Maternity Leave and Other Life Transitions for Working Moms
Planning Maternity Leave
Planning maternity leave can feel overwhelming. It doesn't have to be. Start planning your maternity leave step by step. Whether you're sure you're returning to work or hoping to quit your job, you can benefit from developing a flexible, thorough maternity leave plan. Planning your maternity leave frees you to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy...
Figure Out How Much Maternity Leave to Take
How much maternity leave should you take? It's hard to know when you're pregnant how long a maternity leave you'll want. U.S. law gives you 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but some moms can't afford to go that long without a paycheck. Others may want to request additional maternity leave. These steps help you figure out how much maternity leave to take.
How to Go Back to Work
You've decided to go back to work. Next question: how? It isn't too hard to go back to work if you break down the process into steps. Figure out what career field you plan to pursue when you go back to work. Make sure you have adequate training and an excellent resume. Line up child care and launch a job search. Before you know it, you're ready...
Have You Seen Pregnancy Discrimination? Share Your Stories of Pregnan…
Pregnancy discrimination is illegal, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Have you seen a colleague suffer at work for being pregnant? Or have you suspected pregnancy discrimination against yourself? Please share your story of pregnancy discrimination.
Maternity Leave Laws and You
Expectant mothers are often surprised to discover that maternity leave laws differ from state to state and there are no federal laws for maternity leave. It helps to understand the maternity leave laws before you decide to have a baby. If you're already pregnant, this article will quickly update you on what you need to know about maternity leave...
Understanding FMLA Leave
FMLA leave is an important benefit for working moms to understand. Many women use FMLA leave to take time off after giving birth to a child or to care for a child's chronic illness. This profile of FMLA leave will help you understand when you're entitled to it, and what loopholes might catch you off guard.
8 Ways to Juggle Pregnancy and Work
One big challenge for working mothers is juggling pregnancy and work. With one or more children to care for already and another on the way, holding down a full-time job through morning sickness and bouts of fatigue can be difficult. Here are 8 tips for making this period of your life easier and juggling pregnancy and work more effectively.
Understand Your Paternity Leave Options
The concept of paternity leave used to be foreign, when every mother stayed home with a new infant. But now, at least three states provide partially paid paternity leave to new dads, and some forward-thinking employers offer fully paid weeks of paternity leave. Even if you don't have paid paternity leave available, consider patching together...
Back to Work Journey
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Can Working Moms Breastfeed?
Yes, working moms can breastfeed. It may be more challenging to decide to breastfeed a baby after your maternity leave ends. But with commitment and creativity, you can make it a success to breastfeed.
Choosing Your Professional Maternity Clothes
Working mothers need to be conscious of the appropriate attire for different occasions -- especially for work -- when purchasing maternity clothes. In addition to making sure the maternity clothes you buy are appropriate for work and other occasions, there are several other shopping tips to keep in mind when stocking your maternity clothes closet.
Jobs for Pregnant Women
When you're pregnant, everyday activities may seem to require more energy than ever before. In fact, jobs that keep you on your feet all day might get difficult for pregnant women. However, there are many jobs for pregnant women that have certain appealing characteristics. Believe it or not, you can even find a job while pregnant.
A Short Primer on Maternity Pay
Despite many developed countries having standard policies requiring companies to pay salaries to women on maternity leave, the United States lacks a law regarding maternity pay. Still, a large majority of US companies will provide four to six weeks of maternity pay. If your company doesn't offer maternity pay, there are other avenues to pursue,...
6 Ways to Prepare to Go Back to Work
Going back to work after maternity leave or taking some time off while your child is young can be difficult, and very overwhelming for many mothers. But the well-prepared working mom will have an easier integration back into the workplace. To prepare to go back to work, try the following.
Guide to Negotiating Maternity Leave With Your Boss
Negotiating maternity leave may be necessary if your company doesn't offer it. Don't be afraid -- maternity leave often is up for negotiation. Start by arranging time for negotiating maternity leave with your boss.