Maternity Leave and Benefits Questions

0leahmarie

Hi everyone! I haven't seen a thread on leave benefits so I thought I would create one as we might all be planning for our time off. Offer advice and share plans!

My company offers 2 weeks paid maternity leave, and I will use that in conjunction with my PTO (should be roughly 80 hours by December). This will add up to about a month paid. I'm also signed up for short term disability so I have have a percentage of my pay for 6 weeks as well. My question is regarding Long Term Disabilty. I am not currently signed up, but open enrollment is in October so I would like to sign up at that time. Benefits will be effective 1/1/2016. I am due 12/14 so by January first I will have used my PTO and will be on maternity leave, possibly already on short term disability. Does anyone know if my company has to honor the long term disability if it goes into effect while I am already on leave?

Sorry for the long winded question!

Cmagno

Long term disability does not count for pregnancy. I'll take 6 weeks short term and maybe use some vacation time, I'm planning to take 14-16 weeks off and most will be unpaid :-( Thank goodness benefits are through DH because with DD we had to go on cobra for any leave over 3 months. I so wish we had better maternity leave coverage!! I'd say don't waste your money on long term coverage for this, and yes it would be a pre existing condition, I had a friend not get short term disability after birth for that reason.

VesperLove

Ditto to the previous poster. Long term disability usually doesn't apply during pregnancy unless there are complications or some reason where it becomes necessary. Obviously talk to your own HR team but from everything I've heard it does not qualify. I would take your six weeks short term along with the 4 weeks of other time you discussed. Unfortunately, after that, you'll have to talk with your company about what they offer - FMLA, etc. 

0leahmarie

Ah okay. We just bought a new house and I have hoping to bring in as much income as possible so DH doesn't have to kill himself working overtime! FMLA is always an option though. Thank you!

VesperLove

0leahmarie said:

Ah okay. We just bought a new house and I have hoping to bring in as much income as possible so DH doesn't have to kill himself working overtime! FMLA is always an option though. Thank you!

I can't stress enough how helpful a conversation with HR can be. I set up a meeting with our leave specialist and she went over EVERYTHING. I learned so much and it really let me start preparing. There were a few things that I had no idea about and it was really helpful to hear it from someone who knows the ins and outs (rather than just reading it on our website or paperwork).

grkgdss00

kyleneum13 said:

I can't stress enough how helpful a conversation with HR can be. I set up a meeting with our leave specialist and she went over EVERYTHING. I learned so much and it really let me start preparing. There were a few things that I had no idea about and it was really helpful to hear it from someone who knows the ins and outs (rather than just reading it on our website or paperwork).

I work for a small company and we don't have "HR" - so these posts are helpful because we don't have an employee handbook or any sort of policies in place.

trina89

Just curious where do you live ? In Canada we have a maternity leave program through employment insurance and get a year off with 55 percent of our pay. I could not imagine not having this

ketobaby

@trina89 in the United States it is considered "good" to have 6 weeks maternity leave combined with 6weeks short term disability.

0leahmarie

kyleneum13 said:

0leahmarie said:

Ah okay. We just bought a new house and I have hoping to bring in as much income as possible so DH doesn't have to kill himself working overtime! FMLA is always an option though. Thank you!

I can't stress enough how helpful a conversation with HR can be. I set up a meeting with our leave specialist and she went over EVERYTHING. I learned so much and it really let me start preparing. There were a few things that I had no idea about and it was really helpful to hear it from someone who knows the ins and outs (rather than just reading it on our website or paperwork).

Unfortunately I'm up for a big promotion so I haven't shared the news about my pregnancy yet. even though it "shouldn't" make a difference, I work in an office full of men and all the ones with children have stay at home wives. That life just isn't for me is go stir crazy locked in a house but I have a feeling they wouldn't feel that way and it would effect my promotion. But I will have the discussion with them during open enrollment after I share my news!

0leahmarie

trina89 said:

Just curious where do you live ? In Canada we have a maternity leave program through employment insurance and get a year off with 55 percent of our pay. I could not imagine not having this

I'm in Florida. In the U.S. employers don't have to offer paid maternity so it can vary by company.

ssinnwell

My last pregnancy I got 8 weeks at 66% pay and then whatever paid time off I had banked.... so yeah it sucked.

