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)

The previous policy stated:

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.