25% of American women back at work 2 wks after giving birth

[ttt]

This is appalling. It underscores why maternity leave is not a middle class issue, as some have said. It's working-class women who need mandatory paid leave the most. 


www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nearly-1-in-4-new-mothers-return-to-work-less-than-2-weeks-after-giving-birth_us_55d308aae4b0ab468d9e3e37


While high-end firms that employ the most well-educated and well-paid U.S. workers compete in a benefits arms race, too many working women are forced to skimp or skip out on maternity leave because of the United States’ lack of paid leave policy, a new analysis of data from the Department of Labor makes clear.

Nearly 1 in 4 new mothers surveyed by the department in 2012 were back at work within just two weeks of having a new baby, according to an analysis conducted by researchers at Abt Associates for an investigative feature in In These Times, published Tuesday morning.

The researchers looked at a survey of 2,852 workers who took leave in 2012, honing in on the 93 women who took time off to care for a new baby. Of those women, nearly 12 percent took a week or less; another 11 percent took between one and two weeks off, according to the analysis. Among college graduates, longer leaves ruled the day: Eighty percent of the women who took at least six weeks leave had a degree. Only 54 percent of women without a degree were able to do so.

“Talking to women in this situation was just heartbreaking,” journalist Sharon Lerner, author of the In These Times piece and a senior fellow at Demos, told reporters on a conference call Tuesday afternoon. A full-time waitress working more than 60 hours a week told Lerner that when her son was just 4 weeks old, she would come home exhausted and sleep with one hand on her baby because that’s the only connection she could get.

The report highlights the gaping rift between the country’s have and have-not parents. This year, a growing number of companies that employ mostly well-educated white-collar workers have beefed up their leave benefits, including Adobe, Microsoft, Nestle, Vodafone, Goldman Sachs and Blackstone.

“The highest-paid workers are most likely to have [paid leave],” writes Lerner in the piece. “More than 1 in 5 of the top 10 percent of earners are getting paid family leave, compared to 1 in 20 in the bottom quartile.”

The U.S. is the only major country on the globe that offers no paid time off for new mothers, placing a terrible burden on these women, their families and the country.

The consequences of returning to work so soon are devastating for new mothers and their families — economically, emotionally and physically. Mothers who return to work so early are plagued with depression and less likely to breastfeed their children. Their children can suffer developmentally, the feature notes. Researchers have even found a correlation between the amount of leave a new mother takes and infant mortality rates. Those forced to quit their jobs often turn to public benefits that are scarce and stingily doled out.

The In These Times piece shines a heartbreaking light on what happens when these women return to work too soon.

One mother opens up about crying in the parking lot, on a break from a 12-hour factory shift, as she pumps milk for her infant. A Chase bank manager said she was forced to quit her job because she needed to take a 12-week leave to care for her premature infant.

Just last week, another Wall Street firm announced what Bloomberg News called a “gilded” perk for new mothers. Private equity firm KKR & Co. said it would pay for nannies to travel with new mothers and their babies. The firm, founded by billionaires Henry Kravis and George Roberts, also upped the amount of leave it gives KKR parents from 12 weeks to 16 weeks, and started a “transition support” program to reintegrate new parents returning from leave.

Meanwhile, the Family Act, a bill that would offer federally mandated paid leave to new parents, has so far gone nowhere in Congress. However, the two leading Democratic presidential candidates support it, and some Republicans are even starting to come around on the issue.

As Lerner points out, it’s hard to argue against the strong moral case in favor of paid leave, “to which there is no politically sound retort: Families need paid time off to take care of their new babies. Men, women and children will gain from this basic human dignity.”

[simpsongal]

Free market! That is heartbreaking. NPR did a piece on this recently and there were a lot of small business contributors hoping their states would begin a parental leave program.

[rupertpenny]

I'm not really sure why people thought this was just a middle class problem in the first place? I'm not at all surprised that the women with the highest paying jobs had the best maternity leave.

[bittybomb]

I work in a small firm with no paid maternity leave. When I had my second and third we still wanted to keep our nanny. While it wasn't a concrete plan set in stone either time, I started working again on a part-time basis, and from home, when they were both about 4 weeks old. I was fortunate though that I didn't "have to" return to work then and it was absolutely my choice (though partially justified by having to pay our nanny and it felt wrong to do so while I wasn't bringing any income in), and I didn't return full time to the office until about 12 weeks both times.

[taratru]

My oldest was born on a Sunday, and I was back at school the next Monday - 8 days later. I had no leave days accrued and we were broke teachers. I took my 8 day old to daycare. Awesome.

