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since we're on a maternity leave kick
I received two options for maternity leave from HR today, and I am STOKED. I get more time off than I thought I did!
I won't go over the first option, as it's unworkable for us - it gives me 12 months of full leave, but 141 days of that are unpaid (the rest is on part time salary) and unfortunately, we simply can't swing that.
So the second option is looking like the winner to me - here's what I get (the dates are roughly right, although may be changed):
First, maternity leave (6/4/2010 ? 18/10/2010) - this is 6 months of leave at half salary (this is all I thought I was getting)
Then work part time (19/10/2010 ? 11/7/2011) - after the maternity leave is up, I can return to work for only part time but still be paid my full salary*
Finally, return to work full time (12/7/2011)
*The length of time I can do this is flexible, and functions on a sliding scale depending on how many hours a week I return to work - e.g., if I came back to work for:
3.5 days per week (70%), I'd get full salary for 38 weeks
3 days per week (60%), I'd get full salary for 30 weeks
2.5 days per week (50%), I'd get full salary for 24 weeks
2 days per week (40%), I'd get full salary for 20 weeks
So basically, we just need to figure out how long we want me to be home for after the initial 6 month period. Of course it would be nice to take the longest option, but - for example - would it be easier/cheaper to arrange childcare for only 3 days per week vs 3.5, thus going with the 30 hours per week option? Or would it be nicer to only work 2 days a week and spend more time at home with the twins, even if it was for a shorter duration before starting back to work full time?
My goal is to work this out before Christmas - no real reason why, other than it would be nice to start the New Year with a Super Awesome Maternity Plan in place. And you all know me - I'm a planner. 
Of course Ben and I are going to have a chat (or two...or three...) about this, but since I like clicky polls: what do you think you'd pick in my place?
Re: since we're on a maternity leave kick
I voted 3 days a week part time. That extra half day will be a pain in the bum (unless you can get a friend/relative to take them for that half day).
Also, 3 days is that good middle ground. Yes, it'd be excellent if you could get away with working 2 days a week, if you got the same benefit as the 3.5 but...that unfortunately isn't on the table.
The twins (I was about to say the girls...ohhhhh...am I going back on my pirate prediction?) will settle in better too if they do 2-3 days a week...as opposed to 1.
5 days full time is too much, but thats MY own personal feeling about it and everyone is different with what they feel is too much.
Good deal re. the options hon. That's gotta feel good?
Althoughhhh...
Looked at your options again and reconsidered. If you can swing it so that someone that you know can look after the twins for that half day (instead of having to pay a full day of daycare for only getting a half day in return), it might just be feasible for you to seriously consider the 3.5 day option.
I say that because you only have to give a little (an extra half day) in return for a full 2 months extra. That's not bad.
Basically, it means a split-down-the-middle ratio of having the babies in care 3.5 days of the week and having them be with you the other 3.5 days. Again, not terrible.
I also voted 3 days/week for 30 weeks. For two reasons:
1) It may be easier for you to find a good, reliable childcare provider if you can offer at least 3 full days a week. They'll be more willing to "commit" especially if after the 30 weeks of part-time you plan to go to a full 5 days a week with them.
2) Depending upon your job's flexibility you could do you three days in the middle of the week...Tues, Wed and Thurs and basically have 4 day weekends with Ben and the babies. That's two days a week that you and Ben can share baby duties (I am assuming he's not working on the weekends) and only two days a week where you'll be totally on-you-own (which I can only imagine would be overwhelming with two young babies).
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I voted for 3 days, but if I could swing 2 days @ 40%, I would probably prefer that.
With all of that said...that is the best maternity plan I have ever heard of! Is that the norm for Australia or is that just your company's policy?
Wow, nice maternity leave options
So I took a mathematical approach to this by calculating total # of days you'd have to work, total # of days you'd get paid full salary, and total # days you get paid for *not* working
3.5 => work 133 days, salary 190 days, paid 57 days of no work
3 => work 90 days, salary 150 days, paid 60 days of no work
2.5 => work 60 days, salary 120 days, paid 60 days of no work
2 => work 40 days, salary 100 days, paid 60 days of no work
So bang for the buck-wise, 2 days wins because you only have to work 40 days to get paid another 60 days without working. BUT of course, life is not a formula.
