How to Set Up Maternity or Paternity Leave

Having a baby changes nearly every aspect of your life. Be sure to give yourselves time to adjust and enjoy your little one before you rush back to work. The Family Medical Leave Act now enables fathers as well as mothers to take time off after baby's arrival, so take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Research your state's laws and your legal rights. Review your contract or employee handbook so you know what you are legally entitled to and how much of it will be paid for by shortterm disability, vacation time and/or sick leave.
2. Decide how much time to take off after the baby is born and when it would be best for you to take it. Do you want to work up to the day you rush to the hospital so you can spend all your time with your new baby--or do you want to be home a week before your baby's due date to rest up and prepare?
3. Examine your finances and decide how much time you can afford to take off. Consider what you can do without to increase that all-important time with your new arrival.
4. Wait until after the first trimester (when the major risk of miscarriage passes) to tell your boss, co-workers and/or employees. Don't wait too long, however--give them as much notice as possible (legally, you must give at least 30 days).
5. Present your boss with a written plan that specifies what you're requesting. Six weeks paid leave? Six months? Part-time upon return? A flexible schedule? Be ready to show him or her how your plan will work successfully for both of you.
6. Know your rights. If your company has 15 or more employees, it is subject to the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act. This law protects women against being fired, refused a job or denied a promotion merely because they are pregnant.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have to return to work but don't want to leave your new baby in the care of outsiders, stagger your leave with your spouse's so that you take turns staying home, stretching the leave out longer.
• During your leave, benefits typically do not accrue, and you cannot contribute to your 401(k) or medical flexible spending account.
• In most states, fathers and mothers are legally entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave when a baby is born or adopted. By law, pregnant women must be treated in the same manner as other persons with temporary disabilities for purposes of leave as well as participation in benefit plans and health and disability insurance.