New mom bonus--why don't we have this?!

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/17/insurance-australia-group-maternity-leave_n_1431818.html?ir=Parents&ref=topbar

[ladymoreta]

I wonder if it actually works, though. Or if too many would come back just for those six weeks and then quit. It seems like by the time they have a baby, most women know whether or not they're going to stay at home or go back to work.

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

I was wondering that too...but I assume there are some rules built in (like how some companies require you to stay a year to keep your signing bonus or you have to repay it).

[ladymoreta]

Good point. I think it's a great idea. I just hate how most maternity leave here is unpaid. It's so not fair to new moms. It almost makes me resentful that they're getting a bonus on top of paid leave. Not that I'm not happy for them, but I'm even more ticked at our system now...

[SoonerTexan]

I don't think things will change in the US until we have the birth rate problems Europe has.

[HouseofWool]

I don't think things will change in the US until we have the birth rate problems Europe has.

And until we have the unemployment and education problems straightened out, this won't happen.

[SoonerTexan]

Isn't it funny how one nation's problem is a measure of success somewhere else? Cant have it all

[BonBon]

I wonder if it actually works, though. Or if too many would come back just for those six weeks and then quit. It seems like by the time they have a baby, most women know whether or not they're going to stay at home or go back to work.

Yeah, I had a friend take her 6 weeks paid maternity leave...and when it was said "by the way, I'm not coming back." Unethical, imo.

[ladymoreta]

Oh I don't see it coming from the government, ever. But if companies like the one in this article start showing good returns, maybe some US companies will pick up the practice. Maybe that's just wishful thinking...

[BonBon]

Something like this shouldn't come from the gov't...but if companies wanted to offer it, it sure would be a nice selling point to get qualified ladies in the door.

[SoonerTexan]

At my company you are responsible for paying the employer's portion of the insurance back if you chose not to return to work.

As far as leaving to become a full time mom...when is an acceptable time? I'd say quite a few moms don't realize they want to stay home (or return to work) until after the baby has arrived. Do you just quit while you are out? (and hormone riddled and may regret the decision later?) Come back for a month and tie up loose ends? (but then you might be disturbing a hard-won breastfeeding relationship?) Probably a different debate. Something I've thought a lot about, though.

[oceanchild]

As far as leaving to become a full time mom...when is an acceptable time? I'd say quite a few moms don't realize they want to stay home (or return to work) until after the baby has arrived. Do you just quit while you are out? (and hormone riddled and may regret the decision later?) Come back for a month and tie up loose ends? (but then you might be disturbing a hard-won breastfeeding relationship?) Probably a different debate. Something I've thought a lot about, though.

I was thinking that too. I don't want to make that decision until I've actually seen what it's like to be home with a child.

ETA - I don't get paid maternity leave, only short-term disability and whatever annual/sick leave I've saved.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I've thought about it a lot too. I feel I owe at least 6 months for my 12 week leave. That's just my personal opinion but I would have returned at least a portion of my pay had I decided not to return. I agree you can't always know until you have the baby but I think you can't take a paid leave and then decide not to return.

[SoonerTexan]

I think you could make equally compelling cases that maternity leave is earned by the work you did prior to the leave or after the leave. Or you could view it as a benefit that isn't "earned" in any way. For me, it was technically disability leave, which I pay into monthly, though the amount is extremely nominal.

I have a lot of thoughts, ramblings, fears, and what ifs about the subject, but they aren't really relevant right now and probably not best for a public forum.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I think you could make equally compelling cases that maternity leave is earned by the work you did prior to the leave or after the leave. Or you could view it as a benefit that isn't "earned" in any way. For me, it was technically disability leave, which I pay into monthly, though the amount is extremely nominal.

I have a lot of thoughts, ramblings, fears, and what ifs about the subject, but they aren't really relevant right now and probably not best for a public forum.

But they wouldn't pay you it if you told them you weren't coming back. I would like to think it's earned by my prior work but the reality is that companies do it so you come BACK, not as a thank you.

I'm with you on the thoughts and ramblings...