So IMO, it really depends on how long you'd like to be part-time for (the longer the better?) and how high that priority is to you. IF it were ME (and I actually liked my job), then I'd probably go PT for as long as possible because I prefer being more of a SAHM and/or only PT work and I *really* do not want to go FT before the kids are in school. But that's just me.
I remember you mentioned in your post/poll about SAHM/PT/FT that you want to work. So if you're able and willing to go back to work FT as soon as possible (and your 6mo leave is already 2 times longer than FMLA in the U.S.), then the 2 day option is pretty good, considering the bang for the buck compared to the other options. So based on your answer in the poll about working, I voted for the 2 days/wk option
wow I wish maternity was this good here in the US! if you can manage to work on the weekends when Ben is home (not sure if that is an option), then you'd see him less but you'd also have to spend less on daycare and then you could possibly do the 3.5 day option and only have to pay for 1.5 days of childcare.... or you could do the 2 day option which apparently gives you the most 'bang for your buck' and not pay for childcare at all... you'd get to see Ben less, only in the evenings... but it would be only for a few months.... not sure if that's something you'd consider or if you'd prefer to have Ben there to help you w/the LOs b/c i know twins will be a handful
in any case, i picked the 3 day option just b/c finding a 1/2 day of daycare could be tricky
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
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This is a good question. The answer is...maybe. In my job, we have a lot of part time workers - in fact, I'm one of only two employees (other than supervisors/managers) in my department that is full time. So it kind of depends on how that mid-week schedule would work in with already established schedules. If everything remained the exact same as it is now (which it may, but may not since someone is retiring next August), I would probably need to work the second half of the week, as Fridays are the days we're lowest on staff. Oh and no, Ben doesn't work weekends unless he's on call - but then he just brings the IT cellphone home with him.
Both. In Australia, you are currently granted 52 weeks of unpaid maternity leave (that's changing next Jan, when it will have 18 weeks of maternity leave paid at minimum wage added on - or possibly deducted from the 52 weeks of unpaid, I'm not sure). So I'm allowed to be away, with my job protected, for an entire year, regardless of where I work.
The fact that my company chooses to pay AND offers a generous back-to-work deal during that period of time is solely the company policy. It's also one that I'd be very unlikely to receive if I worked in the private sector instead of for a large government organization. I'm not sure why they have this policy instead of just allowing you to take unpaid leave (as I'm sure most companies in Australia choose to do), unless they're trying to set some kind of example. But regardless, I'm certainly not questioning it lol!
I was aware that there was an option to return to work part time but be paid for full time, but I'd gotten the impression that it was only available if you returned to work within 12 weeks - so I'm pretty happy to find out that's not the case!
This is what I was initially leaning toward, but I'm kind of hesitant. I know my MIL would say yes in heartbeat, but she and FIL also like to travel (hey, they're retired, I think it's great!) and he also has some health problems that occasionally require a trip to Sydney or several days in the hospital...so although I know I could easily get that half day covered, I'm not totally sure of how reliable that coverage would be. I'm guessing we'd probably only lose the half day every two months or so, which is still pretty good, but I have other concerns as well - like a house that is nowhere near childsafe (and is unlikely to be made so), and a Jack Russell that has the run of the house (and is rather bitey). So...I just don't know.
Unfortunately, this would be a no-go at my current job. We are open on Sundays (not Saturdays), but we have dedicated staff that work those days. We're also not open on Sundays all year round, just when the school semesters are in session. Otherwise, that might be a cool option!
Lisa - this is great news!
I would lean towards the 3 or 3.5 day option (most likely the 3 day).
One thing to think about - my friend has her toddler in day care for a half day each week. During these half days she tries to do all her running around and house keeping that is difficult to do when he's around. I'm not sure what day cares are like around you so this might not be an option. I know it would be tough where we are because I'd probably have to pay for a full day to secure my spot. Plus the twins will still be babes so your situation is different that with her toddler, but I thought I'd through the idea out there.
Let us know what you decide.
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