how to deny maternity leave extension

[Anonymous]

What's "several" additional weeks, OP? Two or seven? Makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

You're a shitty employer. Let the woman take her leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're a shitty employer. Let the woman take her leave.

Obvious troll is obvious.

[Anonymous]

Hire men and never deal with issues like these again

[Anonymous]

I was allowed 12 weeks and asked my HR department and they said if your not back on x date we put you on COBRA. I got the picture.

[Anonymous]

Can she bring the baby in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can she bring the baby in?

Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't your policy require people to use accrued vacation time for maternity leave? I thought that was standard. I'd give a week or two max, but that's it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend a phone call and then documenting in email. I'm assuming others also have to get vacation requests approved, like you wouldn't let 3 people be out the same week.


"Jane, unfortunately I'm not able to accommodate the timing and length of that vacation request. You of course are entitled to use your vacation time, but the timing has to be approved to fit with the nerds of the business and the rest of the team's schedule. I have a couple of ideas for how we could find a schedule that works for everyone, but it would be really helpful to know what made you request the extended leave. That way maybe we can find a solution that works for everyone."

Then see her reaction. I'm thinking you could:
- Offer her to use them in partial days
- Offer an ease in period of working 2 days the first week, 3 days the next week, 4 days the week after that, etc
- Give her the windows of time it will work for her to take vacation
- let her go "part time" for several weeks, maybe working 3 or 4 days a week

Try to get to the root of her issue. She may be having child care issues, but has something lined up for 3 weeks from now. That will mean a different option will be appealing to her than if she is just trying to use up her vacation time before she quits vs if the baby has some doctors appointments vs if her spouse is traveling for work vs she just wants a longer time off and so on.

This is a wonderfully thoughtful response, especially by DCUM standards.

[Anonymous]

Let her have the time off.

it sounds like the problem is that she mentioned using her vacation time,
would you feel the same way if it was unpaid leave? In that case, would she still need the same type of approval as vacation? Can you hire someone temporarily until she returns?

Also, have you ever had a Baby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let her have the time off.

it sounds like the problem is that she mentioned using her vacation time,
would you feel the same way if it was unpaid leave? In that case, would she still need the same type of approval as vacation? Can you hire someone temporarily until she returns?

Also, have you ever had a Baby?

Responses like this are so clueless. Where is the line? She already got FAR more than most women get even at big companies, let alone at a small company. What if she wanted 6 months off?

Have you ever had a baby is sucj an insulting question. This is about business, not creating a social safety net for new mothers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let her have the time off.

it sounds like the problem is that she mentioned using her vacation time,
would you feel the same way if it was unpaid leave? In that case, would she still need the same type of approval as vacation? Can you hire someone temporarily until she returns?

Also, have you ever had a Baby?

NP, but I've had two - and I returned from my paid maternity leaves when I said I would. In a small office, she can't be covered indefinitely.

OP - she's not coming back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wow! I also work at a small company and only got 6 weeks and paid 1/2 my salary, which was generous b/c my boss didnt have to cover anything. I then used 2 weeks vacation which I told him upfront so he knew I would be gone 8 weeks total.

I think you need to document everything in writing. Could you make her an offer to take 1 more week but then do 1/2 weeks or something like that?

You should look for another job. I can't imagine. The job market is tight for talented people. I want my employees back. I need their loyalty and it takes too long to find good people. No, your boss doesn't have to cover anything, but damn, I don't want my employees job hunting, which is definitely what I would be doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let her have the time off.

it sounds like the problem is that she mentioned using her vacation time,
would you feel the same way if it was unpaid leave? In that case, would she still need the same type of approval as vacation? Can you hire someone temporarily until she returns?

Also, have you ever had a Baby?

Responses like this are so clueless. Where is the line? She already got FAR more than most women get even at big companies, let alone at a small company. What if she wanted 6 months off?

Have you ever had a baby is sucj an insulting question. This is about business, not creating a social safety net for new mothers.

Then what big company? As a professional, most companies offer 12 weeks now. I've been in banking, finance and law. I now work at a nonprofit and we even give 12 weeks. It's a crapshoot. Women in the US work less than in other developed countries. We need women to grow the economy. One of the reasons women work less is b/c in the US has such poor maternity leave policies. It was literally on the WSJ podcast today.

Now, when my employees come back, I don't want to hear about child care issues. I really don't. I give the time needed upfront, but my expectation is that when you are back, you are back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bet she never comes back. I would start looking to replace her. ~Another small business owner

+1

+2. She isn't coming back and is soaking your already generous plan. I despise women that do this. It makes all of us look bad and breeds contempt and distrust anytime a woman announces her pregnancy. See pp saying don't hire women.
That said, deny it. Saying that it's the unfair to her colleagues and vacation is scheduled and approved well in advance for equanimity.
Signed,
Professional Woman and a Mother.