Taking Mat Leave

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Before I even got pregnant I wanted to add 2 weeks paid vacation. But now that Im pregnant I wasnt sure if I should just leave the vacation unpaid and put something in about mat leave. .

Need be careful. As self-employed, we not entitled to pay on stat day, vacation, sick or mat leave. We get around by having paid days in contract and not labelling any of these terms which are entitlement of employed person with employer. It very thin ice if labelled as employment term and can blur line for client. If not careful, they might be on hook for employer responsibility.

We have option to opt into EI as self-employed person which give limited mat benefits but being already pregnant it too late now. Have be opted in for min of one year before allowed claim.

Since you have support, I think if I you, I would not rock boat with client who not run as soon as they learn you pregnant but stay open with support from other people.

I also always do a yearly contract since this business can be a learning experience so my parents always know to expect an updated contract in January. Its not always major changes just things added like my policies with sick children, holiday pay, expected time off in the year, etc.

This understandable. Just be aware, each time you make change, you are cancelling prior contract. Client not have agree to new one and is risk they all just walk away on final day of old contract. Even if you adding just 10 day paid leave per year, if your fee is $35 a day, that costing parent extra $350 they not agreed to pay, even if surprised not charged when they join. If fee is $60 day, that $600 more. Need to consider worse case scenario. If all your parent walk away, can you manage financially until new client sign up with new terms?

Unfortunately, you not in position of strength at moment where you having baby in 10 week. This not time to risk annoy client because might leave when you take 2 week and once gone, may not return.

[mickyc]

Honestly if you don't get paid time off right now if I was one of your families I would be ticked if you all of a sudden added 2 paid holiday days in especially seeing that you knew you were taking 2 weeks off when the baby comes.

I don't get paid time off unless it is a stat day - all of which are listed in my contract.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I think lot parent be ticked to have two week paid leave added to contract and then all taken within 10 week of change. Parent not stupid. They will know why.

[mickyc]

The thing is too is that you are planning on giving them such short notice too that they need to pay during your 2 weeks off. They have probably made other arrangements while you are closed and will have to pay for that too. Regardless of whether or not you think they can afford it you really don't know their financial situation. You have had 30 weeks to save up for your time off.

That being said you have every right to make changes to your contract. With that type of change though I think more than 1 month notice should be given. You also need to be prepared for them to go elsewhere if they don't agree to your new terms.