The differences between blood pressure readings on workdays and non-workdays also were greater if women had high blood pressure to begin with, or if they described their jobs as stressful. The great danger is that preeclampsia, untreated, will become full-blown eclampsia. It's a very severe condition. Cindia Cameron, organizing director for group 9to5 National Association of Working Women, says employers can, by their actions, sometimes force a woman to choose between her health and a paycheck. While all employers with a certain number of employees are required to offer unpaid maternity leave, usually 12 weeks, there's nothing saying they can't start the clock early and require her to return immediately after delivery, she points out.
Many employers do offer more.
But after that 12th week, they can replace you. Cameron suggests women be prepared to negotiate. Do a job share. Do light duty. Indeed, the light duty question is one that comes up often at 9to5, but as Cameron points out, no company has to offer light duty unless an employee has been injured on the job.