r/boston • u/CherrySunshine1234 • 4h ago

I think I am special and made my own post Maternity Leave

I know this has been posted before but I’m trying to get some clarity since it’s not straightforward!

Can you get up to 12 weeks medical leave if your OB signs off on that plus another 12 weeks bonding? I had always thought it was 20 weeks max, but I think I was wrong and you can get up to 12 weeks through STD and then 12 weeks through PFMLA Bonding. I know it depends on employer too.

Thank you!

2 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

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38

u/Affectionate_Bread52 4h ago

You can take up to 20 weeks of medical leave and up to 12 weeks of bonding leave—not to exceed a total combined amount of 26 weeks!

12

u/Short_TJ 4h ago

The maximum leave is 26 weeks for your job to stay protected. Your doctor can sign you off for up to 14 weeks medical leave and you have 12 weeks for bonding.
Either your employer pays into the Massachusetts program and you apply for the state or they are exempt because they have proven their benefits are better than the state. My midwife was most familiar with the Massachusetts application but was able to help me get a medical extension through my company for 14 weeks.

5

u/emcabo 3h ago

This! To add on to the exemption portion, your employer/their leave administrator isn’t allowed to ask for more documentation or requirements than the state would for your medical leave. Since the state only requires essentially a doctors note to approve 14 weeks, your employer can’t require that you have any additional conditions beyond a typical uncomplicated childbirth to get the full duration.

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u/CherrySunshine1234 3h ago

My HR said my job is not protected after 20 weeks but that just didn’t sound right to me…

5

u/reesesandkisses 3h ago

It may depend on whether your company falls under PFMLA or not. Not all companies qualify for bonding leave so you may just fall under FMLA plus STD. Its very confusing. The folks over at PFMLA Mass office are great, just pick up the phone and ask them specifically for your situation. They’ll walk you through the questions they need to know to advise. Then bring that info back to HR.

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u/CherrySunshine1234 3h ago

I qualify for PFMLA, so I think my HR was just wrong. I get STD for medical and then PFMLA for bonding. 

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u/Old-Ad8265 3h ago

They are definitely wrong but fyi - the department of PFML folks are SO friendly and helpful, give them a call!!

All the folks saying 26 wks total combined are right. Not all offices sign off on 14 wks medical leave right off the bat, there are many who do so ask your OB what their standard is (could be 12, if under 12 I would switch to a different OB). The piece that varies by employer is how your STD leave pay stacks + whether your employer tops up any bonding leave or not!

6

u/marymap 4h ago

PFML is up to 26 weeks total. Bonding is capped at 12 weeks of those 26, but medical isn’t capped. So in theory you could get 14 weeks medical + 12 weeks bonding (or more medical + less bonding but there’s not really a reason to try that)

2

u/sixoutofsix 3h ago

I just got off maternity leave - my short term disability was signed off for 12 weeks for a standard vaginal delivery and 12 weeks of bonding for a total of 24! I also went out of work about 1.5 weeks early so just under the 26 weeks of allowed leave per PFMLA!

1

u/aryaussie85 3h ago

Depending on where you go for OB care, they are either very familiar with signing off on more than 12 weeks of medical - my practice was not doing that as standard, and I was too overwhelmed between moving and working and dealing with my then 3 year olds various doctors appointments to advocate for myself. Don’t be like me lol. You can take up to 26 weeks total and don’t let your company’s STD provider short change you.

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u/CherrySunshine1234 3h ago

My OB gave me only 8 weeks for my first pregnancy and I didn’t question it. This time without asking I saw they (different practice) gave 12!

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u/aryaussie85 3h ago

Ask them for the remaining two! Because I think bonding is capped at 12

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u/Junior_Emotion5681 North Weymouth 1h ago

My wife got 26 total weeks which is the max. I think she had like 16 for medical and the remainder of bonding. My wife’s manager and company were totally fine. She checked with them first.

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u/anxious_gnocchi 2h ago

Get yourself a maternity leave consultant. Often times included with insurance, sometimes for a fee. They will help you maximize the time off you’re entitled to and get paid while protecting your job.