maternity leave question

ZeeBee2

I should know this, but it's been almost 4 years since I was pg last...

I just started a new job at the beginning of Feb.  Great job, great bene's.  It states in my benefits package that I am eligible for short term disability after 6 months of employment.  So I'm covered if maternity leave is considered short term disability correct?  Maternity leave is not covered anywhere in my info, so I'm assuming that's what it falls under.

I don't want to talk to HR about it yet, just as a precaution.  Wondering if you ladies have similar situations or experiences you could share with me.   Thanks!  I'm in MN too.

JennyJensing

OP, my company is based out of MN and that's what our maternity leave is considered. Although, it should say something in the employee handbook or your health benefits about maternity leave...

Luckily, there are a few girls at my work who have gone through this before me!

lindylogana

Your 6 weeks short term disability will be covered, if you want to take 12 weeks covered by the FMLA you have to be with your employer for 12 months usually.

kpowersw

It also depends on how big your company is on the FMLA side.  Only companies with 50 or more employees need to offer it.  But short term disability will cover some % of your salary for 6 weeks for vag. delivery and 8 weeks for a c-section. 

ProcrastinatingBride

At my company also, there is no maternity leave per se, just short term disability (STD). 

Not sure where PPs are getting the lengths of time for STD though (other than 12 weeks for FMLA).  In my experience, the length of time for STD varies by employer (depending on its contract with the insurer) and could be more than 6 weeks.  And it probably doesn't depend on vaginal delivery v. c-section, as it's used for more than just maternity leave purposes. 

Finally, there may be an "elimination period" during which you have to be out of work but not receiving STD benefits before the benefits will kick in.  I'll be using stored vacation time to get paid during my elimination period, but you may need to make other arrangements if you have an elimination period in your STD policy.

GL.

TTC2010

HA, I asked this during my interview, and they just told me 6 weeks paid maternity leave, but it's 1/2 my salary.  This doens't help you at all...