FMLA and taking maternity leave

lorina · July 2011

Hey ladies,

I am looking for some perspective on a situation that has come up since DH and I got our BFP about a month ago: Maternity/Paternity leave. I am struggling to figure out how I will be able to take any time off or if taking no time is feasible. I will be finishing my Ph.D. in October and starting a new job in November. This means that I will not be eligible for FMLA in March when we are due. On top of that, my husband can take a maximum of two paid weeks off. We were TTC for almost a year and a half and didn't 'intend' to be preggers while I'm switching jobs, but that's where we find ourselves.

For you ladies who have been here before with the FMLA issue, how did you handle time off? Did anyone NOT take more than a day or two? Is it reasonable to expect that I should pray for a Friday afternoon delivery with no hitches and try to be back at work Monday?

Totally confused in Houston.

vcukoko82 · July 2011

You don't think you could at least take a week or two off? I couldn't imagine giving birth and then going right back to work. Is there someone in your benefits department you can talk to? Your boss? Something?!

Texas77again · July 2011

ok, lemme get this right...you are hoping to have your baby on a friday and go back to work on monday? girl, are you crazy?

what about vacation time? do you get any to start or do you have to accrue it? are you doing this because you won't be able to afford to take 4-6 weeks off when baby comes?

lorina · July 2011

I will only have accrued a few days of vacation time as I will only have been at the new job about six months. We will have other support at the house but I am worried that I will not physically be able to go back to work. I intend to bring it up with my new boss once we have signed some more paper work and we make it out of the first trimester. I am just not sure how this is going to work right now.

vcukoko82 · July 2011

Well I think they have to give you leave, the problem is you won't get paid for it. Do you think you can save up to take a month off? Will your family be willing to help you out?

Texas77again · July 2011

i would seriously focus on yourself and your baby. a job is not worth it. i'm sure they will work with you, if not then you don't want to work for a company like that anyway.

your body needs time to heal, birth is kind of a big deal. there is no way you should go back to work a few days later. also you need time to bond with your child and there is no way you can do both on a weekend. i think you should talk to them about just taking the time off without pay. i would think 4 weeks at the minimum...minimum.

also i wouldn't stress about it right now. it is what it is, you are pg and it will all work out one way or another. just trust the process. maybe you need a nap, you are talking crazy! Lol.

SoniaMarie83 · July 2011

Texas77again:
i would seriously focus on yourself and your baby. a job is not worth it. i'm sure they will work with you, if not then you don't want to work for a company like that anyway.

your body needs time to heal, birth is kind of a big deal. there is no way you should go back to work a few days later. also you need time to bond with your child and there is no way you can do both on a weekend. i think you should talk to them about just taking the time off without pay. i would think 4 weeks at the minimum...minimum.

also i wouldn't stress about it right now. it is what it is, you are pg and it will all work out one way or another. just trust the process. maybe you need a nap, you are talking crazy! Lol.

This. Exactly! Especially the bolded parts!

GatorBaby2012 · July 2011

SoniaMarie83:
Texas77again:
i would seriously focus on yourself and your baby. a job is not worth it. i'm sure they will work with you, if not then you don't want to work for a company like that anyway.

your body needs time to heal, birth is kind of a big deal. there is no way you should go back to work a few days later. also you need time to bond with your child and there is no way you can do both on a weekend. i think you should talk to them about just taking the time off without pay. i would think 4 weeks at the minimum...minimum.

also i wouldn't stress about it right now. it is what it is, you are pg and it will all work out one way or another. just trust the process. maybe you need a nap, you are talking crazy! Lol.

This. Exactly! Especially the bolded parts!

Yes

FinallyMrsBMW · July 2011

I agree with what pp have said. Having gone through this before there is NO WAY that I could have gone back to work after 4 days. I had a pretty easy birth and my body still needed the 6 weeks to heal. I was barely ready at 7 weeks when I went back to work.

Most likely your doctor will not release you to go to work until you are 6 weeks postpartum. I don't get paid for any of my time off but my saved up sick days, but we are going to make it work financially. I'm sure your company will understand. If they don't, I don't think I'd want to work for them any way.

lorina · July 2011

I hadn't thought about the short-term disability option. I will be looking into that. Thanks for all the info guys! Smile

greengirl0909 · July 2011

UGh...friend you are in a tough spot. Have you considered at all not switching jobs at this time? I think if you haven't been with a company a year, they don't have to honor FMLA. Unless you already have a STD policy, that probably won't be much help. We looked into it, but you can't be pregnant 30 days prior to getting the policy started.

That being said, prior to the birth of my son, I thought, 6 weeks, that's forever, I'll be going crazy to get back to work. After the 6 weeks I was like- that was nothing! I can't go back to work. I think you'll really want more time, especially if you've at all considered breastfeeding. Wish I had some more encouraging words.

MrsJetSet · July 2011

Michelin82:
You may not be eligible for FMLA - but won't you be eligible for 6 weeks of short term disability? I have a friend who works for a company that's small enough that they're not required to enforce the FMLA - so she couldn't take the typical 3 months off. She did, however get 6 weeks STD. I know that's how our FMLA works...it's just 6 extra unpaid weeks off after the 6 weeks of STD.
But I also have to agree with the other ladies here. You'll want to focus on YOU and your baby! There's no way you'll want to go to work just a few short days after giving birth!

This is exactly where my head went. At my work, we use up whatever sick leave we have up to 6 weeks VB or 8 weeks C/S. When our sick leave runs out then short term disability kicks in for the rest of the 6 or 8 weeks. If we want longer we can go the route of vacation time or FMLA.

Want a personalized experience?

FMLA and taking maternity leave

Re: FMLA and taking maternity leave

Choose Another Board

Search Boards