As you plan your maternity leave, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
- How long do I want to continue working before the baby is due?
- Do I want or need to take time off towards the end of my pregnancy?
- Does my job expose me to health hazards or require excessively long hours?
- Am I at risk for preterm labor?
- After the baby is born, do I plan to return to work? When?
- Am I able to adjust my work schedule in terms of working fewer days a week, or fewer hours in the day? Is flex-time or job-sharing an option?
- Can I afford to do what I want in terms of my maternity leave?
As you plan your maternity leave, it is important to become familiar with your rights. Both the State of California and the Federal government have Family and Medical Leave Acts, which contain your rights and restrictions related to time off with a new baby.
Early in your pregnancy, investigate and discuss your planned leave with your employer. It is important to have an agreement with your employer in writing before you begin your maternity leave.
Contact your Human Resource or Personnel representative to determine if you qualify for state or employer disability payments. Appropriate forms are usually available through your employer or by contacting the California State Disability Claims office.