[auntie]

My parents and I grabbed dinner a few weeks ago. Our server was on her first day back, a mere 10 days after delivery. My dad, who is often inappropriate, asked her about kids and she burst into tears. I felt so badly for her.

I suspect a number of moms working in higher paid positions also have the option of working from home to some degree as well.

[sunshineandpinot]

I was back in my office 7 days after giving birth, with my 7 day old. I work for a small small family owned company (my family's company) and there is literally no one else who can do my job. Granted I had the flexibility of bringing my baby and I certainly started back part time.... it is what it is. My job had to get done.

[claudiajean]

I had to piece together care for my first child because I was required to be back at work before he was old enough for any daycares to accept him.

We can do better and we need to do better.

[Deleted]

I'm having flashbacks to when I read "The Good Earth" and the woman in the story worked in the field until she went into labor. Gave birth and then tied the baby to her back and continued to work in the field the same day.

[osulori]

Apr 27, 2016 9:41:23 GMT -5 auntie said:

My parents and I grabbed dinner a few weeks ago. Our server was on her first day back, a mere 10 days after delivery. My dad, who is often inappropriate, asked her about kids and she burst into tears. I felt so badly for her.

I suspect a number of moms working in higher paid positions also have the option of working from home to some degree as well.

My husband is a restaurant manager so I've learned from him having to return to work that soon is all to common for restaurant staff, at least. He does what he can to help as they make the transition back to work (making sure they take breaks as needed, that they know the manager office is available to them if they need to pump or just need to cry, and so on) but wishes he could do more.  He's heard some horror stories of how previous managers had acted towards staff who had just given birth... It's so sad, and makes us both so angry.

[statlerwaldorf]

I remember a young girl coming back to work at mcdonalds 2 weeks after giving birth.

I'm not allowed to come back until my doctor signs a fitness for duty form, but I also don't get any paid maternity leave.

One thing I didn't think about was that I have to keep paying for daycare for my older two during my leave or they will lose their spot. They are in the only daycare in my county open late enough for my work schedule and they have a long waitlist. They also won't take newborns until 6 weeks.

[Deleted]

I hate the way Americans treat mothers. Hate it, it's a soapbox issue for me. Can not even begin to tell you how much I hate it. Makes me ranty.

I actually think that part of the problem is that 12 weeks of leave (for those lucky few that qualify for unpaid FMLA protection) isn't long enough. It's a short enough time period that organizations think they can muddle through without bringing Ina temporary hire, as they would for an absence of 6-12months.

I'm 38 weeks pregnant. we moved and I negotiated a new job offer at 9 weeks pregnant. We negotiated a 4 week leave, then 5 hours/ week for 4 weeks, then 20 hours/ week for 4 weeks. All time out of the office is unpaid. And I consider myself "lucky," which is complete horseshit.

But, I'm the executive director of a small non profit. I'm 1 of a 1.5 person staff and a volunteer board. If I don't do my job, who will? If I were out for 6+ months they would likely hire an interim, but we're all just going to muddle through this summer.

And I'm lucky. I chose to work. I don't have to.

I hate this!

[StrawberryBlondie]

I had 12 weeks of paid leave. I wasn't really ready to be back at work until I'd been back for about 6 months.

[One Girl In All The World]

This is what the #womancard gets you, folks. A two-week vacation from work after birthing a child.

[thejackpot]

So frustrating. People get up in arms about Tiegen going out to dinner, raise a fuss about people forced to return to work before they should. Hell my youngest is 9 months today and I still feel out of sorts.

[WanderingWinoZ]

it's appalling and heart breaking. it's a crime that people get to wave the banner of "family values" and all this ohter BS to "protect women" when in fact they do JACK SHIT to help actual women in common, everyday scenarios.

[was5]

