Hi there - I am a full time paralegal in MA - my due date is July 6th, and my boss and I have been looking into "laying me off" for my leave (probably 8 weeks, maybe less!) - does anyone know if I would qualify for Mass unemployment benefits (I meet all of the "initial" criteria - just worried about the maternity leave issue)

Probably not - the reason is that, to qualify for unemployment, "requirements include being able to work, being available for work and conducting an active search for new employment." There are other criteria for unemployment but this statement is the one that will probably exclude you. You can read about Massachusetts unemployment at: http://www.detma.org/WSUIUnderstandingUI.htm

Just some additional info here for you.

Since you will not qualify for unemployment for your maternity leave, think this "laying off" through. If you are laid off, your job will not be protected by FMLA to ensure you have a job after the baby is born.

A leave of absence with FMLA protection may be the best route to go.

I have seen some arrangements go sour when one supervisor makes an arrangement for an eployee and then it is nixed by upper management or personnel.