Laxmi Parthasarathy’s Post

Next week, a few days before my daughter turns five months old, my maternity leave comes to an end. So far, motherhood has been an absolute whirlwind. No matter how many people you ask advice, books you read, classes you take, nothing can prepare you for life with a newborn (sounds obvious, but it’s true!). It’s an amazing life adjustment, but one quite like no other. So it’s not lost on me how lucky I am to work for a company whose parental leave program allowed me the time and resources to navigate postpartum life - because for most working people in the United States, this isn’t the case. In fact, the United States is one of only seven countries in the world without a national paid family or medical leave policy. This forces one in four women in America to return to work within TWO WEEKS of giving birth, not allowing them the proper time to heal physically, mentally and emotionally or the invaluable time to bond with their newborn child. While we wait (and call) for Congress to pass paid leave for all, I hope more companies examine their own leave policies for employees. Research shows how paid leave policies benefit women and families and improve company culture and its bottom line. In the meantime, while Miss Zoey Louise is now my top client and No. 1 teammate, I’m looking forward to returning to BCW Global next week!

Paid family leave provides employees with paid and protected time off to care for a newborn or family member. Although its physical, mental, and economic benefits are widely acknowledged, the U.S. has no national paid family leave program. Many new parents can't afford to take much (if any) unpaid time at all. One study found that 23 percent of women in the U.S. return to work within just ten days of having a baby. Despite not having a paid family leave program, Americans widely support it – one poll found that 82 percent of people believe mothers should have paid leave after a birth or adoption. Your thoughts? #HR #maternityleave #pto

Organising maternity leave as an associate can be a complex and stressful task. In this blog we compile advice on how to prepare and minimise stress. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3SwlpCx

79% of mothers we surveyed as part of our #InvisibleMothers campaign last year told us they wanted equal and extended leave for *both* parents. One respondent says: "We need to implement and promote policies that provide equal and non-transferable parental leave for both parents. This ensures that fathers are encouraged and supported to take an active role in childcare from the beginning." 📣📣📣 More policies that promote bonding between parents and their children while encouraging a more equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities, please. 🙏

So - you're on maternity leave. So exciting. So scary. So life-changing. So much to do on so little rest! I can't help you deal with a poonami (sorry - just make sure to buy vests and sleepsuits that can be removed *downwards* rather than overhead... shout out to @Mumsnet for that one!). But I do have some thoughts about work related things to do before the end of your maternity leave, to help you prepare for returning to work: https://lnkd.in/eRQv5xAm (edited - now with correct link)

When I worked in an early childcare classroom, my employer's policy was six weeks of unpaid maternity leave because that was the federal requirement. In childcare, this was (and often still is) the norm. I have no children of my own yet, but a policy like this would certainly have acted as a deterrent. This isn't a reflection of where I worked, which I adored, but of the realities for many who work, including those who work in early childhood. I cannot overstate the anger I feel about the hypocrisy that those who care for American children do not have any support to care for their own children. From a child development point of view, having more time with your parents early in your life is always going to be the better option. From a financial point of view, investing in paid parental leave for all employees means that your employees have more stability. They can save sick time for when they return, and their baby inevitably gets ill. They can use their personal time for just that and not for caring for their infants and convalescing (as is the case if you're a birth parent). Mentally and physically healthy employees are more likely to be at work and more likely to stay at work. In short, there's no reason not to have a national, mandatory paid parental leave.

Help make Ohio the best place to be a young child! Ohio friends, please take a few minutes to complete this survey about Paid Family Leave from Groundwork Ohio. The United States is one of six countries in the world, and the only wealthy country, without national paid maternity leave through a Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) policy. While the U.S. offers 0 weeks of paid leave after birth or family expansion, the global average is 29 weeks of paid leave and as high as 52-82 weeks in some of the most supportive countries. In the absence of a national PFML policy, states around the country have stepped up. In 2023, 21 states and D.C. had enacted paid family and medical leave laws. Ohio is not among them. Sadly, even unpaid leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is inaccessible for 60 percent of Ohioans due legal technicalities that disqualify much of the overall workforce. Let's do better. https://lnkd.in/gvq-MFp6

Planning for maternity leave can feel daunting and scary, especially if you're a first-time mom! But fear not, we've got you covered with a comprehensive guide on how to create a maternity leave plan with confidence. 📝 🔍 Understand your legal rights and benefits. 💰 Plan for your financial needs to ease any financial stress during your leave. 🗓️ Follow a timeline. 💼 Talk to your employer. 🤝 Make arrangements for coverage. 👶 Plan for your return to work. 🌟 Take care of yourself! Ready to dive into the full article and prepare for your maternity leave like a pro? Read the complete guide here! 📚👉 https://buff.ly/47d8JWj #MaternityLeave #MaternityLeavePlan #WorkingMom #NewWorkingMom

Are you about to go on, or currently on, maternity leave? Having a baby is one of the most seismic things to happen to your finances! In this clip, Katie Guild shares how you can boost your maternity leave income by using your holiday allowance. #MaternityLeave #MaternityPay #Family

Loved working on this bitesize class on the essentials for baby proofing your finances with WorkLife Central 💸 The cost of raising a child has soared 75% over the last 10 years 😱 Support your employees in their journey to parenthood by arming them with all the information they need to protect their finances 💰 We run masterclasses on: - Childcare schemes to help your employees reduce the cost of returning to work - How to financially prepare for a baby - Creating a smooth return to work - Navigating parental leave for high earners - Benefits for babies & bespoke classes where we translate your parental leave policy to your employees so they are fully aware of the benefits & can use it properly PLUS: management classes so your team are all singing from the same hymn sheet when approaching parental leave Slide into my DMs to chat more! 🫡