5 Weeks and Counting

Well, we’re now down to 5 weeks before little baby Peach makes its appearance. Ms. Pregnant is finishing her last 2 shifts today and tomorrow night, then she’s off on vacation until the little poop-maker arrives.

In Canada we get very generous maternity leave legislated by the Federal government. Our federally-administered Employment Insurance program grants paid maternity benefits for 15 weeks after the birth. Benefits usually cover 55% of a claimant’s weekly insurable earnings, to a maximum of $413 per week. So depending on your income, the new mother can expect up to $1,652 per month in maternity benefits from the Federal Government. These funds come from part of the Employment Insurance payroll tax paid both by the employer and employee. (Finally, after all these years of paying into the EI fund I’m going to see a benefit!)

Many of our companies and employers offer much more than this. Depending on the employer, new moms can get up to 80% of their salary (their 55% government benefits topped up by the employer) for a set number of weeks, then a certain percentage or lump sum per month for up to a year after the baby’s delivery.

We’re lucky – Mom-to-Be is a nurse with a very generous benefits package that gives her a percentage of her salary for a full year after the baby’s birth. As well she is still covered by her extended health insurance policy (above and beyond basic health care – which is free to all Canadians – her extended health coverage pays for prescriptions, massage and other non-core health care expenses). She has the right ot return to work at the end of the year in the same position (or similar position should the original position no longer exist) at the same level of benefits and pay. Her seniority level is maintained during the maternity leave and her employer pension contributions will continue as long as she continues to pay her part.

Also in Canada we’re allowed to split the year of maternity leave (properly called Parental Leave). Given that her employer offer such a good package, I will not be splitting the parental leave with her. My company does not offer anything beyond the standard EI benefits for the mother. And besides, the baby needs Mom way more than me during that first year. I’ll probably be happy to escape the house anyhow!

Normally I wouldn’t write so much about something that most Canadians already are aware of, but one of my remote US employees is pregnant and due a few weeks after us. In the US she is only eligible for 6 weeks of maternity leave, after which she either has to return to work or take unpaid leave of absence. And in France – that bastion of socialism – moms only get 16 weeks of paid leave. And it’s a highly-bureaucratic process of filling out forms and such.

I guess I don’t need to point out that we’re lucky and grateful for the support that the Canadian government and employers provide.