CA Ladies - How Many Weeks Prior Are You Taking Maternity Leave?

Janellemp · April 2011

Hi Everyone! I'm just curious how many weeks before your due date are you taking leave? I know CA allows 4 weeks before, just curious if anyone is actually doing the full 4 weeks? I'm in the process of deciding what I want to do. Thanks!

DreamChaser246 · April 2011

Right now my plan is two, three if I feel like I need it. Since I'm the primary income I'm trying to work longer without killing myself.

lily310 · April 2011

I'm still deciding too. Initially I thought I would work up until my due date, but now I'm thinking of using 1 or 2 weeks of the SDI California gives you before the due date. I definitely am not planning on using all 4 weeks- I think I would get too bored!

luvbeingmom · April 2011

with ds2, i used 2 weeks since i was scheduled cs, i knew when i was delivering.

plus i hadn't been at my job for a full year yet, so i think i was only entitled to 60% of my pay

with dd1 i took the whole 4 weeks. i was entitled to 100% pay. i had gained so much weight and was so uncomfortable, it was great to have that much time off. plus i had waited specifically for that time off to get anything ready for her anyway.

if i were still working this time around, i'd take the full 4 weeks again... but like i said, i had 100% pay, so why not!

norbert5 · April 2011

For DD I planned on taking all four weeks. However dr. put my on disability an extra 2 weeks because I had carpal tunnel and swelling so badly.

I thought I would go crazy with boredom, but I didn't. I went to the movies, nested, Christmas shopping. It was really nice I really enjoyed that time more then I thought I would.

This time I am a SAHM so I am not getting anytime off. Stick out tongue

ccorso · April 2011

I am going to try and work right up to delivery. And then take the 12 weeks off with SDI and PFL after baby is born. I may take some extra days off after that with the remaining FMLA - but that will be unpaid so it will matter on finances at that time

simbaby · April 2011

ccorso:
I am going to try and work right up to delivery. And then take the 12 weeks off with SDI and PFL after baby is born. I may take some extra days off after that with the remaining FMLA - but that will be unpaid so it will matter on finances at that time

this^ but i'm not sure if i'm going to go back full time..maybe part time. not sure.

OctoberCAPA · April 2011

I get 100% pay, and I'm hoping to make it to May 16. I have so much to do at work before I go out, and I really like my job. If the doctors want me out earlier though, that'll be that!

Syncronicity09 · April 2011

I was planning on working up until I deliver, but seeing how tired i have been getting lately MH and I decided I would take to full 4. I will end school and work at the same time and nave 4 weeks to get this apartment ready.

luckyluvr · April 2011

Ha, I wish I could take off time before. Teachers don't pay into SSI, so we have to use any sick time we have. Then, if and only if we are under a drs. care we can take FMLA at 60% of our pay. I'm due 10 days after school gets out. I worked until DD was born and plan to do the same, but I've got my arrangements made just in case.

SariGarcia · April 2011

I am SO GLAD someone posted this. I was just discussing at work 10 minutes ago. How does this work? Do you need a Doctor's note for the 4 weeks? And I believe we get 6 weeks after right? How do you qualify for 100% pay? Did you call and ask this information? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!!

lily310 · April 2011

Through the state, you get 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after (8 weeks after for C section) at 55% pay. I'm not sure how people get 100%- maybe they have private disability on top of what the state offers? There is a 7 day waiting period. My employer will let me use sick time during the 7 days.

Just download the form from the state's website and take it into your doctor's office at one of your upcoming appointments. Fill in your portion and they should be able to do the rest!

luvbeingmom · April 2011

SariGarcia:
I am SO GLAD someone posted this. I was just discussing at work 10 minutes ago. How does this work? Do you need a Doctor's note for the 4 weeks? And I believe we get 6 weeks after right? How do you qualify for 100% pay? Did you call and ask this information? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!!

you need to talk to your HR

Janellemp · April 2011

SariGarcia:
I am SO GLAD someone posted this. I was just discussing at work 10 minutes ago. How does this work? Do you need a Doctor's note for the 4 weeks? And I believe we get 6 weeks after right? How do you qualify for 100% pay? Did you call and ask this information? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!!

You need to call your HR first to see what your company offers. The state pays 55% for up to 4 weeks prior. My company pays the difference of my salary to make 100%. I know that some companies don't do this. I luckily work for one that does. Your Dr has to sign off on the state forms and any company forms, if they do this.

SariGarcia · April 2011

Unfortunately, My HR is my Mom and they have never dealt with this before. The last person that was pregnant here was 16 years ago and I don't think she took the disability. I guess my main question is that (based on what I have been reading) do you have to get a note from your Doctor saying you need to be on disability? Or does that automatically happen 4 weeks before the due date.

Thank you!

luvbeingmom · April 2011

SariGarcia:
Unfortunately, My HR is my Mom and they have never dealt with this before. The last person that was pregnant here was 16 years ago and I don't think she took the disability. I guess my main question is that (based on what I have been reading) do you have to get a note from your Doctor saying you need to be on disability? Or does that automatically happen 4 weeks before the due date.

Thank you!

nope, nothing automatically happens until you set it in motion.

the only thing that will automatically happen is that you will be sent the paperwork for the FMLA time off after baby is born, which you will have to fill out and return.

i agree with pp about the 55% the state pays. you need to find out if your company supplements the rest or if anything at all.

here is a great link with some info, and it also directs you to the CA SDI link where you need to enter your info to have them send the SDI forms to you.

you might want to get it done right away!!!

https://www.growingfamilybenefits.com/california_sdi

ccorso · April 2011

SariGarcia:
Unfortunately, My HR is my Mom and they have never dealt with this before. The last person that was pregnant here was 16 years ago and I don't think she took the disability. I guess my main question is that (based on what I have been reading) do you have to get a note from your Doctor saying you need to be on disability? Or does that automatically happen 4 weeks before the due date.
Thank you!

I am an HR manager - while I know you are trying to get help from all of us and all of us want to help you...please don't take anything you read as fact. A lot of this depends on how big the company is and their policies - too many variables for you to get the correct info here . By law in California - labor law posters have to be posted. These should have marked any qualifying leaves that you are eligible for. Also... go to www.edd.ca.gov. This will have the info on State Disability. Your HR, or mom, should have handed you a pamphlet on Disability Insurance provisions when you told them you were pregnant also. Your doctor should have the forms you to fill out for State Disability

waterfall11 · April 2011

I went on part time disability last week (working 6 hrs a day instead of 9.5 hrs a day). I plan to work until 39 weeks, but I may cut back to 4 hours a day or less days a week before that point.

kbel424 · April 2011

My dr is pulling me out very soon...within the next week or 2 for sure. I have so much work to wrap up before I go, I'm starting to stress about it! My company pays the difference so I will get 100% pay for the time prior that the dr pulls me out for, plus full paid 6 weeks maternity. Then the company will give me an additional 12 weeks baby bonding, but I will take 6 weeks of it since its unpaid and use the CA baby bonding at 55% pay.

RobinSparkles81 · April 2011

I will be 35 weeks exactly on my last day...so 5 weeks before. But I have a full year off...

Mommy2BeJune2011 · April 2011

I was actually talking to work earlier today about this. My doc wants me off for 4 weeks but stretching it 2 weeks (because of GD). So I am going to probably try to hit the middle mark. Do you ladies know how much vacation time you have to use prior to leave?

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