General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: what do childfree/childless people get instead of "parental leave?" [View all]Squinch
(52,115 posts)I was diagnosed with a serious chronic illness a few years back. (I am fine now.) When I was diagnosed, I was pretty sick, but still able to perform the functions of my job, so I could not use FMLA to take time off. I used up my sick time, but would love to have had the option to take off some more time, 3 or 4 weeks, to tend to my health and get good at the new things I needed to do to deal with the condition. Instead, I had to do those things while also dealing with the stress of work.
I have never taken a maternity leave, and I have picked up the slack for many other people's maternity leave, working extra hours on a regular basis. Is it so wrong for me think that it would have been nice if I had the option to take that time when I needed it, even if it was not because I had a baby?