AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen my first child was born, I found myself faced with the harsh reality of no guaranteed maternity leave in the US. And, while the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees 12 weeks of unpaid leave, I wasn't eligible for that. It was one of those non-negotiable parts of American work culture that I felt I had to accept. But if there's a standard of maternity leave throughout the country and company, it makes it much easier to find coverage for those nine or more months. When my maternity leave ended and I asked the school to take another year off — this time without pay but with continued job security — they were 100% understanding.

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Persons: Esther Strauss, —, I'd, Europe —, doesn't, Jenna Gyimesi Organizations: Service, Europe Locations: North Macedonia, Europe, Texas, United States, jgyimesi@Insider.com