One Week Maternity Leave?!

Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer was back on the job after just one week of maternity leave.

What type of maternity leave are you looking for?

Ready to negotiate?

First, know your rights.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) offers women in the U.S. 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave and provides them with job security.

If you are a “key employee exception” then this act does not apply to you.

“Key employee exception” typically refers to women like Mayer – top earning executives in a company that employs more than 50 workers.

So what you can you do if you discover that your C-Suite position won’t be protected by law if you decide to become a mommy?

Laws vary by state, says Lisa Pierson Weinberger, legal expert and founder of Mom Esquire.

“Some provide protected leaves of absence to key employees. Also, women who hold senior positions usually have negotiating power and can create maternity leave terms with an employer.”

She continues, “consult with resources outside of your employer to ensure you are getting protected time off and wage replacement.”

With more women choosing work flexibility, or to leave the career scene for a few years after becoming a mom, brushing up on maternity leave policies can aid the transition.

“If a woman is receiving maternity leave benefits from an employer, those benefits may have to be repaid if she decides not to return to work,” says Weinberger.

With the correct legal consultation, expectant and new mothers have more options for job security and paid leave than they realize.

Bonus PINK Link: Trying to shape up, post-pregnancy? Here’s more.

How long was your maternity leave?

By Christina Caldwell

“24/7. Once you sign on to be a mother, that’s the only shift they offer.” Jodi Picoult