https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 30 May 2026 02:43:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2391544 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 21:42:36 +0000 BandDmommy 2391544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: agree </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2391502 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 21:11:52 +0000 Mrs D 2391502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: I saw that one too ... I agree </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2391495 Wed, 16 Dec 2015 21:06:33 +0000 lawbee11 2391495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought this was a good article and pretty spot on. </p> <p><a href="http://www.scarymommy.com/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-to-twin-girls/" rel="nofollow">http://www.scarymommy.com/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-to-twin-girls/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386723 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 22:00:36 +0000 Bluebonnet 2386723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's important to remember that MM is just a mom (like us) doing what she feels is best for her and her family. As many have mentioned, Yahoo is in a very precarious position, making it much harder to take time off. She is likely thinking about her family and her career (at Yahoo and then after Yahoo) when she made her maternity leave decisions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386414 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 11:28:30 +0000 BandDmommy 2386414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: a lot can happen in 6 weeks. Trust me. My previous employer went completely under in less time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386341 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 08:38:50 +0000 skipra 2386341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: Don't we have a vp for times the president cannot do his or her job? I would expect that even the president should be able to step away temporarily to recover from childbirth or other medical issue. We are talking like 6 weeks, not a year! Really in the big scheme of things 6 weeks is NOT a long time and it at least sends the message that - yeah maybe it's a bad time to take leave at work but it is important to at least put your health first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386337 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 08:29:02 +0000 charlotte 2386337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with those of you pointing out the current state of Yahoo / supporting her "decision" to go back early. I doubt she feels she has a choice and I wouldn't be surprised if company investor relations people / attorneys wrote the statement for her. The company is not in a good place right now and they wanted to meet the "MM is going to be out" criticism head on. </p> <p>Question for those of you wanting her to take longer leave as an example / role model. what if she (or another woman of childbearing age) was President? Would you expect her to step away from running the country for a period of time?</p> <p>I believe she is, in her own way, supporting women by showing that even if she does have to work twice as hard and go back with the kids next door - women can still be a CEO or anything else that they want to be. is it ideal or fair? No. But the job description for a C level exec is different than an average employee and if women want to be considered for those roles regularly then they may have to make choices like this. I think she is doing the best she can to be all things to all people. </p> <p>Mark Z - whether he fully unplugs or not, good for him for trying to say "it doesn't have to be like this". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386328 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 07:35:18 +0000 Mama Bird 2386328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: exactly, she's CEO of a company in major transition which is not going well... of course she doesn't want to take a long leave. Not to mention she's going to have the babies in a nursery next door. I don't see how this is anything like most moms' situation, so I don't think it has any bearing on how much leave is expected of others.</p> <p>And she's expanded Yahoo's paid parental leave, which doesn't get mentioned in most articles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386324 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 07:24:19 +0000 looch 2386324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Way late and I haven't read all the posts in this thread, maybe the first 2 pages, but I just want to say that I wouldn't want to be in MM's position right now. There was an excellent article in Time last week or the week before about the current state of Yahoo, I think once people read that, they'll understand a bit better the reason for the maternity leave situation.</p> <p>Now, having said that, if MM went to testify before Congress on government mandated maternity leave (regardless of what she personally took), that would send a strong messagel. But I don't see that happening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386317 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 06:31:37 +0000 mrbee 2386317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDmommy: Anything is possible, but I heard that she has a ~$160 million severance package. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386313 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 06:22:11 +0000 BandDmommy 2386313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I talked to my husband and he said she is about to get fired. So honestly, not surprised at all she is taking a short maternity leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386299 Sat, 12 Dec 2015 02:21:02 +0000 Purpledaisy 2386299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Nothing really to add. Just wanted to say that reading through this thread I pretty much totally agree with what you have said. