Called in sick again. Anyone know about FMLA?

AGFaso

Idk if it's a NY state thing or federal.  But I can't handle work right now. I get more nauseous when I'm stressed out. If I do go to work I can't handle being there for more than 6 hrs.  I have to get a meeting w/HR to find out about manipulating my schedule to part time but I don't know how that would work w/medical coverage? 

Barf.

amygoable

If you've been working there for longer than a year, you are eligible for FMLA. You'll have to check your state's specific laws, but you should be able to keep your job with up to about 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and pregnancy is always covered.

Your HR person should be a great resource about this, and about your medical coverage. I'm not sure if FMLA allows you to keep your coverage, but since you keep your job, it really should mean your benefits stay, too. If your HR person says no, make sure you double check!

I hope this works out easily for you and that you feel less barfy soon!

DowagerCountessofNJ

FMLA leave can be used if you're taking care of an ill relative or a new child.  I don't believe you can use it if you're ill.  I'd think you'd have to take you PTO and then look into disability leave.

Have you talked to your doctor about your nausea?  I know there are prescriptions that you can take to help with the nausea.  If that doesn't work, talk with HR and your boss and see if your responsibilities can be adjusted until the nausea calms down.  Good luck!

ETA:  I stand corrected, you can use it if you're ill but I'm sure your doctor would have to provide you with a diagnosis.

From the US Dept. of Labor's website:

• Twelve workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for:
• the birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth;
• the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement;
• to care for the employee?s spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition;
• a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job;
• any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee?s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is a covered military member on ?covered active duty;?

 

AGFaso

amygoable:

If you've been working there for longer than a year, you are eligible for FMLA. You'll have to check your state's specific laws, but you should be able to keep your job with up to about 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and pregnancy is always covered.

Your HR person should be a great resource about this, and about your medical coverage. I'm not sure if FMLA allows you to keep your coverage, but since you keep your job, it really should mean your benefits stay, too. If your HR person says no, make sure you double check!

I hope this works out easily for you and that you feel less barfy soon!

So if I took some time now, would I not be able to use it after the baby was born?  Do you only get 12 weeks / year?  So if I took 2 weeks now would I have 10 for maternity leave?

AGFaso

Sgt M's Wife:

Have you talked to your doctor about your nausea?  I know there are prescriptions that you can take to help with the nausea.  If that doesn't work, talk with HR and your boss and see if your responsibilities can be adjusted until the nausea calms down.  Good luck

 

Yes, I'm on Zofran.  It's not working.  I am going to call about alternating w/another type of med too, but the office is still closed for holidays.  Thanks for the info!

olivia_eve

I would definitely check with HR.  FMLA is 12 weeks a year, and if you used it now, you would not get it back when you delivered.  So if you took 2 weeks, you would have 10 weeks left.

However, FMLA is unpaid, and I personally don't know many people who use it because of that.  When I had DD, I used a combo of vacation time, sick time, and disability insurance to get me to 12 weeks of maternity leave.

Here's hoping you start feeling better or some new meds help!

LienLa

That's crazy, in my job, I work in a lumber mill and I'm also high risk so when I got pregnant they gave me short term disability, then I get an additional year after the baby is born. But I also live in Alberta so I guess there are big differences between our health care systems.

damabo80

LienLa:

That's crazy, in my job, I work in a lumber mill and I'm also high risk so when I got pregnant they gave me short term disability, then I get an additional year after the baby is born. But I also live in Alberta so I guess there are big differences between our health care systems.

::sends in my application to move to Alberta::

sevenonesix

I was forced to start my maternity leave at 26 weeks due to high blood pressure. My doctor said I could work half days, but my job wouldn't allow it (retail) so I started my FMLA leave. FMLA and disability go hand in hand. 

Here's how it worked for me.

Started FMLA/Mat Leave at 26 weeks, FMLA ended 2 weeks prior to LOs birth - meaning my position was filled with someone else (fine with me, didnt want it back). My disability coverage was extended until 8 weeks after LOs birth. Short Term Disability is any time you're on leave under 6 months (at least at my company).

Luckily, I was a salaried employee so I was paid my full 100% salary for the first 8 weeks of my leave and have been paid weekly by our disability insurance company at 66 2/3rds% ever since and for the rest of my leave (only 4 1/2 more weeks).

So to answer some of your questions, yes you CAN take your FMLA, but it will count against your maternity leave - generally. Do you have PTO or sick time to take? 

ETA: My disability insurance company didn't require a diagnosis, just a note from the dr stating I had pregnancy complications that were preventing me to return to work. 

I didn't realize you were 10w... I would just use up your sick time if you have it. I called in sick quite a bit in the beginning, my work was very understanding - they'd rather me not be there if I didnt feel well.  

AGFaso

natoshacooke:

I was forced to start my maternity leave at 26 weeks due to high blood pressure. My doctor said I could work half days, but my job wouldn't allow it (retail) so I started my FMLA leave. FMLA and disability go hand in hand. 

Here's how it worked for me.

Started FMLA/Mat Leave at 26 weeks, FMLA ended 2 weeks prior to LOs birth - meaning my position was filled with someone else (fine with me, didnt want it back). My disability coverage was extended until 8 weeks after LOs birth. Short Term Disability is any time you're on leave under 6 months (at least at my company).

Luckily, I was a salaried employee so I was paid my full 100% salary for the first 8 weeks of my leave and have been paid weekly by our disability insurance company at 66 2/3rds% ever since and for the rest of my leave (only 4 1/2 more weeks).

So to answer some of your questions, yes you CAN take your FMLA, but it will count against your maternity leave - generally. Do you have PTO or sick time to take? 

ETA: My disability insurance company didn't require a diagnosis, just a note from the dr stating I had pregnancy complications that were preventing me to return to work. 

I didn't realize you were 10w... I would just use up your sick time if you have it. I called in sick quite a bit in the beginning, my work was very understanding - they'd rather me not be there if I didnt feel well.  

I have no sick time.  I only earn it at 3.67 hrs/month worked. (@ 38+hrs/work week) So I don't get anything till the 1st and even then I don't have a half day to use

I do have vacation.  I was hoping to save it for after the baby was born though.  I was specifically wondering if there was a provision of FMLA that I could work reduced hours.  I think the stress that I know I'm going to feel like sh!t when I have to be there for 8 hrs makes my nausea worse, kwim?  I want to go on like half days till I (hopefully) feel better in 2nd tri.

Btw-Cant believe Colin is 3 wks already!! Love the pic!

TheGregory's07

AGFaso:

amygoable:

If you've been working there for longer than a year, you are eligible for FMLA. You'll have to check your state's specific laws, but you should be able to keep your job with up to about 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and pregnancy is always covered.

Your HR person should be a great resource about this, and about your medical coverage. I'm not sure if FMLA allows you to keep your coverage, but since you keep your job, it really should mean your benefits stay, too. If your HR person says no, make sure you double check!

I hope this works out easily for you and that you feel less barfy soon!

So if I took some time now, would I not be able to use it after the baby was born?  Do you only get 12 weeks / year?  So if I took 2 weeks now would I have 10 for maternity leave?

yep, and it sucks.