Anyone requesting additional time off after baby (leave of absence)

Jessica Kovacs · May 2009

I just met with my HR person at work and found out that if I want to take additional time after the 12 week FMLA then I need to request a personal leave of absence.

But it's up to management's discretion if they will approve it. Oh god! I hate this being their choice and not mine.

I am due at the end of September so 12 weeks would have me coming back at Christmas time. I was hoping to extend my leave for more time with the baby/breastfeeding and so I didn't have to transport a little baby to daycare every morning in the coldest months of the year (I'm in Pittsburgh).

Has anyone else requested additonal time like this or plan to?

ktbernie414 · May 2009

I plan on taking a year. My husband is on the Army and we will most likely be getting orders for a duty station sometime in December for May 2010. I only get 6 weeks of leave and I am not about to put my 6 week old baby in daycare, DH really just has no choice but to agree:) As for any longer leave, I will be putting in for 'parental leave' which they cannot deny:) We do have personal leaves as well, you should check with your HR on a parental leave. It is also used for adopting and other like situations. Since I am super close with my parents (we live near home now due to Recruiting orders) I am going to enjoy my last possible year with them and they can enjoy their first grandchild as well because who knows where the Army will send us

golfbride11 · May 2009

This is part of my plan. ?I'm only in my 2nd year at this school and had a m/c and pneumonia in Oct & Nov so my sick days are pretty much wiped out. ?In Sept. I get 14 more days and will buy into the sick bank. ?I'm due at the very beginning of September and will probably only get 6 weeks paid (or whatever the doctor writes for me) but that's only if the sink bank committee votes to allow it. ?So I understand the horror of it being in someone else's hands. ?Beyond that, I'll be out 6 weeks leave of absence - unpaid. ?Our hope is to make it to Thanksgiving or whenever DH finishes golf season and will be able to take over daycare.?

A lot of saving and doing without will be necessary to keep me out of work that long.

GL!?

ashdonne · May 2009

Hi---I am in HR so I might be able to provide a little insight. FMLA is a federal law and provides each employee who meets the eligibility requirements with 12 weeks of time off and guaranteed job protection during that time. This includes the any type of short term disability (delivery of a child is considered as this for your own recovery) and care of someone else (bonding with your newborn child). If you want/need additional time it is reasonable for your employer to approve that on a case by case basis depending on how it will effect business needs. Another option is to resign and then try and get your job back later if you think that might be a possibility--however with this economy it seems too scary for me!

starcolls · May 2009

i am, but i work at a school where virtually everyone who goes out on ML ends up taking the whole year, if they come back at all. we can take 4 weeks before and after the due date (with our own sick days whoo) and then a LOA the whole school year that we give birth. we are still under the medical plan. you can petition for an additional year as well, but all that basically does is hold your job for you.

has it's pros and cons.

brook&nick · May 2009

Hi Jessica,

I'm in Pittsburgh too and the thought of taking an 8 week old out in January to daycare drives me crazy! But I only get 8 weeks off (I'm a teacher) so it doesn't leave many options!

Jessica Kovacs · May 2009

Thanks ladies. I wasn't sure how anyone else was handling the thought of having to get additional leave approved. It sucks having the decision out of your hands.

Want a personalized experience?

Anyone requesting additional time off after baby (leave of absence)

Re: Anyone requesting additional time off after baby (leave of absence)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards