UK and US maternity benefits:a discussion

Krissybelle:

Think about all the extra costs of having a baby in the US that you have even when you have insurance versus the medical system in the UK. 

Ok fair enough, but think about the general cost of having a baby in your house - like food and equipment and clothes etc, then think about the exchange rate. It makes it *expensive* here. In the long run.

Now I know some of you have had bad experiences with the NHS, but plenty of people have had bad experiences with US hospital doctors and hospitals as well.  I was just shocked to hear from a couple who recently had a baby that they paid a couple thousand of dollars by the time they had their baby after insurance covered some of the costs.

I know I've had a particularly bad experience (which is why I'm finding it difficult to sound nice in my replies, though honestly I'm trying - just bitter)... but I can't WAIT to pay that much money to have a baby in the US. In my experience with the NHS (which I know I know I know is fickle just like it is in the US) - you get what you pay for. Which was nothing.

(unless you count the tax you pay for the NHS. Which I'm not. Because I'm already in a bad mood.)

And I also want to say - as far as Maternity benefits go, I *really* don't think it is a US v UK thing. I totally think it is a company to company thing. You'll find brilliant companies in both countries that offer great packages, and crappy companies in both countries that screw you for the minimum. And as far as the LAW is concerned, I think they both have room for improvement. But what doesn't?

How did you delete my post, edit, and post under my name, Marlespo?  Is it just a glitch in the forum?  Cause on my screen it has a post from you as being a post I wrote and the post I wrote is gone....hmm

It says the last edit to my post is by Marlespo...can other people edit your posts?

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Krissybelle, I have no idea how that happened, that's weird, I didn't edit anything.

Squirrel, I wasn't replying to you when I talked about how much child benefit is, I was just merely talking about it, so relax. You were talking about tax credits? Great. Good for you. I wasn't.

Secondly, I'm not arguing that the US is better than the UK. Don't get pissed off with me because I'm not agreeing with you that the UK is far better than the US in maternity benefits. I'm not agreeing with people who say the US is better either.

Wait a minute I see what you're saying now Krissybelle! How the hell did that happen?!?!  I must have accidentally done something very stupid or clicked a button or something wrong - - - SORRY SORRY SORRY! I have no idea what I did.  :\\\'(

OK.  I don't think anyone is saying that the US system is superior.  What I believe is being said is that the UK system could be better.  And for the record, Britwife is forgiven for ANYthing she said since she was actually in labour when she wrote it and has had a bouncing baby boy.  And I think people who've struggled through it-new mums and old mums just happen to have pretty firm opinions that no ones going to change.  So, we're all agreed.  Right? 

Marlespo~  No worries, easy mistake to make.   I don't have any personal experience with having a child yet, so I wasn't the best to comment on it anyhow.  

Everyone has different wants and needs, so hopefully they'll find the system or particular company that best fits them for this situation.

Totally off subject-

But I once did the same thing in Pettifog that Marlespo accidentally did to your post.  What's likely is, she hit "Edit" instead of "Quote", since as a mod she has that ability.

Just shedding some light.  I have absolutely no opinion about the child leave thing, at least, none that I care to share.   

OK. I don't think anyone is saying that the US system is superior. What I believe is being said is that the UK system could be better. And for the record, Britwife is forgiven for ANYthing she said since she was actually in labour when she wrote it and has had a bouncing baby boy. And I think people who've struggled through it-new mums and old mums just happen to have pretty firm opinions that no ones going to change. So, we're all agreed. Right?

RIGHT!!!!!  You are always right Mindy!!!  That is why I like you so much!!!    

Yeah, she had the baby!!!  Yippee!!!  I can't wait to see him!

But I once did the same thing in Pettifog that Marlespo accidentally did to your post.  What's likely is, she hit "Edit" instead of "Quote", since as a mod she has that ability.

Um, I did the same thing in Grievances.  It's easy to confuse those buttons!

I love you Mindy. Well Put.
And yep, I accidentally hit "modify" instead of "reply", as I'm a global moderator. Sending more apologies!

((and secretly quite happy to know I'm not the only one who has done it!!!))

I honestly don't know which country is better, but I know from things I've seen here in the US, it's not all that great.  A girl that I work with, was back at work only three weeks after she gave birth to her little girl.  She didn't take any vacation that year because she knew she'd be giving birth, so that three weeks was two weeks vacation, and one week sick pay then it was back at work for her.  I've got another friend who recently had a c-section and she's only been gone two and a half weeks and she says she MUST get back to work ASAP because they can't afford not getting a paycheck.  Our employer doesn't pay one dime for maternity.

I'm sure there are US employers who give good maternity leave, but for most of us who work, we get nothin'.  Yes they do have to hold a spot for you, but that doesn't mean they have to hold your position.  You could have left as a highly skilled, needed employee, and come back to a much lower position.  I don't think that there are any employee rights here (I'm in Texas) and it is all set up for the benefit of the employer.