3rd Trimester
Difference between FMLA and short term disability.
Someone at work just asked me why I didn't take short term disability instead of FMLA because you get paid 60% of your pay check when your on STD. My husband is between jobs right now so we are living on my paycheck which has been fine so far. If I randomly get put on bed rest for some reason we are screwed though. My work does not give PAID maternity leave so I have a specific amt of vacation/sick time that I plan on depleating to stay home for 8 weeks. I didnt' know a pregnancy could be with short term disability since it's not an "illness" . I really don't know much about it at all and what the rules are. Its too late now I'm sure but I was just curious if anyone knows more about it. I would think a lot more women would opt for getting paid a small pay check while they are on maternity leave if they could so their must be a reason why more women aren't on it for their pregnancy's.
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Re: Difference between FMLA and short term disability.
If you have STD already, it is not too late... talk to HR to get information. My STD pays 66% for 6-8 weeks. FMLA gives me 12 weeks unpaid so I would have the option of taking an additional 6-4 weeks upaid. Unfortunately if you don't have it I would assume it is too late.
This. When I go on maternity leave, I'll use FMLA to be absent from work for 12 weeks. I'll use STD to get paid for 6 weeks during that time.
Cool. I will call my HR dept today and ask what our policy is. If I could get paid while I'm on maternity leave that would be awesome.
This. Some employers offer STD as part of your benefits package, some do not. At my old job, I had to pay into STD. STD only covered pregnancy if you purchased it BEFORE you got pg, or it was considered a pre-existing condition. At my current job, I get STD pay for as long as I'm considered out for "medical leave" (in my case, would be 6 weeks for vaginal delivery). Check with your HR department to see if you qualify for some paid leave.
You can take medical leave, as prescribed by your doctor, for 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery and 8 weeks for a c-section. Under FMLA, you can take up to 12 weeks leave (if you qualify based on the parameters under the law) and are guaranteed to have your job waiting for you when you get back. The 12 weeks is TOTAL, so it's not in addition to medical leave. Make sense?
This exactly! All FMLA does is guarantee that you have a job to come back to. STD is completely separate and can be used at the same time as FMLA.
This. If I wanted STD, I had to sign up and start paying into it prior to becoming pregnant. It's typically not just a free partial paycheck.
This. I have this situation where I work. STD insurance is part of our benefits package at no cost to us, but I have to take my sick leave/accured vacation prior. In my case (and I know I'm fortunate), I've banked enough time that I'll have more sick/vacation time than I need to cover a full FMLA leave of 12 weeks, so I won't be using the STD coverage. A note about STD if it's available to you--in many cases, there is a waiting period of about 7 days before STD kicks in and starts paying out, but if it's available to you, you should check into it & take it if possible. Good luck!