How to Request Maternity Leave

Get Organized Before Requesting Maternity Leave

Before you request maternity leave, you’re going to want to get organized, know your rights, and make some key decisions.

There are plenty of places where you can learn more about maternity leave laws. Keep in mind that where you live and at various articles and websites, Maternity leave may be called family leave or pregnancy leave. Some less modern companies may only call what you’re taking sick leave. Don’t let the terms get you flustered--requesting your leave will still work the same no matter what your place of employment calls it.

After exploring your rights to maternity leave, you’ll want to plan when you’ll be taking your leave and for how long. This will vary person to person. It may depend on recommended maternity leave, your personal preferences, and, in some cases, how safe your workplace is. You can find out if your workplace is safe by completing a workplace pregnancy risk assessment.

For many families, the amount of maternity leave they take comes down to monetary resources while on leave. If you’re worried about finances during your leave, you may find the following articles useful:

• Maternity Leave, Disability, and Unemployment
• Income During Maternity Leave
• Help for Pregnant Moms Who Can’t Work and Need Money

Of course, you’ll also want to discuss your length of maternity leave with both your partner and your health care provider.

When To Request Maternity Leave

When considering how to request maternity leave, many women worry about timing. It’s very normal to worry about this, but know that there is no perfectly set time for everyone. People’s situations will differ. First, it’s probably going to be helpful if you understand how to tell people at work you are pregnant.

Following are some other points about timing to consider:

• You do not want to suggest leave too early because you won’t have all your own ideas about leave organized. Also, waiting a while gives your health care provider some time to decide if there are any health conditions that are going to affect your leave time.
• You also don’t want to wait too long. Right before labor, you’re not going to feel much like discussing leave (really, you won’t).
• Federal guidelines dictate that you need to request leave at least 30 days prior to taking your actual leave, but asking for leave about 2-3 months before is a good goal. This time frame gives you a chance to work out a new plan if you need to adjust your leave and it allows enough time for you to get your job in order before you take your leave.

Once you decide when and how to request maternity leave, make a meeting with your supervisor. This is not one of those times you just pop in unannounced. Set up a formal meeting time if possible.

How to Request Maternity Leave At Your Meeting

You may be a little nervous before your meeting. If you know someone who has asked for maternity leave at work, ask them what they did that worked or didn’t work when they asked for leave. Sometimes a co-worker’s opinion can be very helpful in soothing your nerves.

Basic pointers:

1. It's ok to be nervous, but try to act confident and relaxed when you actually walk into the meeting. This shows your boss that you’re under control and care enough about your job to stay calm.
2. Take a maternity leave letter: Yes, you’ll be telling your boss in person, but you should also take a typed leave letter with you so that you can physically hand it over. This protects you by proving that you did ask for leave. Your human resource department should also receive a copy of this leave letter.
3. Take a script: Taking a list of your plans will help you to stay focused on your needs and wants for leave.
4. Have a solid plan: Your script should have a clear plan laid out. If you have some ideas about who can take over your projects and tasks while you’re gone, what your clients will do, and how to implement this transition, your boss will be impressed and more willing to work with your requests.

What’s Next?

Many employers will simply agree with your request. Under FMLA, your boss has to agree to certain terms if you meet FMLA eligible employee requirements.

If you are eligible under FMLA and your boss refuses your leave request, you can inform your boss (nicely) about FMLA-–some people honestly do not understand FMLA. If that doesn’t help, contact The U.S. Department of Labor; they can advise you about workplace compliance issues and about what to do next.