myamsek2
Take the full leave! 16 weeks will fly by before you know it
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NCloves3
I am using fmla so only 12 weeks, 8 weeks paid by employer and I will have to drain all my sick leave to pay for the other four weeks.. I still wish there was an option for more! Take all the leave you can get, what a blessing.
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mamapolonia
I don’t get any paid leave at all. Take it!
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mamadiddles
I get 16 weeks off as well and took all of it with my last during the busiest time of year at my job and plan to take it all with this one. You are entitled to it so take it lady !!
Also, is your job hiring? Hahah I would love to wfh. I plan to use my leave to apply for remote positions like crazy so I can have my step mom just come over during the day
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FarmBoyMom2022
Take it. Take all of it. Fully paid?! That doesn’t exist very often in the US for 6-8 weeks let alone 16. And don’t feel guilty about the busy season. Someone will figure it out. Take the 8 transition too. You will never get that time back.
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