I work for a different company now and I get 6-8 weeks disability 100% paid depending on delivery method and another 6 weeks full paid as parental leave... this I can take anytime I want during the first year with baby, thinking I will take all of it at once... but we shall see.

I know several people that I used to work with that got part time 2nd jobs to save up money while pregnant due to how paid maternity leave benefits are in the US!

0leahmarie

I used to bartend and winter is season in south Florida. So I've been contemplating the idea of bartending/serving a couple nights a week while on leave so DH can be home with the newborn at night.

In the United States (Florida) - Does anyone know if I would be unable to get a restaurant job if I am on "disability" at my full time job. I assume it wouldn't matter while using my PTO and maternity leave, but I could see if it effected short term disability eligibility.

czirbs

I work in HR with benefits and leave, and previous posters are right about long-term disability. The one thing I would stress beyond talking to your HR office (if you have one) is that FMLA guarantees you 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave, and it runs concurrently with any paid leave you are taking. So if you take 6 weeks short term disability and then 4 weeks of PTO, you have also then used 10 of your 12 weeks of FMLA.

Capricornbaby4

grkgdss00 said:

kyleneum13 said:

I can't stress enough how helpful a conversation with HR can be. I set up a meeting with our leave specialist and she went over EVERYTHING. I learned so much and it really let me start preparing. There were a few things that I had no idea about and it was really helpful to hear it from someone who knows the ins and outs (rather than just reading it on our website or paperwork).

I work for a small company and we don't have "HR" - so these posts are helpful because we don't have an employee handbook or any sort of policies in place.

@grkgdss00 I'm in the same situation. I live in California and I work for a small company with no benefits, no HR Dept and the employee handbook is pretty much useless.

I love my job but I'm the only one who does this job so it's up to me to train someone for when I'm gone. I'm hoping to take 12 weeks unpaid leave with help from short term disability.

My husband lost his job with full benefits just as we found out I was pregnant so he is still looking for a job. Ugh

jessejasonbaby

Just to clarify, in Canada parents can take the year off at 55% pay from EI if they have been employed and have paid into it. I am a business owner in canada and therefore self employed. My employees are entitled to this benefit but i am not. The employees pay into the benefits for EI on every pay check and yhr employer has to match that amount. It is very expensive and i wonder if it would be better if it were privatized( this coming from a liberal lol)

Praying41

I get 6 weeks ST disability paid at 70% then if all goes well will have about 3 weeks pto saved up by then. I'm planning to take the full 12 FMLA weeks allowed so that'll leave me with 3 unpaid. DH is planning to take 2 weeks off once baby is born to help out and help get adjusted which I'm excited about but his PTO doesn't kick in till January so that will be completely unpaid which stinks. But we have started saving for this and hopefully will have enough in savings by then to cover all the unpaid leave. Requires us to really scrimp and scrape now and no babymoon but I think it'll be worth it in the end. I wish US was better bout maternity leave. I'm the lucky one that actually has company paid ST disability but I know many don't. It's ridiculous how insignificant US makes pregnancy and motherhood.

Praying41

On the bright side, as long as our babies are born by December 31st, we get a full personal exemption on tax return. I'll take all I can get. Haha!

VesperLove

I responded but didn't include what my company does in case that's helpful.

We get 6 weeks PT disability (or 8 weeks for C-section) and it is fully paid as long as you have sick days to cover it. We get a ton of sick days though (we have a bank of 13 weeks that refills year to year, I think so people CAN get paid for ST disability every time). So, I'll have 6-8 weeks of PT disability paid. Then I'll be using FMLA and our company requires that we use vacation/holiday days to get paid for whatever days of that we can. So for example, I'll have three weeks of vacation saved up at that point. So, my first three weeks of FMLA will be paid but I'll also be using up my vacation/holiday hours. If I decide to continue with more FMLA once vacation days are gone then it would be unpaid.

They are also willing to split up the vacation days over the FMLA weeks so I don't end up with no paycheck at any point. Meaning, if I want to take six weeks of FMLA, they could do the first week vacation days, the second week unpaid, the third week vacation , the fourth week unpaid, so in the end I end up with half a pay check each month instead of no paycheck at all.

