Anyone work for Kohls? Come in!

ambuhsmilesx32

Hello ladies, if you work for Kohls please comment! I think i'll be getting offered a job there, are they covered under the FLMA law?

ambuhsmilesx32

LoisLane23:

I don't work for Kohl's, but you have to work there for a year or work 1200 hours to be eligible for FMLA.

 

So doesn't that mean they could technically fire me during the course of being absent? 

Ken&Anna

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) applies to any company with 50 or more employees, so it definitely applies to Kohls.  Employees are eligible to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child (as well as any number of other family circumstances including death, caring for a sick spouse, child, or parent, etc.) after having worked for a year or 1200 hours (whichever comes first).  During that 12-week period of time, they may not fire you and when you return to work after 12 weeks they are required to give you a similar job back.  It doesn't have to be the exact same job, but similar in terms of job duties, pay, hours, etc.

If you start in the next few weeks for Kohls, you will not have worked for a year by the time your baby is born, so you will not be eligible to take FMLA.  I am not familiar with Kohls' policies but they may have a separate policy regarding Maternity leave (either paid or unpaid).  If you are workingn for Kohls at the time your baby is born, and you have to take time off, they will be able to fire you because you will not be covered under FMLA. 

I hope that helps--please let me know if you have any other questions. 

ambuhsmilesx32

Ken&Anna:

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) applies to any company with 50 or more employees, so it definitely applies to Kohls.  Employees are eligible to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child (as well as any number of other family circumstances including death, caring for a sick spouse, child, or parent, etc.) after having worked for a year or 1200 hours (whichever comes first).  During that 12-week period of time, they may not fire you and when you return to work after 12 weeks they are required to give you a similar job back.  It doesn't have to be the exact same job, but similar in terms of job duties, pay, hours, etc.

If you start in the next few weeks for Kohls, you will not have worked for a year by the time your baby is born, so you will not be eligible to take FMLA.  I am not familiar with Kohls' policies but they may have a separate policy regarding Maternity leave (either paid or unpaid).  If you are workingn for Kohls at the time your baby is born, and you have to take time off, they will be able to fire you because you will not be covered under FMLA. 

I hope that helps--please let me know if you have any other questions. 

 

This makes me so nervous. I just had a interview today. I think it's ridiculous that they have the right to fire you after leave. It's not as if we have a choice... 

NovBaby2012

I would double check your FMLA for your state and then you could be covered immediately after you start, especially if you are a full-time employee. A waiting period may not necessarily apply. Also, check the Kohl's policy. When you receive the offer, ask about the benefits.

MarriedInAFever

Are you eligible at your current job? Sticking it out there at least pt may be worth it.

ambuhsmilesx32

MarriedInAFever:

Are you eligible at your current job? Sticking it out there at least pt may be worth it.

 

Nope, moved out of state this past july. And this job is only employed with like 7 people, she doesn't offer that kind of stuff, we already talked about it.

the chances of a job firing me on leave is very slim, so i'm not going to stressing over it, and if they do i can file for unemployment during that time until i find another job, so it will be okay hopefully. 

StephanieDM

There is no job you can get at this point to be covered under FMLA for your pregnancy-related absences and maternity leave. As PP said, you will have to have been working there for a year to qualify and that won't be the case by the time your LO is born. This isn't a Kohl's policy, but part of FMLA qualifications.

If it were me, I wouldn't tell them about the pregnancy until you are further along and already working there. Hopefully they have a maternity leave policy in place that will cover you, but there are still no guarantees as they are not legally obligated to hold your position for you. If you are let go, you can apply for unemployment at that point. If you take the job, just work hard to prove yourself as a valuable asset to their store, and try not to miss work for appointments when at all possible. Good luck!

ambuhsmilesx32

LoisLane23:

ambuhsmilesx32:

MarriedInAFever:

Are you eligible at your current job? Sticking it out there at least pt may be worth it.

 

Nope, moved out of state this past july. And this job is only employed with like 7 people, she doesn't offer that kind of stuff, we already talked about it.

the chances of a job firing me on leave is very slim, so i'm not going to stressing over it, and if they do i can file for unemployment during that time until i find another job, so it will be okay hopefully. 

 

I already KNOW they don't LEGALLY have to hold my job. I'm saying the chances of that happening are SLIM. Most places will hold your job for you as long as your proving yourself at work etc. I already know this due to past experience. 

It's not about them firing you, but they legally don't have to hold your job for you while you are gone.

mzcmba

Regardless of whether you qualify for FMLA, you may qualify for benefits at Kohls, which could be better.

