Maternity Leave. How long is enough?

One of the most frequently asked questions through out the  pregnancy is maternity leave. Below are few list of questions regarding maternity leave:

• Is two months enough?
• When should I start to take the leave?
• Can I extend my maternity leave?
• As a dad (soon!), should I take paternity leave?
• What are my rights to take the maternity leave?
• Is maternity leave a paid leave or unpaid?

In this article, I hope to share what I have found and through my experience.

Is two months enough for the maternity leave?

My wife is working in a private company and the company allowed paid maternity leave for two (2) months. She has been asking her managers about it so that necessary arrangement and work handover can be done few weeks before the expected due date.

I suggested you to apply the leave at least 3 – 5 months before the expected due date.

When should I start to take the leave?

It really depends on the situation. If your wife can still walk and do simple tasks at the office, then the leave will start when the time comes. But at least, your wife need 40 days after the baby is born before she can start working. You have around 20 days buffer (considering you have 2 months, 60 days maternity leave).

Can I extend my maternity leave?

Yes, if it is signed by your manager But it may be an unpaid leave, which means your wife will not get any salary for that particular month. Personally, I think it is fair to give an extra care for the baby besides other arrangements such as day care, maid or full recovery.

Should I take paternity leave?

I personally think you should, for at least 10 days. Some company offer paternity leave as part of the work package and benefits. This time is crucial if your parents are far away. As a husband and dad, you will need to take care of everything since your wife is still weak and cannot move that much.

It would be handy if you can cook and learn how to take care of your baby.

What are my rights to take maternity leave?

The United Nations survey found that out of 152 countries only the country listed below did not have a national policy regarding paid maternity leave:

• United States
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Lesotho
• Switzerland
• Papua New Guinea

Otherwise, you can check on your company handbook regarding your rights to take the maternity leave. Normally, the Human Resource or People department will have this information in the company handbook.

Is maternity leave a paid or unpaid leave?

Maternity leave is a paid leave for an agreed time frame. Normally two months. Which means your wife will get her salary similar like she did the month before after deducting the retirement scheme, education loan repayment and income tax.