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386258 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 23:03:30 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2386258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with what @Adira: is saying about the top down example. Just because the company has a policy in place does not mean that lower-level employees truly have the ability to fully take advantage of that policy without some sort of consequence. If upper-level management does not set the example that fully taking advantage of those policies is encouraged and acceptable, people will feel that they cannot do so without risking hurting their jobs and careers. As unfortunate as it is, it is definitely the company culture in some industries. </p> <p> It is kind of similar to PTO policies. Especially as some companies are shifting towards "unlimited" PTO. It has actually been shown that people take off fewer days when they are offered "unlimited" PTO because the people in higher-level positions do not demonstrate that taking PTO days is acceptable . When higher up management takes very few PTO days, other employees feel that they must follow the same or else risk their job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386238 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 22:34:06 +0000 mrbee 2386238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's great that Mark Zuckerberg is taking paternity leave! But Facebook is doing well lately, and he has a great management team - so he can afford to do that.</p> <p>Yahoo is in the middle of a crazy crisis situation, with the pending spinoff of their core business. There was an article in the Times recently called, "Marissa Mayer Has a Year to Fulfill Yahoo’s Potential"! So she is under crazy pressure, and I'm not surprised she's not taking a longer maternity leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386223 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 22:07:49 +0000 Freckles 2386223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Yes, that's true but it's still unpaid leave. I wonder how are her actions different from women who say that 12 weeks is more than enough time off, or who say that they were dying to get back to work after 3 months? Would people think that hurts support for longer paid parental leave policies in the US? I hope I don't sound antagonistic, just thinking out loud. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386218 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 22:04:50 +0000 Freckles 2386218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: I agree and DH and I have had this debate several times. Of course he ends it with, "do you really want ME to be the trailblazer?" I think this is why it's so great how Sweden requires men to take a leave of absence for their kids (women can't use the months set aside for them). We know we were super lucky (it was good timing since I had both babies at the end of a semester). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/4#post-2386102 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 19:40:35 +0000 Mrs D 2386102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkcupcake: I am very aware I am making assumptions and have continuously admitted so. I just think personally he is saying one thing and doing another - yet receiving no scrutiny for it simply because he is saying what everyone wants to hear.</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: She actually did acknowledge that she has loads of help - which i think is crucial bc it sets her apart from the average working mom who may not have loads of help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2386093 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 19:28:28 +0000 Foodnerd81 2386093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No one has ever mentioned what kind of leave her husband is taking. </p> <p>I see both sides- I can see how it does set a precedent that women don't need to take that much time to bond. She could make more of the fact that she has a host of people making it work for her. She is in a really unique position as such a public figure. </p> <p>But she didn't ask to be a spokesperson for all working women. She happens to be a woman who is in a very public role, but it's mostly so public because she is such a high powered woman. Who says she has to be a spokesperson for all working moms? No bats an eye if a male CEO is taking calls in the delivery room (except maybe his wife). </p> <p>Personally the idea of trying to do anything 2 weeks after birth is laughable, but I don't have the help she does! And I'm making assumptions here, but I'm guessing breastfeeding isn't at the top of her priorities, which is true for tons of women. Whatever.</p> <p>Eta: when I say laughable, I mean for me. Not for everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2386085 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 18:58:52 +0000 gingerbebe 2386085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think as CEO her responsibilities to her company, her thousands of employees, and shareholders is much more important to her than an employer may be to the average employee. The company is shaky and going through huge change as they stake out their future and I don't think any CEO would disconnect for 12 weeks, whether it was a new mother for a baby or a male CEO recovering from a kidney transplant. That's just the job she signed up for. And frankly it's the culture of the industry she works in overall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2386062 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 18:20:28 +0000 Dagny 2386062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lepamplemousse: that is true, it is short-term, but she is still benefitting from having a more flexible work environment for her family while others at Yahoo no longer have that option in general. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2386057 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 18:16:37 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2386057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I think ideally yeah a mom can stay home with baby or babies and breastfeed and rest and all of that. But everyone's situation is different so the bigger picture doesn't mean she won't bond or recover or whatever. I can't see myself working two weeks after having a baby but it's not really my place to say she can't or shouldn't. As long as they are with responsive caregivers (which I'm sure they will be) I think they'll be ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2386036 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:37:45 +0000 lepamplemousse 2386036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dagny: She had eliminated telecommuting because they had discovered that employees who worked from home were much less productive. It's not to say that someone could never work from home but those who never showed up to the office often times abused the telecommuting benefit.</p> <p>The nursery next to her office seems like more of a short term thing so she could return to work so soon. I doubt it will be longterm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2386033 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:33:32 +0000 lepamplemousse 2386033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shannon: I completely agree!