But, the only crappy part in my eyes is that technically anything more the 4 weeks also qualifies as a leave of absence which means I don't accrue vacation days while I'm gone. My company shuts down from Christmas through the new year which usually would not have to count as vacation days (which would give me more vacation available to use) but I won't get those  

grkgdss00

@capricornbaby4 - yep, exact same situation. I'm in CA too. Thankfully we have that 6 week partial SDI at 55% (and 4 weeks before), but i'm hoping for 12 weeks also. I'll only have 1 week of vacation accrued by that time (used a ton last year for my honeymoon). I plan on working as far as I can. I've been already starting my research. Pregnancy Disability Leave (CA) covers us for 4 months of job protected, unpaid leave. I guess we better start saving! I can't imagine going back to work and leaving my 6 week old I'm already depressed about it.

chewie5990

In Texas it's my understanding that you have to apply for short term disability prior to conception..which really stinks for those of us with surprise babies on the way! My job only offers FMLA so 12 weeks unpaid. I can used my vacation time but will only have about a week and a half saved up by the time baby comes.

hummingbird35

Aaaagh this stresses me out. Stupid U.S. I'm moving to Sweden.

whit3183

Even if your company doesn't have an HR department, there should still be someone who is responsible for benefits.  Also, with regard to STD and LTD, keep in mind that it is the disability benefits company that makes the determine regarding eligibility (not your employer), and usually they will have a 1-800 number for you to call with eligibility questions. 

@chewie5990 I think that means that you have to be enrolled in the STD program before conception, not that you have to submit a claim before then (if that's what you're thinking).  If your company offers STD, you're probably already enrolled. 

BkKittyMama

Same boat on the no paid time off and I work for a school! It does not pay to be in the administration...

I was wondering when people are going to start their leave. This is our first and my thought is to work up until my water breaks so I can have more time with the baby. Is this realistic? What are you all planning to do ?

rain0831boww

Saving all my time. From what I know I get the following: 6 weeks parental, 44 sick days, 22 vacation. I am going to schedule an appointment with HR to figure out if I can take it all consecutively, if I am able to take short term disability, or what my options are. It's awesome what other countries get and I'm even lucky I get this. 

Bvm5q

I would not get a job while you're on disability. In order to qualify, you need a doctor's note stating that you need the 6 weeks off (depending on your type of delivery) so I think if you tried to work during this time you may be in violation of the terms of the disability. I would definitely check before attempting anything

kategancla

My only option is going to be FMLA and my accumulated sick leave. I should have about two weeks worth built up by December. I need to talk to HR to figure Out if I'll be able to collect a paycheck through Christmas break if I use paid sick leave up to the time everyone else gets out (I'm a teacher).

Whovian84

I'm in the same boat as all the other U.S. ladies--vacation days + unpaid FMLA. I work for the federal government and they do not even offer short or long term disability for their employees. When I realized that I had to go back to work after 2 months I got mad. So, I did some research. 

Do you all know that we are the ONLY industrialized nation that does not mandate paid maternity leave and that Lesotho, Swaziland and Papua New Guinea are the only other countries in the world that do not? And that only 16% of companies in this country offer paid maternity leave? It honestly shows how little women (and families) are valued. The sad thing is, we've gotten so used to it and think that this is normal and not a right that women should have to be able to financially support their family while still having that crucial baby bonding time.

Ok, I'll get off of my soapbox now. But really, knowledge is power. Also there is some new paid leave legislation that might (hopefully) be passed this next year.

hummingbird35

@whovian84 it's actually disgusting. We are also one of like 2 or 3 countries in the world that refused to ratify a global bill of rights for women (I think the other two are Saudi Arabia and Papua New Guinea). President Obama presented it to congress and it was turned away because it supports the right to choose. Sometimes this country makes me sick. And we THINK we're sooo progressive!!

