6 months' paid leave for mum?

[bebe]

When I was working, I had a hard time telling my boss abt my pregnancy…and to assure her that I was equally capable of managing my work and family planning. I had to train my team to take on my roles when I was on maternity leave, kept my mobile on so that they could contact me. Clear my email daily so that I will not be flooded with email after 2 months…and also to keep abreast of the current affairs in the office…arranged couriers to send banking docs /cheques for my signatures 2-4 times per week.

When kids were older, they took turn to fall sick and how to inform boss last min that my kids had chicken pox, HFMD and I had to take urgent leaves…not 1-2 days, but at least 3-4 days??? And when PILs wanted to go travel, takes time off to go for medical appointment, I had to take leave again. Govt did provide childcare leave, but it is employer’s discretion to approve. While my boss approved upfront, I suffered during my annual appraisal (for topping the chart being the employer with the highest number of MCs (cos taking turn to fall sick when kids were down with HFMD and chix pox). But I did not feel good that I had to rely on my colleagues and subordinates to make adjustment too. I felt I was not fairly treated at work and decided to quit -so much for spending 6yrs in the same company.

I did part time subsequently but it was no honeymoon - part time pay with full time responsibility…and then I did freelance (till now)…and I found that fairly manageable. But then I was lucky that my family did not need me for financial support…and my timing is flexible to adjust to different needs of my 3 kids…and my work partner is also a working mum who quit to do her own freelancing.

While I did not expect govt to support my family planning, it takes a whole society to change the mindset of employing mothers. In fact, most women would want to have babies, be it 1 or 2. It is how much time and energy we can afford to deal with the daily family and work affairs.

[concern2]

bebe:

When I was working, I had a hard time telling my boss abt my pregnancy..and to assure her that I was equally capable of managing my work and family planning. I had to train my team to take on my roles when I was on maternity leave, kept my mobile on so that they could contact me. Clear my email daily so that I will not be flooded with email after 2 months..and also to keep abreast of the current affairs in the office...arranged couriers to send banking docs /cheques for my signatures 2-4 times per week.

When kids were older, they took turn to fall sick and how to inform boss last min that my kids had chicken pox, HFMD and I had to take urgent leaves..not 1-2 days, but at least 3-4 days??? And when PILs wanted to go travel, takes time off to go for medical appointment, I had to take leave again. Govt did provide childcare leave, but it is employer's discretion to approve. While my boss approved upfront, I suffered during my annual appraisal (for topping the chart being the employer with the highest number of MCs (cos taking turn to fall sick when kids were down with HFMD and chix pox). But I did not feel good that I had to rely on my colleagues and subordinates to make adjustment too. I felt I was not fairly treated at work and decided to quit -so much for spending 6yrs in the same company.

I did part time subsequently but it was no honeymoon - part time pay with full time responsibility..and then I did freelance (till now)..and I found that fairly manageable. But then I was lucky that my family did not need me for financial support...and my timing is flexible to adjust to different needs of my 3 kids...and my work partner is also a working mum who quit to do her own freelancing.

While I did not expect govt to support my family planning, it takes a whole society to change the mindset of employing mothers. In fact, most women would want to have babies, be it 1 or 2. It is how much time and energy we can afford to deal with the daily family and work affairs.

:goodpost: And bebe, you are not alone.

[buds]

:hugs: Definitely not, bebe.. I've personally been in your shoes. :hugs:

[LOLMum]

Namie:

When I saw this proposal, my heart sank. My partner at work is due to deliver at year end and already my boss told me I am not allowed to take leave or MC during the time she is on maternity leave and until she is back. She is taking the whole 4 months + her annual leave + a few more days no pay leave. I have to cover all her work. Both of us work till 8-9pm every day so I might as well sleep in office during the time she is away. My boxes told me I can get a sleeping bag to catch up sleep during lunch. Now 6 mths!


Work-life for pregnant women. What about other co-workers?

We are working in a major government agency.

And if you are single, you are not supposed (unwritten rule in my sis's place) to take leave during the school holidays. These are meant for parents to spend time with the kids.

[yippee]

Strongly agreed to have more childcare leave for P1 to P6 kids.

[icequeen]

my wish list would be more child care subsidy by the govt instead. the child care centre my son is in raised their fees by $100!

[sleepy]

More than a decade ago...


Shortly after I returned from my studies, I went for an interview at a medium size company. A male interviewer asked me. 'Are you married?' I replied 'not yet.' And he immediately threw me a disdained look & said 'so you planning to get married? Then you will be busy with wedding preparations.' I think he was more interested in my possible wedding plans :siao: than my capablities and qualifications.

As expected, I didn't get the job. Not that I would ever work for people with this sort of mentality in a millon year anyway. Fortunately I received 8 other job offers (bloom time then!) and none of the other hirers asked me that stupid irrelevant question.

My point is employers who harbour this sort of mentality, not to mention 6 months maternity, even planning to get married as well as married yet to have kids interviewees will be discriminated. They can just refused to hire this group of job seekers (with the looming possiblity of paying for their maternity). And there's no way to prove discrimination since they can simply said this group of job seekers' experience are not suitable for the role they are hiring.

[limlim]

Why would an employer want a "highly capable" person who is "NOT Around" for 50% of the time in a year?


No matter how capable you are, it is useless if you can’t "work".

[Funz]

LOLMum:

And if you are single, you are not supposed (unwritten rule in my sis's place) to take leave during the school holidays. These are meant for parents to spend time with the kids.

I do have this arrangement with my staff. Those with school going kids will get priority when they apply for leave during the school holidays. Muslim staff gets priority during Hari Raya, Hindu staff during deepavali, Chinese during CNY.

[sleepy]

During my time, it was merely 2 months maternity. And I didn't even get any maternity for 2nd child since I already quit my job to stay home during 2nd pregnancy. Lugi le


Anyway, this 6 months maternity is a double edge sword. This will never work. For both employers and employees.

Perhaps it might be more feasible to introduce a bond, somewhat like an agreement to stay in same company for another 2 years after returning from maternity. Otherwise, which employer would have to risk writing off that 6 months salary. When my brother got a scholarship to study overseas, he also signed a 2 year bond to work for the same company upon returning. Similar concept la.

With that 'bond', probably mums to be would face less discrimination and employers also feel more reassured that it's not money down the drain? Of course, there's still the very practical issue who will covering the duties while madam is on maternity.