How to Decide How Much Time to Take Off - Ann Tropea
How much time does a birth parent typically need to heal from birth?
It depends! This is very specific to the birthing parent, and can include factors such as the type of birth, overall health/fitness pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy, and other physiological factors. Generally speaking, recovering from cesarean will take longer than recovery from a vaginal birth. But actual timelines are difficult to estimate. Some birthing parents are ready to leave the hospital/birthing center hours after a vaginal birth. Others may need several days, or several weeks following a cesarean to fully heal. The important thing is to listen to your body, and be gentle with yourself following the birth of your baby.
What are some ways a parent-to-be can balance personal and professional considerations when deciding how much time to take off?
Take some time to think about what your ideal parental leave time looks like. Make a list of everything that you would want, assuming you can have it all. Make a second list that includes everything you would be willing to negotiate if needed. Use these lists as guides for yourself when considering how to balance your needs with that of your employer.
What advice would you give to a parent (either birth and non-birth) who wants to take more time off but is worried about how it will affect their job?
Think about this as an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership skills and planning abilities to your employer. Present your upcoming parental leave as a positive for your employer by coming to the table not only with the potential challenges of your leave, but also with well thought out, workable solutions. You can position yourself as someone who is not only a team player, but also a leader and problem solver.
What are some creative ways a non-birth parent can structure their time off?
Non birth parents should think about how to maximize their leave time, while also making it seem like a win for their employers. For example, maybe 6 weeks of consecutive time off would be a hard sell for some employers, but it’s possible that suggesting alternating weeks of work/leave for 2 months is an attractive option. Or, maybe 1 day a week in the office is a great option to keep an eye on work and ongoing projects so that an extended leave period could be possible. Think about the specific challenges of your workplace, and come up with ways to mitigate or eliminate them when coming up with creative solutions. Leadership here not only helps you, but also everyone who comes after you.
What HR or government policies should parents be aware of when deciding how much time to take off?
Federal laws:
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (FEPLA) - for some federal employees
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Americans with Disabilities Act
Equal Pay Act
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)
State laws: Federal standards are the minimum required for covered employers, but your state may have additional laws that require more than the federal minimum.
HR: Familiarize yourself with your company’s HR policies by reading your employee handbook (if available), and asking questions for clarification when necessary. Try to ask your questions in writing, and make sure answers are also provided in writing to avoid any confusion in the event of a future dispute over policies.
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Author Ann Tropea is a senior writer at Career Valet.