</p> <p>@pinkcupcake: To Mrs. D's point, it's highly unlikely that any CEO (male or female) would actually completely disconnect which is why she had brought him up. </p> <p>I think we should all keep in mind that MZ and MM are in very different positions. While they are both CEOs, MZ was the founder of Facebook and has been in that position much longer. MM started at Yahoo maybe 3 years ago? So she has to prove herself as a new CEO and also turn around a declining company. While she is in a prominent position, as Yahoo's CEO her job isn't to advocate longer US maternity leave policies, it's to ensure stockholders have a return on their investment. And stockholders want to know that their CEO is working. </p> <p>I'm disappointed to hear so much harsh criticism about MM for doing what is best for herself and her situation. Women should be supporting each other for whatever their decision is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2386025 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 17:19:18 +0000 Dagny 2386025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To add to the comments about her eliminating the option to telecommute - how can she possibly think it is fair to have a nursery with nannies at her office and not allow parents to telecommute to get a somewhat similar benefit while working. That is totally hypocritical. I mean, they are not exactly the same thing of course, but that really rubs me the wrong way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2386004 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:51:10 +0000 pinkcupcake 2386004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I'm not sure why you seem to have such an issue with Zuckerberg saying he is planning on taking off 2 months. You're making all these speculations about what he is publicly stating versus what he may actually be doing. Not sure what the point is. Is it that horrid that he's supportive of focusing on his new child for 2 months? I'm pretty sure this guy is smart enough to have a plan in place to make sure FB isn't gonna explode while he's checking out (also, pretty sure the BOD wouldn't allow him to do so without a rock solid plan in place). </p> <p>While 2 weeks personally would not be anywhere near enough for me, kudos to this woman for making it worth. She's fortunate enough to have the money to make this happen. </p> <p>We all have different priorities. *Shrug* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2385986 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:33:55 +0000 Maysprout 2385986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: I think your husbands situation is part of the problem. It's hard to keep women in high powered positions when the expectation is that they won't take family leave. It's great he could have a more relaxed schedule for a couple months and had that sort of flexibility. But what if he was the one giving birth, that pressure to come back would still be there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2385984 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:33:35 +0000 Mrs D 2385984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: We do have FMLA that covers us for 12 weeks...it protects your job (or similar) for when you return. You are technically not supposed to work while you are on short term disability - I think its a part of the policy.</p> <p>i agree - its not fair to make her the poster child as she is not your "average working mother".</p> <p>@Kemma: Is it best for a baby to be home with a mom who is having depression over being stuck at home? It isnt a one size fits all situation. For some babies - they may be better if their mom returns to work. Plus - I just dont buy into the criticality of those early weeks for the bonding - but thats just my own personal opinion.</p> <p>I wouldnt trade my early weeks with DD for anything - but I dont think its an absolute must to have a healthy kid! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2385979 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:21:30 +0000 Freckles 2385979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read a lot of the previous comments, but i think she's getting shit for nothing. She is a CEO and yes, executives will be held to a different standard whether they are male or female. I don't expect her to be an example or lead the way for leaves. I also doubt that Zuckerberg is competely disconnecting while on leave so what example does he set for men who go on leave then - that they can take a leave as long as they are still accessible to their employer?</p> <p>Honestly, the problem with leave policies in the US is that there are no government mandated leave policies. Heaven forbid THAT happen, right? That's the only way it's going to happen. It's just like how people take less vacation in companies with unlimited vacation policies. Canada has mat/pat leave BUT women are typically the ones who take most of the leave. A lot of men STILL don't take parental leave. Before DH got tenure, he didn't take official time off for both of our kids because it would look poorly on him. His department was already stretched thin because of sabbaticals and if he took official leave, then someone would have to cover him for his classes and students. Instead, he just went to the office a few times a week but was mainly at home with me for 1-2 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2385974 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:17:52 +0000 Kemma 2385974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can I just say how interesting to me it is that nobody has mentioned how taking such a short leave might effect her children? I'll probably get slammed for this but I absolutely think newborn babies belong with their parents and not with a team of nannies. It's such a cliche but they're only little for such a short period of time and you can never get that time back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/marissa-mayer-gives-birth-more-backlash-re-maternity-plans/page/3#post-2385970 Fri, 11 Dec 2015 16:11:29 +0000 Autumnmama79 2385970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It seems like the giant point thats being overlooked here is that she's NOT 'going back to work' in the traditional sense. As in leaving babies at home or in someones care, being away from them for hours at a time, etc, etc, etc. Someone mentioned she'll have a nursery and staff beside her office? Bahahahaha. Thats NOT 'going back to work'. So, she pops in the office for a couple hours a day while a wet nurse fawns over her newborns next door. Sounds super stressful and exactly like what most mothers go through when they 'return to work'. Its comparing apples to oranges I'm afraid. </p>