Tell Us Your Story About Maternity, Paternity, or Family Leave
Personal stories make a huge difference when we’re talking to legislators. Tales of parents who have to choose between being there for their newborn children or sick family members, or losing days or weeks of needed pay, can pull the heartstrings of the Representatives who can make paid family leave happen.
Please share your story using the “Add a Comment” form below.
We’ll contact you to let you know about additional opportunities to have your story heard.
14 Comments
I have been working as a pharmacist for a big chain and had to take disability 2 weeks before the birth of my son due to inability to stand 12 hour shifts. My son was born 9 days overdue which all counted toward my 12 weeks allowed on maternity leave. My boss gave me a hard time at the end of my pregnancy not giving me the 12 hour days off (given with MD note) and threatening to remove me from current position. When I finally had a baby and informed my supervisor that I will be returning from maternity leave exactly when my son is 3 months, he informed me that I no longer will be holding same position as before since I already overstayed my 12 weeks allowed by the law. I am very distressed my the way I am being treated by my superior and ashamed to know that my country cannot provide better support for its mothers who produce its country’s future. I wish to fight to improve the lives of women in America and that would also include my daughter who is 7 yo now and whom I do not wish to make same sacrifices and choices I am faced with when having a baby in our country. We need to extend the FMLA to a reasonable 6 months to a year mark and we need that change NOW!!! New mothers cannot wait and our children cannot wait for their mother’s love! What can I do to make a difference ?
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Anita Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:34 am
@Irene- Thank you so much for sharing your story. That makes a difference! Legislators, corporate leaders and others in positions of power benefit from hearing real stories from constituents. Sharing your story here on the blog helps others see that none of us are alone in this. Joining MomsRising and the movement for families is a powerful step to creating more family-friendly policies in this country.
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I am 34 weeks pregnant and got laid of from work after 5 and a half years without any severance package just my 2 weeks of vacation that I had unpaid, and the promise from the employer to pay for my insurance until 10/31/2010.
I was informed that the FMLA act does not apply to this company since we were only 12 employees.
I am the only provider of my household since my husband is disable and he cant’ work yet.
My employer was going to pay me 8 weeks of maternity leave which was stablished since they were aware of my pregnancy.
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