PTO During Maternity Leave - Your Options
Understand how PTO works with maternity and parental leave. Learn about using PTO to extend leave, accrual during leave, and planning for the best outcome.
PTO and Maternity Leave Interaction
Maternity leave and PTO are separate but can overlap. You may use PTO to extend paid leave, supplement unpaid FMLA, or be required to use PTO before accessing other benefits.
Common Approaches
PTO + Disability: Use PTO to cover waiting periods before short-term disability kicks in. PTO + FMLA: Use PTO to receive pay during unpaid FMLA leave. PTO Extension: Add PTO to the end of maternity leave.
Accrual During Leave
PTO accrual during maternity leave depends on your employer. You typically accrue during paid leave. Unpaid FMLA may not include PTO accrual. Paid company leave may continue accrual.
Planning Your Leave
Consider: How much PTO to save vs. use before birth. Whether your employer requires PTO use during leave. The best sequence of leave types. Getting everything in writing.