I am a pregnant employee of Wells Fargo and was thrilled to recently learn that the company has announced a new paid maternity leave policy which will guarantee employees 16 weeks of fully paid leave.

However, I was shocked and saddened to learn that the policy would not apply to me, because currently pregnant women as of April 6, 2016 are not eligible unless they give birth on or after June 1st. I am scheduled for a C-section on May 14 due to hypertension and history of preterm labor. I will be 39 weeks.

Those who give birth prior to June 1st, like me, must file for short term disability with a max of 6-8 weeks at 65% pay. This announcement affects hundreds of families who will not get the much needed bonding time with families. We are hoping those currently pregnant can be grandfathered into the new wonderful benefits. Women should not be risking their health or their children's health trying to stay pregnant longer. This is only adding more stress to these expecting mothers.  Please consider making some changes to the policy.  

It’s safer for my baby to be out of my body then stay in any longer. I was told having the baby natural could cause death. I honestly thought of ways to keep the baby in longer so that I would be eligible for the new paid leave coverage. My family cannot afford for me to be off work longer than the 2 months which I will just be barely healing from surgery along with trying to bond and breastfeed my newborn.

Its very disappointing to hear I will not get this much needed time to heal or bond just because I am due two weeks earlier.  But my health is more important.  My husband is taking a dangerous job overseas with the military to supplement the income I will be missing.  He actually gets 4 months paid 100% with his employer, however he has to risk his life so I can properly heal. This situation is very disappointing.  A company so huge can implement this early so more employees can bond, heal and have peace of mind.  

All employees matter.