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June 2012 Moms
lach1137
member
Worried about extended Maternity Leave (kinda long)
lach1137
member
So, I plan to work right up until my due date of June 23rd. Assuming I go out on my due date, after 12 weeks FMLA, that would bring me back to work September 17th.
Part of our policy is that you can discuss with HR and your manager to extend the maternity leave past 12 weeks (unpaid, of course). My boss and I agreed that November 1st would work out just fine.
Well, today I found out that my boss is leaving, and her last day is in 2 weeks. Now I am worried that after she leaves they won't honor my return date of November 1st, and force me back after 12 weeks. I don't think I am at the risk of losing my job (since my boss is 1 of 3 in our department, and they are going to be scrambling as it is to keep up with the work after both she leaves and I have the baby - they will be hiring contractors to help), but the thought has crossed my mind that I won't be protected, and won't have her here in the office fighting for me (she is very good at looking out for the 2 of us in the department).
I just emailed my boss to ask that we get everything we decided documented in writing, but also want to get the official signoff from HR as well.
Do you think that is enough to protect me? Or is there NO way to protect my job since its past the 12 weeks covered in FMLA. Again, I don't think they would pull the rug out, being that I believe I am pretty valuable here (given the fact our department will need all the help it can get), but still worried.
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Re: Worried about extended Maternity Leave (kinda long)
I would think if your boss gave approval in writing and you submitted it to HR for pre-approval you would be good if it's already a part of yor policy. Just make sure everything is documented and keep copies for yourself.
I would make sure you have the accepted extension signed by your boss and submitted and accepted by HR ASAP.
I've already given my leave and return dates, and in fact, I gave them about 3 weeks ago. I'm in a bit of a different situation because I'm in Canada and everyone's jobs are protected for a year, so it's not a concern. But I was dead set on taking 2 weeks of vacation before taking 3 weeks of leave before my EDD. Doing that actually put me at starting my vacation 3 days before my approved vacation start date. When vacation requests were sent out, I immediately asked HR about it. They said the ED has to approve anything like that. I went to the ED, explained what I wanted to do. She agreed verbally. I sent her an email to confirm in writing, she did. Then I had her initial my vacation request form as well. THEN, I attached my leave and return dates. I know 3 days wasn't a huge deal, but they could have very easily said no to it. With the approval, I can take the long holiday weekend, be paid for the holiday even though I'm not returning (or working a scheduled date after the holiday), take my two weeks of vacation, and then go off work for a year. It was such a relief to have everything set in stone.
Since your boss already agreed to it, I'm pretty sure you will be fine. Just make sure you get something in writing before she goes, just to be safe.
I'm in a similar situation to you. My boss is leaving me too, and it makes me feel very precarious about my whole pregnancy/leave. She was supposed to work out me working from home, and now I'm not sure that's going to happen. I'm trying not to worry about hings.
But I think you should be fine. Just make sure she puts the paperwork in before she goes.