Extending Your Maternity Leave

pregnantchica · September 2009

Tell me that I'm not the only one already plotting ways to extend their leave....

I only get six weeks maternity and in order to extend it for another 4-6 weeks, there has to be a medical reason...anyone else?

Daisy582 · September 2009

Not plotting anything right now other than taking it one day at a time and being prepared to have a substitute plan ready to go every day when I leave. Are you trying to get your doctor to put you on bedrest?

Klafountain · September 2009

i can take up to 12 addl weeks under fmla but its unpaid so im only gonna take a couple extra weeks

Rosieoutlook · September 2009

I'm taking my paid time (6 weeks) and then going to be a SAHM! YAY!

pregnantchica · September 2009

Daisy582:

Not plotting anything right now other than taking it one day at a time and being prepared to have a substitute plan ready to go every day when I leave. Are you trying to get your doctor to put you on bedrest?

No, but when I'm on leave and my six weeks are up, I'd like to extend my leave for another 4-6 six weeks.

metta1313 · September 2009

Klafountain:
i can take up to 12 addl weeks under fmla but its unpaid so im only gonna take a couple extra weeks

This. I get 6 weeks maternity leave and plan on taking more time under fmla. I only get paid for the sick leave I have accrued so the rest will be unpaid.

pregnantchica · September 2009

metta1313:

Klafountain:
i can take up to 12 addl weeks under fmla but its unpaid so im only gonna take a couple extra weeks

This. I get 6 weeks maternity leave and plan on taking more time under fmla. I only get paid for the sick leave I have accrued so the rest will be unpaid.

I have sick days, but can only use them with a medical reason. I'm just worried that the fmla will be nowhere near my regular salary and we can't survive on DHs' salary alone.

SusieQ1982 · September 2009

I think it's heartbreaking that you American ladies get such a little amount of time with your babies.

high_hopes · September 2009

I am fortunate to have 12 weeks off paid. Can't complain at all.

ilenegrace · September 2009

My friend flat out asked her doctor at her 6 week pp appt if there was any reason she could think of extending her disability and she did a whole extra 4 weeks it was awesome... guess it can't hurt to just ask. By the way there was nothing wrong with her and really no legitimate reason for it to be extended, but the dr was nice enough to do it anyways.

mrsjrmiller · September 2009

ilenegrace:
My friend flat out asked her doctor at her 6 week pp appt if there was any reason she could think of extending her disability and she did a whole extra 4 weeks it was awesome... guess it can't hurt to just ask. By the way there was nothing wrong with her and really no legitimate reason for it to be extended, but the dr was nice enough to do it anyways.

That is nice that her dr. did that but also makes it hard for the people who have legitimate medical reasons and their employer gives them a hard time because this "trick" is well known. I think what needs to happen is that America needs to rethink maternity/paternity leave and support legislation to make a longer time acceptable. It is awful that mother's have to return to work so early because they will lose their job or cannot afford to stay out longer...

C-Lo · September 2009

mrsjrmiller:

ilenegrace:
My friend flat out asked her doctor at her 6 week pp appt if there was any reason she could think of extending her disability and she did a whole extra 4 weeks it was awesome... guess it can't hurt to just ask. By the way there was nothing wrong with her and really no legitimate reason for it to be extended, but the dr was nice enough to do it anyways.

That is nice that her dr. did that but also makes it hard for the people who have legitimate medical reasons and their employer gives them a hard time because this "trick" is well known. I think what needs to happen is that America needs to rethink maternity/paternity leave and support legislation to make a longer time acceptable. It is awful that mother's have to return to work so early because they will lose their job or cannot afford to stay out longer...

agreed-yet it is also fraud (not to be a downer). Disability leave if for someone who is unable to work not that they don't want to work.

This is reason for higher premiums causing some employers to offer less salary for their employees during disability.

I couldn't imagine going back to work after 6wks but some people do it.

C-Lo · September 2009

not sure where you work but I noticed you had your wedding in NJ...

You may be eligible for add'l benefits under NJ state disability. You should ask your HR about state disability benefits as they are less strict than regular STD benefits.

blondgurl · September 2009

SusieQ1982:
I think it's heartbreaking that you American ladies get such a little amount of time with your babies.

I feel that 6 weeks isn't enough for me esp since this is my first and last. I am seriously thinking about cutting back on my days and working later hours, when my husband is home. I don't feel comfortable with putting her in childcare with all this flu going around.

anhella · September 2009

marisol&alan:
metta1313:

Klafountain:
i can take up to 12 addl weeks under fmla but its unpaid so im only gonna take a couple extra weeks

This. I get 6 weeks maternity leave and plan on taking more time under fmla. I only get paid for the sick leave I have accrued so the rest will be unpaid.

I have sick days, but can only use them with a medical reason. I'm just worried that the fmla will be nowhere near my regular salary and we can't survive on DHs' salary alone.

FYI, FMLA does not pay you anything, it just protects your job for 12 weeks. State disability (or a personal plan) is what pays you.

pregnantchica · September 2009

anhella:
marisol&alan:
metta1313:

Klafountain:
i can take up to 12 addl weeks under fmla but its unpaid so im only gonna take a couple extra weeks

This. I get 6 weeks maternity leave and plan on taking more time under fmla. I only get paid for the sick leave I have accrued so the rest will be unpaid.

I have sick days, but can only use them with a medical reason. I'm just worried that the fmla will be nowhere near my regular salary and we can't survive on DHs' salary alone.

FYI, FMLA does not pay you anything, it just protects your job for 12 weeks. State disability (or a personal plan) is what pays you.

Thanks for the info! I'm going to see my union rep on Friday to see what they suggest. I also have disability, so we'll see...

pregnantchica · September 2009

C-Lo:

not sure where you work but I noticed you had your wedding in NJ...

You may be eligible for add'l benefits under NJ state disability. You should ask your HR about state disability benefits as they are less strict than regular STD benefits.

Yes, I do live in Jersey. As teachers, we don't get state disability, but I do pay into a disability insurance....it's soooo vague in our district how things work. No one actually knows how it works, so I'll just see our union on Friday to figure this out. But, my friend works in the same district and she had to basically complain about back pains in order to stay home another two weeks with the baby.

This is my first and probably my last child, so I'd like to take more time at home with her.....

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