No work..no pay...less money for a new mom!
By cdparazo
@cdparazo (5765)
Philippines
May 7, 2007 7:18am CST
I have always been adamant not to allow those who just gave birth or had miscarriages to return to work right away. Some would return to work just after 2 weeks of giving birth because they need the money. Sometimes they beg me to let them return to work but I just can't allow them to because in the end it will be their health that will suffer. Each woman here who gives birth are entitled to 60days leave with pay or 90days for those who miscarried with pay also under our social security system but most of them would want to go back right away because they need the extra cash. I have disallowed those who requests to get back to work right away because I fear for their health and that of their children. I have taken into consideration that their job is not an easy one since all of them are assigned at the department stores wherein they are not allowed to sitdown and had to be on their feet all the time entertaining all those customers. However, I get the impression that the supervisors to whom that they are reporting doesn't agree with me and think that I am just being too hard or too difficult, as usual! When it gets down to it, health is important than money and they could always borrow when don't have money and pay them back once they regain their health. Though it is a more difficult path, but in the end, they are able to preserve their health and life to do more and greater things.
2 people like this
1 response
@FromDaIsland (72)
• Portugal
7 May 07
Depending on what kind of job it is, how far along a woman is when she miscarried and her emotional health, I don't think it's a problem to be back at work right after a miscarriage, I was back at work the next day after miscarrying, I was in my 6th week and for my job I work on the computer all day. I preffered to get back to work and distract myself rather than sit at home alone thinking about what happened and getting depressed. But as you wrote that they have to be on their feet all the time, I also do not agree that a woman should be back at work days after giving birth and certain miscarriages. But of course, you might not be able to examine every case, so making the same rule for all could be the best choice. In Portugal a woman gets 4 months paid maternity leave and if the woman chooses an extra unpaid month. I am not aware of leave after a miscarriage, I did not want leave and so did not ask for it. I think 4 or 5 months is not enough time for a mom to start work again after having the baby, the baby is so young still, 60 days is even more unacceptable, I am glad I do not live where you are. There are countries that allow 5 or 6 YEARS maternity leave. It's not easy to ask someone for money, no matter how close the relationship and you must remember, some people do not have anyone to ask money from and it's not easy to find someone that would lend money, especially a large ammount that a person might need to get through a few months. It is good that you are concerned for their health, at the same time you must think of the legal issues towards accepting them to work while the social security is already paying them to be home. I think the best is to have a set rule for all and maybe explain to them that you can't afford to have problems with the social security for taking them while they are not to be working, also that if you take one, you have to take all and you cannot do that. It's not always easy, but sometimes you have to say no. All the best to you.
1 person likes this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
7 May 07
I think the reason why our women are entitled to more paid leave when we miscarry because it is more emotional for us and that if one miscarry, that means something went wrong somehow. I think healtwise one needs to rest. How I wish too that we have more PAID MATERNITY leave like your country. The lack of paid maternitiy leave here is somehow compensated by the love and help that we get from our relatives. No matter how poor we are, we would always find someone to help us, some relatives would even offer to help. The poorest of the poor could still somehow manage to help others who are in need. That is how families and our community works here. I also agree with you that 4-5 months is not enough maternity leave because the child is still young. Thanks for responding!
@FromDaIsland (72)
• Portugal
11 May 07
It's nice that there are people willing to help for those who need it :-)
1 person likes this
