Maternity leave? (long)

somebirdseatseeds

Background info: I interned with this company for two summers when I was in college (and partly during the school year for one of those times). I graduated college December 2010, had DD January 2011, went to work June 2011. The new baby is due in October, so I will have been working constantly for over a year by then.

When is it appropriate to discuss maternity leave with work? I am going to tell my boss I'm pregnant near the end of the first trimester if the next doctor appointment goes well. Is it appropriate to discuss maternity leave then? Or should I wait until I'm farther along (a friend said she waited until the end of her second trimester to discuss leave). If it matters I'm going to ask for 12 weeks of leave without pay.

Another thing: our office doesn't fall under FMLA - I don't know why. This office has 38ish people but we have 3 offices, two in state and one in Kansas, totaling over 100 employees.

Only two other women in this office have had a baby while working here (we are in engineering which is generally a male-dominated field). One is salaried like me (she had about 8-9 weeks off because she had some complications near the end of her pregnancy, 6 of those weeks were with pay) and the other lady is hourly (she took 6 weeks off with pay, and then did a step down schedule - working for two days a week for a month, then working for three days a week, etc.. until she was back to full time. She took leave without pay during the time she was off for the stepdown. Both of these women were here 4+ years when they got pregnant.

Any advice on the best way to ask for that much time off? We have budgeted for 12 weeks unpaid (I think I have a better chance of getting 12 weeks off if I don't ask for the standard 6 weeks of paid leave), but one of the ladies from above said she would ask for more than what I want so we can negotiate down to the 12 weeks. The problem is that I feel that I am already asking for a lot. Also, I am not good at negotiating. Any advice? TIA

jlaOK

I also work for a small engineering company in the OKC area (small world). My company doesn't qualify for FMLA and I am the only female in the company. I didn't work their when I took maternity leave with my son but I have already spoken with the owner about planning for more kids in the future. My experience has been that since there aren't many women in engineering, the owners are more willing to make special arrangements.

I would sit down with the owner of the company or at least the manager of your branch ASAP to talk about what you want. I would go in saying that you want to take 12 weeks off and let them make a decision on the pay (you don't want to offer 100% unpaid because they may offer you some time). Once you guys come to a decision, write up a letter stating the arrangement for you both to sign.

I honestly think that it will go way better than you are thinking. I don't know your specific field of engineering (I'm civil) but I have found that the companies in this area are very supportive of women and families.

 Good luck! 

Fianschneid

I'm the only woman in a company that doesn't fall under FLMA, too. My situation is a little different, because when DH and I started talking about having kids, I approached my boss about putting a maternity plan on the books.

That being said, when I told my boss I was pregnant (16 weeks), I brought my plan with me. I told him how long I planned to be gone, what kind of leave I was taking (vacation days, etc) how we would cover my position and had him sign off on it. That way, we had plenty of time and I felt more secure that my position would be there when I got back.

EastCoastBride

Just a note on the FMLA - it's 50 employees w/in a certain radius.  So while you have over 100 employee's, if the offices are far enough spread out, (I want to say 75 miles), you don't fall under FMLA. 

ASmallWonder

I would start with researching any policies or handbooks the company might have before having the discussion so that you know what their "standard" offer is.  If there is none, go in for a meeting to talk about your leave and ask for the 12 weeks and say nothing about the pay.  If they come back and say "6 weeks with pay" counter with 6 weeks of pay, 6 weeks without.  Never start out a "negotiation" with an offer that screws you (i.e. offering to take all unpaid time since you know other people have gotten paid time).

jnealet

Do you have STD?  That's what pays you, not FMLA.  I would check your employee handbook to see if you have it.  6 weeks is a pretty standard time for STD.

somebirdseatseeds

Thanks ladies. I dont know why I'm so worried about it. I will definitely check our employee handbook. I think I will just ask for 12 weeks and see what my boss says from there. I talked to my husband too and he seems to think I am in a good position. My mom has worked there for over 25 years and I have two aunts working there too. Most of the old guys have known me since I was born. DH says that they wont want to create upset so they will probably work with me. jlaOK - the company I work for is civil also. We have two women that are PEs ane a few more female technicians. One of the big reasons we decided to get pregnant now was because I am an EI and will sit to take the PE in 3 years. I dont want to have a newborn or a one year old running around that wont understand that I have to study and cant play.

jlaOK

somebirdseatseeds:

Thanks ladies. I dont know why I'm so worried about it. I will definitely check our employee handbook. I think I will just ask for 12 weeks and see what my boss says from there. I talked to my husband too and he seems to think I am in a good position. My mom has worked there for over 25 years and I have two aunts working there too. Most of the old guys have known me since I was born. DH says that they wont want to create upset so they will probably work with me. jlaOK - the company I work for is civil also. We have two women that are PEs ane a few more female technicians. One of the big reasons we decided to get pregnant now was because I am an EI and will sit to take the PE in 3 years. I dont want to have a newborn or a one year old running around that wont understand that I have to study and cant play.

You are smart for planning around the PE. I took it the first time at 37 weeks pregnant and failed and then passed when DS was 6 months old.