AVMA Life changes short term disability for maternity leave from 12 to 4 weeks
Although more than 80% of graduating veterinarians and 65% of current small animal practitioners are female, the AVMA Life has changed their policies for the worse, when it comes to maternity leave.
The new short term disability plan notes
“Short-Term Disability Income Insurance Plan Features: Maternity benefits: Benefits can be paid for up to 1 month for routine pregnancy/delivery** (disabilities resulting from omplications from pregnancy are covered as any other illness)
Provide benefits for up to three months, including paid benefitson or before the date of delivery.
Six weeks is considered the normal length of “disability” leave following a normal delivery. While the U.S. does not have a standard maternity leave length, study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 60% of employers give 12 weeks of maternity leave.
If you are an AVMA member and you want to share your concern about this policy change, you can contact the AVMA-Life directly at 800-621-6360 or email them here.
If you are attending the AVMA Convention this week, we encourage you to stop by the AVMA-LIFE booth and voice your concerns in person.
Note: AVMA LIFE declined to comment prior to the publication of this story.