Planning for maternity leave can feel overwhelming, especially with all the different benefits, acronyms, and regulations to navigate. Understanding your rights and making the right choices can help ensure that you get the time off and financial support you deserve. In this blog, I’ll share four key tips to help you maximize your maternity leave while avoiding common pitfalls.
1. Know the Difference Between Paid and Unpaid Leave
One of the biggest sources of confusion is the difference between paid and unpaid leave. Unpaid leave—also known as job protection—ensures that your employer must hold your job (or an equivalent position) for you while you’re on leave. In contrast, paid leave provides wage replacement, typically covering 70-90% of your salary while you’re out. In California, some maternity leave benefits run concurrently, meaning you’ll have both job protection and wage replacement at the same time.
2. Check Your Eligibility for Benefits
Not everyone qualifies for all maternity leave benefits, so it’s important to understand what you’re eligible for. Pregnancy itself qualifies birthing parents for Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), which provides paid leave for pregnancy-related disability and childbirth recovery. Non-birthing parents (including dads, adoptive parents, and those using surrogacy) may also qualify for paid bonding leave. However, the key factor in determining eligibility for California’s paid benefits is whether you’re paying into CA SDI through payroll tax deductions. If you’re unsure, check your pay stub for deductions labeled “CA SDI,” “CASDI,” or “DI”—this is your golden ticket to paid maternity leave!
3. Consider Extending Your Leave
Many moms don’t realize that, with extensions, maternity leave can go up to seven months with pay and job protection – and in some unique circumstances, up to 12 months! Every situation is unique, and factors like the type of delivery and your personal recovery can impact your options. It’s important to understand the process of filing extensions, ensuring you meet the correct deadlines to maximize your time off. If you feel like you need more time, remember: you’ve been paying into this benefit with every paycheck, so it’s there for you when you need it.
4. Communicate Your Maternity Leave Plans in Writing
One of the most important things you can do is document your maternity leave plans, return-to-work date, and any agreements with your employer in writing. Verbal agreements can be forgotten or disputed later. Having everything clearly outlined in writing ensures you’re protected and helps prevent misunderstandings. It also strengthens your legal standing if any issues arise regarding your leave benefits or job security.
Maternity leave is a crucial time for recovery and bonding with your baby, and navigating the process correctly can make a huge difference in your journey. By understanding your benefits, confirming eligibility, considering extensions, and putting everything in writing, you can set yourself up for a long paid maternity leave.
If you need personalized guidance, check out our Maternity Leave workshop. We’re here to help you maximize your time off and pay!
