No Maternity Leave or STD

babyday9

HELP!!  I work for a very small company and we do not have maternity leave or short term disability policies.  I would only be allotted my vacation days which at a maximum would be 18 days.  Does anyone know of any GOOD independent maternity or short term disability coverage plans that would be worth it to invest in?  I am currently not pregnant, but I want to get this in place before the pregnancy becomes a pre-existing condition.

 

Thanks!!

jeffsjayme

Aflac.  Definitely check into it now because you need it before you get pregnant.  They'll pay you for STD, but your employer doesn't have to hold your job for you - just know that.

emu0013

An STD policy does not give you "protected leave." If you are working for a company that is small and therefore doesn't have FLMA protection, I would suggest talking to someone in HR and seeing if / what they do for pregnancy, they may offer you LOA's. Good Luck!

shouldbworkin

I have Aflac at my small company and it paid for 7 weeks of leave at 60% (had a c/s) in a lump sum about 2 weeks after delivery.  My company also gives 12 weeks of leave (unpaid) for certain events, including delivery.  I only took 8, though. 

jlaOK

I work PT and therefore don't have any STD through my employer. I researched independent STD policies and found that it really wasn't worth it for me. The best I found was around $50/month and didn't kick in until 30-60 days. I plan on building my savings during my next pregnancy to help offset my leave. My plan is 8 weeks off (unpaid) and then DH will take 2 weeks off and future LO will go to daycare at 10 weeks old.

prettypinktress

Aflac STD is only available if your employer offers it, as it's only offered through payroll deduction.  You can get the hospital indemnity policy independently though, and it would be a good idea though if you're looking for some extra cash after delivery.

allisons1014

I also had an AFLAC policy.  Mine was just a hospital indeminity policy because I had STD at work.  But it really helped to have an extra cushion.  You and DH can also start saving some money now.  I was allowed to take 12 weeks but I only had PTO to cover 6 weeks so the rest was unpaid.  Putting a small portion of your pay away now will make that time less stressful.

iluvmylab

Honestly, I think you are better off just starting to save money now in some type of safe, interest bearing account. 

mexicolombiana

Yeah you may just not be entitled to anything but UNpaid time off work.  Sucks but welcome to America.  Seriously though, even FMLA doesn't pay you it just gives you 12 weeks unpaid. 

My boss was cool and gave me 6 weeks paid and then just agreed to let me stay home an additional 6 weeks (unpaid of course) and that helped a lot.  So I agree with another PP start saving your money now! 

babyday9

I called Aflac earlier today and they said that my employer had to use Aflac also...??

babyday9

Haha, we don't have an HR....the HR is my boss   I think I am out of luck.  Thanks, though!

babyday9

I am also a PT

 

And I am finding the same things as you.  Just have to start saving!

 

prettypinktress

Again, you can only get Aflac STD if your employer offers it.  However, you can get an Aflac Hospital Indemnity policy independently (which I would recommend).

mexicolombiana

Yup start saving! I would definitely advise that you work something out firmly with your boss about how long you are going to have off of work though, even if it is unpaid.  So make sure you guys sit down and know exactly how many days will be paid (using your vacation/whatever days) and how many weeks you will take off unpaid, and agree on a firm date to go back to work, that way you don't have to worry about it while on ML. 

Kellyt2012

Yeah, I would probably just try to save more now.