I found this site - it looks like there is a Parental Leave video. Maybe search on the site and see if you can find out when you qualify for benefits? (Some companies start on day one, some require only 3 months)

https://www.kohlscareers.com/aboutkohls/benefits/

Good luck! 

ambuhsmilesx32

mzcmba:

Regardless of whether you qualify for FMLA, you may qualify for benefits at Kohls, which could be better.

I found this site - it looks like there is a Parental Leave video. Maybe search on the site and see if you can find out when you qualify for benefits? (Some companies start on day one, some require only 3 months)

https://www.kohlscareers.com/aboutkohls/benefits/

Good luck! 

 

Thank you very much! I looked at it, doesn't show much! I'll just ask her upon when the job starts!  

angelinmind

I used to work there. Unless i'm remembering incorrectly: The only people to get medical benefits are the people who work specific jobs in the store. (Children's Supervisor, Men's Supervisor, Women's and Juniors Supervisor; Shoe Specialist; Home supervisor; jewelery specialist; admin). But the discount on clothes and hard goods is pretty awesome. Like 15% for clothes and 10% for home/shoes

SunnyDaze365

StephanieDM:

If it were me, I wouldn't tell them about the pregnancy until you are further along and already working there. Hopefully they have a maternity leave policy in place that will cover you, but there are still no guarantees as they are not legally obligated to hold your position for you. If you are let go, you can apply for unemployment at that point. If you take the job, just work hard to prove yourself as a valuable asset to their store, and try not to miss work for appointments when at all possible. Good luck!

 I think this is really sound advice!  My mom worked at a Kohls for a while but then had to take leave to have foot surgery (quite a long time off between the surgeries and recovery).  She had already proved herself as a valued employee, so her manager was more than happy to bring her back once she was ready.

MarriedInAFever

ambuhsmilesx32:

MarriedInAFever:

Are you eligible at your current job? Sticking it out there at least pt may be worth it.

 

Nope, moved out of state this past july. And this job is only employed with like 7 people, she doesn't offer that kind of stuff, we already talked about it.

the chances of a job firing me on leave is very slim, so i'm not going to stressing over it, and if they do i can file for unemployment during that time until i find another job, so it will be okay hopefully. 

Well, that sucks unfortunately. If I were you, I would just be honest about your situation (at least into second tri) and assure them that you would love to return after maternity leave. Worst case scenario, they terminate your employment during your leave (which I would think is unlikely), given the circumstances you should still be in good standing with the store and could be rehired.

Good luck! And congrats on the job opportunity 

jfgreer

Hi, lurking from 2nd Tri.

Are you talking about Kohl's Corporate in Milwaukee?  Or just a Kohl's store? 

DH works at corporate, PPs are in that you would not legally be covered under FMLA, but they have very good maternity/paternity benefits and I might be able to help you with Wisconsin law on maternity leave.  Let me know if you are talking about corporate.

ETA: Just watched the Parental Leave video that PP posted (thanks!) and it appears that applies to all full-time employees, not just corporate.  If that's the case, it's either 2 or 3 weeks (can't remember which one off the top of my head.)  And I don't think you would have to be there for a year; DH just started there in November and I'm due in August. Hope this helps.

StephanieDM

LoisLane23:

StephanieDM:

There is no job you can get at this point to be covered under FMLA for your pregnancy-related absences and maternity leave. As PP said, you will have to have been working there for a year to qualify and that won't be the case by the time your LO is born. This isn't a Kohl's policy, but part of FMLA qualifications.

If it were me, I wouldn't tell them about the pregnancy until you are further along and already working there. Hopefully they have a maternity leave policy in place that will cover you, but there are still no guarantees as they are not legally obligated to hold your position for you. If you are let go, you can apply for unemployment at that point. If you take the job, just work hard to prove yourself as a valuable asset to their store, and try not to miss work for appointments when at all possible. Good luck!

She is the one leaving though, due to pregnancy. Legally, they don't have to hold her spot, and they don't have to pay unemployment because she's the one leaving on her own free will. They aren't forcing her to leave, she's taking the maternity leave.

Oh I know, but sometimes you can still try and fight it. Like if she came back and then they fired her. Or if they tried to get rid of her prior to her leave or something. I have a friend that was fired and still able to collect after fighting it. I'm just saying its worth a shot. 

Cranang

IT would actually be illegal for you to collect unemployment while on maternity leave.  One of the prerequisites is that you're available for work.  Meaning your doctor has to release you...so you're looking a minimum of 6-8 after the baby is born that you CANNOT collect unemployment.  To do so is fraud.