NJ Maternity Leave

Heartstrings13

I am going to post this on my local board, but it is far from active, so I'm going to start here.

Anyone in NJ - a friend of mine told me she received 18 weeks maternity leave.  6 weeks paid by her company, 6 weeks FMLA and 6 weeks baby-bonding.  When I try to look this up, it seems like FMLA and baby-bonding are one and the same.  She stated that baby-bonding was separate and was fairly new to NJ.  Has anyone heard of this??

rnbeth477

Wow! I have not heard of this, but how awesome if it's true!

Kie310

I always read it as being the same too. But nope, I have a friend who too got the 18 weeks, 6 of which was "baby-bonding".

Heartstrings13

Awesome! I plan on talking with HR in a few weeks, but wanted to have my ducks in a row. Now to find something showing this... Thanks!

olp920

It is in fact separate. My dr wrote me out of work at 36 weeks and I will be covered by short term disability insurance paid and FMLA job protection until I am cleared to go back probably 6 to 8 weeks after his birth. Then I can go on FLI paid bonding time and FLA job protection for bonding time for up to another 6 weeks paid and another 20 weeks of unpaid time off. Its confusing in NJ but its nice to have the bonding time. If your husband qualifies at his job he is also eligible for bonding time of his own.

mejane123

Part of it depends on where you work.  I work in a school district, and the way leave works there is, you can (if you want to) use up as many sick/personal days as you have saved up.  Then, there's the 12 weeks of FMLA/bonding time (this includes newborns, adopted children, and any child under the age of 18) - 6 is 2/3 pay and 6 is unpaid. You can take it consecutively or intermittently over the course of a year.  But I know there are restrictions.  You have to have worked with the organization for a certain amount of years/hours and some places require you to take at least two weeks of PTO before starting the FMLA. This link is the FAQ (although I'm sure you've already read it).  

https://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/fli/content/fli_faq.html 

And this one is a guide to FML insurance.  I liked this one the best, it was a bit clearer than the FAQ.  

https://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/forms_pdfs/tdi/WPR-119.pdf

Sorry if they're not clicky.  

If you're confused, talk to your employer, specifically payroll/HR.  My payroll lady was absolutely awesome at answering my questions and laying out all my options for me.

Good luck!  I know I was horribly confused until I actually talked to someone.   

ETA: I'm not really sure how taking disability works, but I should probably find out.  That's also something your employer/HR can probably answer for you.  I'm not sure what the requirements/restrictions are for that.   

hmontty

We had our DD in March 2011. My DH was able to get paid FMLA from the state for paternity leave, but only after he used two weeks of vacation time first. I THINK it was 6 weeks...I do remember that he could use that 6 weeks anytime he wanted in the first year -- he didn't have to use it all at once or right after the birth.

 

jacksmom119

You should also note that you have to work for a company that has over 50 employees I believe this is the magic number. You are also allowed 4 weeks prior under job protection but nt sure of they are paid.
This is what I will be getting

4 weeks prior full pay
6 weeks disability pay vaginal. 8 weeks csec. This you get a check for
6 weeks Fmla? I think this is what it's called. Either way its basically disability pay. You receive a debit card for the full amount and can withdraw cash.
6 weeks baby bonding no pay

The most you are allowed out with job protection is about 5.5 months. Teachers are different then corporate. They have their own rules!

CP0979

I work for a hospital in nj.  Here is my plan,

first week off is my vacation time 

next 6 wks is disability (8 for c/s) which is 2/3 paid and the other 1/3 I can use my vacation time to pay

then one week of vacation time 

then 12 wks of bonding/family at 2/3 paid and 1/3 paid using my vacation time

 so in total I'm entitled to 20-22 wks (includes 2 wks of vacation time) depending on how I deliver. This is all post baby. I could take up to 4 wks prior to delivery if I needed to as well.

i actually only plan on taking 16 Wks post baby as I thought my boss would not be happy with anything more than that but he said he would be flexible with it... Basically I could if I wanted to though and he can't say or do anything about it!

gplove94

I live in NJ and I'm getting:

 4 weeks short term disability prior to the birth

8 weeks paid by my company after that

6 weeks FMLA (paid up to 80% of pay)

6 weeks bonding (no pay)

NovRain27

How i understand NJ leave is as follows:

4 weeks prior (if you are instructed to take it or want to/get it signed off by a doctor)

6 weeks after birth for vaginal or 8 weeks after birth for C-Section for Disability

6 weeks for Family Leave Insurance.

My company doesn't have any private plans so that is all i am allowed to take but a lot of companies/schools have their own plan also which adds onto this. The Disability and the Family Leave Insurance is paid.

Heartstrings13

Thank you all so much. My biggest concern is that this is still fairly new and my company (well over 50 employees) is based out of SC, so I wanted as much information as possible before talking with them. I'm sure that someone in the HR department has to be well-versed in NJ law, but at least now I know I have my bases covered. Thanks again!!!