Why does maternity leave suck in the US?
84850
Because in most corporate companies, your not seen as a "person", your seen as a robot, number, etc. Take your pick. That's why my hubby and I own our own business. When I had our son, I just stopped working! :)
496412
It really stinks that we don't have enough skilled workers. The skills shortage is the result of US policy and a lousy education systems that doesn't seek to fill the needs of the workforce. H-1B Visas hurt American workers and prevent the long term solution, which is to train American workers, from being implemented. The US Department of Labor does use H-1B fees to help pay for US worker training in skill shortage areas but its a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed. \n\nAs an example of how US domestic policy has helped create worker shortages, immigration problems  and funding for programs like social security and medicare in America one only needs to know that there have been over 48 million abortions since Roe V Wade in 1973.
863162
Well I'm doing my bit! (36 weeks pregnant with my first baby!)\n\nIt scares me to hear that we "need" immigrants because of an ageing population.  I've already seen East European immigrants monopolising the unskilled job market round here and leaving many skilled people unemployed or stuck in minimum wage jobs because immigrants do the skilled jobs for less.  I've seen immigrants being given social housing while British families are homeless.   I've heard Polish immigrants laughing and bragging in the pub about how they can make out like kings in the UK and how the Brits are "lazy" and they don't care if their presence here has a bad effect for jobs, housing etc.\n\nThe thought that the Government may use a low birth rate as an excuse to even further flood our country with the poor and needy of other nations and strain our resources even further fills me with dread.  I shudder to think what the UK will be like when my baby is an adult and looking for work.  By that time I think we might have emigrated - its probably the only chance we have of a decent life and well paid jobs.  Sad really as I love my country and resent being pushed out of it.
624023
The Europeans have it right.  That's how I wish work could be in the U.S.  Unfortunately, the US is driven by greed, which translates into longer work hours for more money so we can buy more toys that really don't make us happier.  Time with family is indeed the most important thing, but in the U.S. most businesses don't believe that. The most important thing is money and if that means driving your workers to death through overwork, that's okay.
1161217
Anita, I understand your frustration and anger.  I am a hard working mother of two and I would love to stay home with them--but I can't afford too.  I get so pissed of at people WHO ARE ABUSING THE SYSTEM---Abusing the system equals people who don't use birth control knowing that they can't financially afford to bring a child into this world.  That is ABUSE if you PLAN on using Medicaid and Welfare.  Even if it is only 2-6% of my taxes--that is MY MONEY!!!!! \n\nIf I know or find out that people (that I know) aren't reporting income or not reporting living with their Baby's daddy, or anyway lying to the medicaid/welfare office--I will turn your A$$ in so fast your head will spin.  Then you will have to pay back every penny!!!\n\nAnswer from "SHE" - you must be the bitter under-educated Abuser of the system.  Get a JOB.
520970
It's very hard to get a job when you're pregnant because they already know 1. you wont be around for long before you need alot of time off 2. They don't want to pay for maternity leave 3.They probably don't want to waste time training you because you might decide not to return after the baby. Keep trying though if that's what you really want, but are you going to want to put your baby in day care at only a few weeks old ?
92704
Generally not unless you have some contractual agreement.  Many states have what's called a "right to work" system which means that employers have the right to terminate your employment at anytime for any reason (as log it those reasons are not discriminatory).  On the flip side, the employee has the same right that they can leave at anytime with no foul.  A common example of this is when a woman leaves for maternity leave and enjoys benefits, like paid time off.  Then, at the end of the leave period she decides not to come back.  It happens all the time.  Employers generally don’t have much remedy here – and frankly it’s not good press to go after new mothers to try to recover anything.  As an employer I view this possibility as simply being a cost of business.  There are federal laws protecting pregnant women’s employment rights, so you have to give them leave and hope they come back. \n\nI would advise that you check out a couple of websites in your state if you live in the US.  Check out your state's government’s labor division - here in Texas it is called the Texas Workforce Commission.  Also check out your state's Attorney General's web page.    Both of these sites should have information specific to your area.  Also check out the US Department of Labor website – it has a lot of good information on your rights under the FMLA (federal medical leave act) as it defines employee rights and employer obligations under the law.\n\nGood luck.