The idea of going back to work a week after having a baby - I just can't imagine. It is so wrong. I am very lucky. I got paid 66% of my salary for 8 weeks under a STD policy (the 8 weeks was because of a C-section otherwise would have been 6 weeks). Lucky enough I was able to use a combo of sick time and vacation time to get a full salary for my full 12 weeks off. By the time I went back to work my C-section was healed, DD was sleeping through the night and we had a couple week transition into daycare so I wasn't dropping her off someplace new my first day back to work. I would have loved the opportunity to stay at home longer but I know my experience was a dream compared to others. I felt the impact of the limited time off with my twins. I was told that as soon as my doctor took me off work, my 12 week FMLA started. I dragged myself into work until I was 34 weeks pregnant, even after I was sent to Labor and Delivery by my OB due to elevated BP (twice). My doctor didn't even realize I was still working until the 3rd time she sent me to the hospital. My goal was to work as long as possible so I'd have the most time off after having the babies. I ended up being off 2 weeks before they were born and returned to work when they were 10 weeks. I know I was still lucky to have that time paid off using a combo of STD/sick/vacation time but I felt no where near ready to return to work at that point. This was when I personally realized how screwed up maternity leave is in this country. I joked that I should get double the time off because I was having 2 babies. I was only half joking. The thing that annoyed me most of all. When the boys were about 2 years old I was sharing my experience with a pregnant coworker and the person who had been our union bargaining committee chairperson overheard the conversation. She said that if my OB had taken me out due to elevated BP, I could have still had the 12 weeks post partum because they are 2 separate issues. I told her I emailed HR and asked the policy of being taken off work and when the 12 weeks start. She scolded me for not CCing my union rep because of course HR is going to try and get me to work more. I was tongue tied. She knew I was having twins. She asked about me all the time. She couldn't have given me this heads up? Ugh. I was so mad. I knew if I tried to explain how I felt I would melt into tears. That 2 weeks would have meant so much.

[Deleted]

was5 i asked to make a 6 week paid maternity leave a bargaining platform for my employee union last year (I've since moved and switched jobs). I was STUNNED when a female colleague said "why would we ask for that. What do *I* get out of that?"

Are you fucking kidding me?

[isabel]

I'm just so sad. So incredibly sad.

[isabel]

Apr 27, 2016 12:42:43 GMT -5 One Girl In All The World said:

This is what the #womancard gets you, folks. A two-week vacation from work after birthing a child.

And what a vacation that first two weeks was. Let me tell ya!

I think DS was about 3 weeks when DH came out of the bedroom one morning dressed for work and I was sitting on the couch holding the baby and sobbing because I hadn't slept the entire night. DS wouldn't sleep anywhere but on me and I was terrified to fall asleep while holding him.

Ah, what blissful memories.

[One Girl In All The World]

Apr 27, 2016 22:01:39 GMT -5 isabel said:

Apr 27, 2016 12:42:43 GMT -5 One Girl In All The World said:

This is what the #womancard gets you, folks. A two-week vacation from work after birthing a child.

And what a vacation that first two weeks was. Let me tell ya!

I think DS was about 3 weeks when DH came out of the bedroom one morning dressed for work and I was sitting on the couch holding the baby and sobbing because I hadn't slept the entire night. DS wouldn't sleep anywhere but on me and I was terrified to fall asleep while holding him.

Ah, what blissful memories.

My DD spent seven of the first nine days or so in hospital. Some vacation that was! And yes OMG the sleep deprivation was no joke. With DS I was pumping so much I nearly lost my mind. I can't imagine going back so soon. 

[ttt]

Apr 27, 2016 22:01:39 GMT -5 isabel said:

Apr 27, 2016 12:42:43 GMT -5 One Girl In All The World said:

This is what the #womancard gets you, folks. A two-week vacation from work after birthing a child.

And what a vacation that first two weeks was. Let me tell ya!

I think DS was about 3 weeks when DH came out of the bedroom one morning dressed for work and I was sitting on the couch holding the baby and sobbing because I hadn't slept the entire night. DS wouldn't sleep anywhere but on me and I was terrified to fall asleep while holding him.

Ah, what blissful memories.

I have this very clear memory of when my first was about six weeks old - she was the same way, would only sleep when being held, and I was so severely sleep deprived, with no one to help me and give me any relief. I was driving to work and I remember seriously thinking about running my car off the road so that I would be hospitalized and I could finally get a break and sleep, and how could I do it so I wouldn't be seriously injured but would still have to go to the hospital for a few days. I still had a shred of sanity that kept me from doing it, but i was so, so desperate that it felt like a logical thing to do.

What we do to new mothers in this country is inexcusable.

[berrysweet]

Apr 27, 2016 22:54:10 GMT -5 ttt said:

Apr 27, 2016 22:01:39 GMT -5 isabel said:

And what a vacation that first two weeks was. Let me tell ya!

I think DS was about 3 weeks when DH came out of the bedroom one morning dressed for work and I was sitting on the couch holding the baby and sobbing because I hadn't slept the entire night. DS wouldn't sleep anywhere but on me and I was terrified to fall asleep while holding him.

Ah, what blissful memories.

