I'm 5+ months pregnant and was looking into what options could be available to me for maternity leave in NY. I learned that through NYS disability in conjunction with my employers disability insurance carrier I am eligible for 6 weeks paid leave. That's good, but I was hoping for more.

I work for a small veterinary clinic (6 doctors, 5 office staff, 5-6 farm staff) Any thoughts as to how I could approach my employer for more paid leave?? Anything legal out there that I could use in my approach/arguement??

Are there unemployment benefits above and beyond disability benefits??

Any suggestions/links would be helpful and appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Any thoughts as to how I could approach my employer for more paid leave?? Well, you can certainly ask but as paid leave time is expensive and since I doubt the employer is prepared to set a precedent for all the employees, I woudn't count on it.

Anything legal out there that I could use in my approach/arguement?? No. Being pregnant does not entitle you to any special considerations or benefits; just the same treatment any other similarly situated employee would receive.

Are there unemployment benefits above and beyond disability benefits?? Only individuals involuntarily unemployed who are physically able to work and actively seeking employment are eligible for UC benefits.

Thanks for the reply. Knowing my employer that way that I do, if I approached them with systematic reasons why I want 12 weeks off as opposed to 6 with A, B, C reasons, they more than likely would give it to me. But the reason 'because that's what I want' won't fly. Does anyone know of any other states that provide longer maternity leave?

California and I believe one or two other states allow up to 16 weeks of maternity leave. But what other states do is not binding on your state or on your employer. Even if every other state in the US offered longer maternity leave, your employer is only required to offer what is required in your state.

In addition, you are very lucky that you are in one of only five states that has mandatory disability coverage. If you were in any state except New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii or California, ALL of your time could be unpaid. Most states do not provide any paid leave at all.