302064
Because men do not see stay at home moms as working..And feel that if they get up go to work ect then they have the right to not work when they get home...\nYou can do what i did..hehehehe\nWhen my ex did that to me i sent him a bill.\nI put down in order all i did and a charge for that service next to it..ie:\nDishes...$10.00\nlaundry....$30.00\nCook.......&40.00\nect...ect..\nTell him look if you had to have someone to come in and do what i do you would have to pay them..Due to the fact that you cant help me( even it is to take the kids for a bit ) \nthen you will need to pay me for my services..\nIt worked!!!!!
1125862
I agree...it's pitiful that the minimum wage is so low. And I think it's disrespectful to the American people. And don't listen to Cali Beach Babe...she's a spoiled brat who's mommy and daddy does everything for her!
758074
Take your vacation and then leave.\n\nYour employer sucks.
996298
Well I'm a stay-at-home mom.  I miss working, I had a great job in the Navy that I really enjoyed but my son is more important.  I don't feel like I contribute as much because I don't earn a paycheck.  I know that what I'm doing is contributing (cleaning, cooking, organizing, paying bills, watching our son so we don't need daycare) but I still fell guilty.  I was going to start watching other children so as to earn money but I'm pregnant again so that's out the window (no one wants you to watch their baby when you're only going be able to do it for a short time).  It works for our family though and I cherish the fact that my son doesn't spend most of his waking hours with some stranger.
216792
You're so right about other people being paid to take care of your kids, but not you.\n\nWhat's happened is that the work that was traditionally done by women has continued to be undervalued.  That doesn't mean that feminism has failed or is to be blamed, it just means that more progress needs to be made.  Men and women both need to have choices about how to spend their time and how to care for their families, and those choices need to be recognized as having equal worth.  \n\nMany European countries offer a stipend to families just for having children--it's not an income dependent welfare program, it's just some help out.  I believe that caregivers should also be given credit in the Social Security system, because many women have nothing for retirement if they have spent any time caring for children or other family members.  Maternity and family leave should be paid and extend beyond six weeks.  \n\nBut somebody would have to pay for all these programs.  So don't blame feminists, blame the folks who won't pay taxes, who don't believe in government programs, or who won't pay decent prices for goods so that employers can pay a living wage to their employees.
631240
Check with your state's employment dept., but probably.  I believe employers are required to give you your job back, after returning from maternity leave, or give you a similar job at the same pay as when you left for maternity leave.  If you don't qualify for unemployment, perhaps you may have a lawsuit on your hands!
341608
We gave up a really good thing when we went for women rights.\n\nWe lost the right to be good mothers.  What's so good about having to work and not even having the choice to stay home most of the time?
373548
YES, My husband is in the military, and yes we do get good benefits, but we struggle to make it. We live paycheck to paycheck and that sucks.
867390
people like me can't get it. 3 kids and a husband that is disabled. i work my butt off for minimum wage. a job they say Americans wont do. but its all good. i survived this long. the govt don't seem to care about their own citizens in any country.
1004982
Not sure how it works there but over here if you get pregnant the state pays for i think 12 months leave from your job and you can take it when your lets say 6 months pregnant andstay off for the first half year of your daughters life. Then your entitled to vast benefits and some single mothers live ok just off their state benefits as a result. But if you feel bad about assisstance then just sign temporarily with your state office. In the US maybe there's a pregnancy advice centre or the County Welfare Office that you can go to or try South Carolina Advocates for Pregnant Women\n171 Church Street, Suite 160, Charleston, SC 29401\nPhone 843-720-3732, Fax 843-722-8250\nscapw@scapw.org\nor check \nhttp://www.state.sc.us/dss/fi/index.html for SC state welfare services. I only glanced at these but i hope it helps even just a little.(i'm prob stupid enough to have given you options you already knew though)\nAnd dont forget emotional and psychological aid, i'm there for ya ok.