I have this very clear memory of when my first was about six weeks old - she was the same way, would only sleep when being held, and I was so severely sleep deprived, with no one to help me and give me any relief. I was driving to work and I remember seriously thinking about running my car off the road so that I would be hospitalized and I could finally get a break and sleep, and how could I do it so I wouldn't be seriously injured but would still have to go to the hospital for a few days. I still had a shred of sanity that kept me from doing it, but i was so, so desperate that it felt like a logical thing to do.

What we do to new mothers in this country is inexcusable.

I thought I was the only one. I was right there too. I remember almost hoping to break a bone or need a simple surgery.

I didnt have to go back to work right away, but H didn't really get to take any time off work other than his standard weekend, and I also had a non-sleeper and a preschooler was just bone tired.

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2016 9:52:28 GMT -5 sunshineandpinot said:

I was back in my office 7 days after giving birth, with my 7 day old. I work for a small small family owned company (my family's company) and there is literally no one else who can do my job. Granted I had the flexibility of bringing my baby and I certainly started back part time.... it is what it is. My job had to get done.

This will probably be me if we ever have kids.

I truly don't know how I can take six weeks off work. The most I've taken off work as an adult is one week, and it's carefully scheduled around business, and it's always a clusterfuck when I return. I feel like taking off six weeks would be a special kind of hell.

[msmerymac]

A former coworker came back after less than 3 weeks. As an executive assistant. Her boss was a nightmare. And that was in a state that has 6 weeks of paid STD for birth.

These stats SHOULD silence the assholes who say that women should just PLAN BETTER and save money for time off. Because that's helpful. The majority of people in this country have to work paycheck to paycheck, and apparently those who don't are likely to get paid maternity leave. Hmm.

[msmerymac]

Also, a friend, who is taking the full 12 weeks, has an almost 7 week old now. When I saw them 2 weeks ago, she told me that time has no meaning, he sleeps when he wants (or not), cries in the car seat, stroller and baby seat, and she doesn't have time to sleep AND do laundry AND wash bottles. And her mom is staying with them! There are 3 adults in the house, only one is back at work, and they are all exhausted. She said she cannot comprehend how single parents manage and is terrified of her mom leaving!

[was5]

Apr 27, 2016 21:54:25 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

was5 i asked to make a 6 week paid maternity leave a bargaining platform for my employee union last year (I've since moved and switched jobs). I was STUNNED when a female colleague said "why would we ask for that. What do *I* get out of that?"

Are you fucking kidding me?

That is so frustrating. It is a good policy, even if she won't benefit from it herself. It will benefit other women, but why would we care about them and their families. So much for solidarity. Ugh.

I was looking through old union contracts when I was pregnant trying to get the exact language on maternity leave. At one point, my union allowed for 6 months off after child birth. It wasn't paid of course, but I think you could use vacation time to get paid for a portion. At least you knew your job would be safe even if the financial part was a struggle.

The more I think about it, it seems that we as Americans are so resistant to good maternity leave because we don't think mothers should work. Most people have adapted to the idea of women working, but there is an underlying belief that once you become a mother you should do everything you can to stay at home with your child. If we had better maternity leave policies, say for 6 months, more mothers would probably return to work. But, if you are forced to make that decision when your baby is 4 weeks old and you have the means to stay home with your child (at least in the short run) you are more likely to stay home. If you know you are going to have a solid 6 months off to be with your baby before returning to work, you are probably more likely to make the choice to go back. It is unfortunate that this doesn't take into account the mothers who cannot afford to stop working or the women who really love and get fulfillment from their jobs.

[fumbalina]

The reason I think we don't value maternity leave is because we allow businesses to take over our lives. If companies truly baled work life balance EVERYONE would take more leave. As a culture we do not value time off of work and often view a one week vacation as a long time away from work. It is what leads to corporate burn out as well as higher stress, which in turn leads to stress related disease.

I feel like for the US to value maternity leave we first would need to mandate every person not only receive vacation time but also take it, and require it to be planned so that it does not slip into additional sick days that parents usually have to take for their children's illnesses.

[lurkingaw]

IDK, the world doesn't stop turning just because you have a baby. I mean, I'm a SAHM with an 11 day old baby and I've been back at "work" for four days. I have four other kids to care for, homeschool, feed, and entertain. I was in my garden pulling weeds yesterday, because it has to get done. Life goes on. My household still has to function.

And businesses are no different. They have to keep going when we choose to have babies. I don't fault them one bit for putting profits first. That's their job.

[jeaniebueller]

But....but....free college!

In seriousness, this is appalling, heartbreaking and infuriating.