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Maternity Leave Policy

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Five Things to Check for in Your Maternity Leave Policy
According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), maternity leave policies usually combine different sources, such as FMLA, short-term disability and paid company leave. Understanding the fine print in your company’s maternity leave policy will provide job protection while reducing potential problems. Below introduces five things that you should check in your company’s maternity leave policy.
The Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The first thing to check in your maternity leave policy is if FMLA is offered. FMLA is a federal law that provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off. At the same time, it guarantees that you will have a job when you return to work. However, FMLA only applies under certain conditions. For example, eligible employees must have worked for their employer for at least one year at a company that employs at least 50 people in a 75 mile radius.
Keep in mind that FMLA is flexible and allows you to take a total of 12 weeks of unpaid time off within a one year period. However, some companies require employees on FMLA to use their paid leave when they are on FMLA. If you are planning on using FMLA, you must give a 30-day notice to the HR department. Finally, FMLA also applies to employees, such as …show more content…

Pregnant employees who experience a high-risk or complicated pregnancy may need to unexpectedly leave or miss work. An ideal maternity leave policy will express an understanding for unplanned absenteeism during pregnancy. It is an unfortunate fact that some employers discriminate against pregnant women by trying to force them to work or disciplining them for missing work. If you are experiencing a complicated pregnancy, be sure to check first with your high-risk pregnancy doctor to have official medical documentation of your specific needs and

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