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2nd Trimester
Maternity Leave Dilemma
I have been out of work since Sept 2010- and I FINALLY found a temp to perm position - and about three weeks later I found out I'm pregnant- obviously I do not come close to being able to get FMLA- and since its a temp to perm position I'm freaking out. Also in the midst of this the day AFTER i started work they said the whole office is moving about 55 miles away ( about 1hr and 15 min drive from where I live now).
When should I tell my supervisor? I already told my staffing agency and they are fine with it, but againt hey dont owe me anything in terms of maternity leave- I'm worried that since I'm due in september and my office is moving in the beginning of May- the driving back and forth adn being more then an hour away (without traffic) is going to put to much pressure on me... but then i'm also worried about the fact i need a job and i NEED the insurance- i cant afford cobra and I probably cannot get unemployment either since I just moved to this state(RI) in December
I'm freaking out!!!! any ideas??? HELP!
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Re: Maternity Leave Dilemma
When does the temp job turn permanent? I would try to hide the pregnancy until then.
Also check your works policy for maternity leave (assuming you get hired as perm). Even though you don't qualify for FMLA, they may have more relaxed rules.
If that is the case and you can get some paid maternity leave, I would suck it up and drive until you give birth, then I would start looking for jobs closer.
it depends really on where you live. If you live in a state that offers state protection, those are usually more lenient then FMLA. For instance I live in MA and here you have to be employee for only 3 months and then they protect you for 8 weeks. This doesn't guarantee any pay though. You should check your employee hand book or employee portal site or whatever your company has to see what their maternity policy is. Some companies are more lenient then FMLA, some are not. At my company you have to be here for 6 months and the they will provide you with 10 weeks of full pay.
I would probably hide the pregnancy if you can until you turn permanent. Companies aren't supposed to discriminate due to pregnancy but they often do unfortunately. However I would try to find out what leave you can get before you accept the perm postion.
In terms of the drive... my commute is currently like that and unfortunately you just have to kind of deal with it if the job means that much to you. It sucks but you make it work. Choose a route that passes by a gas station or a coffee shop of something so that you can stop to use the bathroom if you need to. Make sure you've got good music to listen to, or a book on tape and just make the best of it. See if your company has any options to work from home occasionally. My department lets us do it once a week if we need to so I know i"ll probably be utilizing that option once I get bigger in the summer time.
thanks guys!!
no clue when the job can go permanent- people are saying once we make the move to the new office we will be offered perm...but not sure
i guess my real dilemma is that I feel bad hiding it- i certainly don't want to get on the bad side of anyone here and I'm worried if I hold off till i cant anymore- I'm already starting to show- but I can hide it well....i don't want there to be any bad blood that i was playing games till they hired me perm...i am going to suck it up and make the drive since i need the money and insurance.
thanks again!!
Another thing to look into is state-subsidized insurance. Check to see if the state you live in has cheap insurance covearge for pregnant women and babies. If your perm job doesn't work out you will want to know what your options are for your upcoming medical bills and OB costs. A good person to ask would actually be your OB's office, they would know what is available and how it works. After that check your state's health and welfare office website.
I would be honest with your boss (when you feel comfortable telling) and let them know you are committed with the job and want to stay with them despite the pregnancy and leave. You have plenty of time to prove your value as an employee and hopefully get offered the perm position. Do you have insurance now? or would it be if you get the perm. job? Pregnancy will be covered as soon as your insurance starts despite being pregnancy already.
They don't need to know you are nervous it being too far of a drive, etc. Having a job and no ins. is better than no job at all! If you find something else thats a better fit, you can leave, but I would at least make them think you love the job and want to stay for the long term!
Also, find out how much L&D will cost if you don't end up with any coverage. My dr. office quoted my the OB Global package (included everything in a vag. delivery except Ultrasound and labs I think) with my last pegnancy and it was like $4500. I know this varies from place to place, but you might feel more prepared if you know the worst case scenario. Hospitals are VERY willing to work with you on payment plans as needed, you won't have to fork over the cash in order to leave with the baby!
Just saw your post. I'm in the same boat and I'm also due in Sept.
I started to interview before I found out I was pregnant. I went for the first, second interview and did a project, and went back the third time. When they gave me an offer for temp to perm, that was when I found out I'm pregnant. I've been working (temp) at this company for a little over a month now. I still have until end of April before I find out if they would hire my on or not. My Manager said I'm doing a good job but who knows after they find out. I'm freaking out!!!! I'm already 15 weeks and this my second, so my belly is showing but I try to hide it with loose clothes...but I don't think I can hide until end of April. I would be 20 weeks then.
Best of luck to you!