Sophjust

I'm in Australia and most employers have to 'hold' your job for you for 1 year. You get paid (through the government) for 18 weeks paid parental leave after birth- could not imagine only be able to get 6 weeks!!!

dec15mum

In the UK your job must be held for you, by law you need 2 weeks off and you can take 26 weeks on top of that. If you've worked with a company longer than 6 months you're entitled to another 26 weeks, so you get a year off maternity!
I can't believe some of you guys won't even get paid or allowed to take lots of time off!

babystrick2015

My company requires you to use your personal time (sick, vacation, petty & comp) to go out on maternity leave. We can also purchase a short term disability plan, which I did when we start thinking about getting pregnant 2 years ago. I will be paid my personal time plus the short term disability at the same time. Once my personal time runs out I will just get short term disability and will then have to pay my company for my benefits, around $350 a month.

babystrick2015

My company requires you to use your personal time (sick, vacation, petty & comp) to go out on maternity leave. We can also purchase a short term disability plan, which I did when we start thinking about getting pregnant 2 years ago. I will be paid my personal time plus the short term disability at the same time. Once my personal time runs out I will just get short term disability and will then have to pay my company for my benefits, around $350 a month.

LandOfNope

I have a management position...but no benefits. no sick time, no vacation days, no short term disability. I will probably take 2 weeks off and then be forced back to work part time. =( At least I make my own hours and should be able to work from home at least one day a week.. 

redfallon

babystrick2015 said:

My company requires you to use your personal time (sick, vacation, petty & comp) to go out on maternity leave. We can also purchase a short term disability plan, which I did when we start thinking about getting pregnant 2 years ago. I will be paid my personal time plus the short term disability at the same time. Once my personal time runs out I will just get short term disability and will then have to pay my company for my benefits, around $350 a month.

Isn't that crazy that you'll have to pay your company for you to take time off for your baby? 

paocle

In Argentina we get 3 months maternity leave. You can get 3 more non paid leave and ur company has to keep ur job. There are now discussions about extending it to 4 months (recomended by WHO), and one month for the father (now only 3 days, though common practise is a week). That can make it more even. Men do not know how much work a baby involves, and it needs to change the conception that kids is a women job.
Also, if u have private insurance or work paid, ur health insurance has to cover 100% of all expenses during pregnancy, and 1 year of all expenses of the baby. That means, health treatments, medication, even vitamins and creams not to get stretch marks.

sheinritz

I will be using all my sick, vacation, legal holidays, and personal days. It should be equal to about 8-12 weeks by December. I'm thankful I get a lot of vacation each year and can bank up to one prior year of vacation to be used later. I will be using unpaid leave for any days that I'm not covering with paid leave for my full 12 weeks of FMLA... I'm not missing out on this milestone for my job.

CMDD

Tell us more about FMLA, those who know. I'm a private contractor, therefore no paid time off or sick days or anything like that. Should or could I look into something like FMLA?

mowelt

I am a teacher in the U.S. and we have very similar enrollment time for benefits. We choose our benefits and insurance every October and they don't start until January 1. We wanted to start TTC this past October but when I signed up for benefits they said I wouldn't get the short term disability or the hospital indemnity plan if I was pregnant before January 1 because pregnancy is a pre existing condition. So we actually waited to start trying until after January to get the benefits. For us it was worth it to wait a couple months to get the benefits but it's definitely something you have to plan for in advance which I didn't realize until talking to them. I would definitely talk to your HR department but my guess is that you can't sign up now for benefits of you are already pregnant.

mowelt

CMDD said:

Tell us more about FMLA, those who know. I'm a private contractor, therefore no paid time off or sick days or anything like that. Should or could I look into something like FMLA?

I would definitely look into it. I am pretty sure FMLA is eligible to all employees in th U.S. as long as you qualify and pregnancy is a qualifying reason. The only problem is you don't get paid during those 12 weeks so it just depends on your situation. It's definitely something to look into though.

whatabout2ndbreakfast

to get FMLA you need to be at your employer for 12 months and the employer has to have 50+ employees within 75 miles (like a bank with branches or something would qualify).  

We have STD at the hospital I work at, but you can only use it after you're out for 45 days, and for a regular pregnancy you can return after 6 weeks (42 days) so we can't use our STD benefits unless there's complications. :[  We do get some sick time and I've been saving PTO, but I will probably take 8 weeks paid and 2 weeks unpaid

BostonBaby1

@CMDD I could be wrong, but I think those of us who are private contractors or business owners will simply get no benefits from FMLA.

Also, don't know about your DH's workload but I know even though my DH technically gets 3 sick days per year and 1-2 weeks vacation time, actually getting to use those days all in a row is going to be a challenge (to say the least.) We would probably be lucky if my DH could take off two weeks unpaid. If he gets that without a hassle, I'd be surprised. I hope your DH has a better situation!!!