| Motherhood is the most beautiful phase of a | | | | majority of the states, the number of days may |
| woman's life. The greatest joy on earth for a | | | | differ from one state to the other. |
| woman is perhaps holding a little bundle of joy in | | | | Employers are not supposed to discriminate |
| her hands. However, working women may face | | | | against a woman who is pregnant. However, |
| problems when it comes to juggling motherhood | | | | there have been instances where women have |
| and work. | | | | been fired or refused promotion all because of |
| Every country has laws to cater to pregnant | | | | their condition. Such kind of unfair discrimination |
| women. It is important to be aware about | | | | can put the employers in legal trouble. |
| maternity leave laws and policies so that you can | | | | However, in order to avail the maternity leave, |
| continue working. Maternity leave is the period of | | | | the woman has to request for it in writing at least |
| leave which a pregnant woman takes just before | | | | 30 days before proceeding on leave. Usually it is |
| and after the birth of a child. | | | | advisable for a pregnant woman to discuss the |
| Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) | | | | leave with her immediate supervisor once she |
| passed by the US Department of Labor's | | | | enters her second trimester. This leave is unpaid |
| Employment Standards Administration in 1993, | | | | and the woman's job is protected during this |
| employees can avail benefits like sick leave, | | | | period. In addition, the employer has to continue |
| maternity leave and/or vacation leave. All | | | | the woman's group health insurance. In some |
| organizations have to comply with rules of the | | | | states based on the state law, companies may |
| FMLA. | | | | take pregnancy as a short-term disability. This |
| According to the Maternity Leave Act, a pregnant | | | | paves way for the woman to receive a small |
| woman can take twelve weeks, or three months | | | | percentage of her salary. |
| of maternity leave, without pay. To be eligible for | | | | Pregnancy discrimination still prevails. However, |
| this leave, the woman employee should have | | | | many companies have introduced flexible leave |
| worked for a minimum period of 12 months for | | | | policies and working conditions for women who |
| an organization. Though this is the general rule in | | | | are expecting. |