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Job offer @ 6 wk pg -- mat leave
Last week I found out I was pregnant, and I just got an offer for a job that I interviewed for back in December.
The job is with a company that I used to work for. They now offer telecommuting and they have a new job that's more of the kind of work that I'd like to do, so I contacted my old boss and he got a position for me.
It pays 40% more than I'm making and I'd be able to work from home a few days a week. It's perfect, except that I'm really concerned about maternity leave. An HR person just went over their benefits package with me and it looks like I'd qualify for STD and would be able to carry over 6 sick days and 6 vacation days that I would accrue, if I don't use any time up this year. So that would put me at about 8 weeks of time off?
Is there a way that I could negotiate something leave-wise now? Should I say anything about the pregnancy? It's so early, and I miscarried last fall so that's on my mind, but having an idea of what I'd be able to get would make me feel better about the whole situation.
I think my boss there would help me out as much as he could, and I saw something in the handbook that HR sent me about an unpaid leave, which they "discourage", but maybe I could do something like that?
Sorry for the rambly post -- my mind's going a mile a minute. I told her I'd respond to their offer on Monday, the same day as my first OB appt. Any advice from HR folks or someone who's been in a similar situation is really appreciated.
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Re: Job offer @ 6 wk pg -- mat leave
I wouldn't say anything about your pregnancy - you are very early. If anything, you can say you found out after you accepted and it won't be too far from the truth.
8 weeks is a decent amount of time but I can see wanting to take more. Unfortunately, you won't qualify for FMLA which I am sure you already know.
Even though they "discourage" unpaid leave, I could see them maybe being flexible for a few more weeks and letting you telecommute for those weeks to make it easier. I would definitely accept the job, and then work your butt off so that they are more willing to accomodate you!
BFP # 1 - 12/19/09 EDD 08/27/10 - D&C 1/26/10 @ 9w5d
BFP # 2 - 06/05/10 EDD 02/17/11, DS1 born on 2/14/11
BFP # 3 - 04/10/13 EDD 12/21/13 - D&C 05/15/13 @ 8w4d
BFP # 4 - 07/27/13 EDD 04/08/14 - CP 07/29/13
BFP # 5 - 09/14/13 EDD 05/28/14, DS2 born on 5/22/14
Thanks! I was able to take 12 weeks with FMLA last time, and that didn't feel like enough, so this is throwing me a bit. But I guess in the long run the other perks will outweigh a shorter maternity leave.
My mom's retiring in February, a few weeks after my due date, so maybe she could help for a bit. It'll all fall into place I guess.
Actually, you may qualify for FMLA. You said that his was a company that you used to work for; the 12 months at an employer to qualify for FMLA do not need to be consecutive. Basically, if you have worked for this employer for at least 12 months within the last 7 years, and worked at least 1250 hours in the 12 months immediately preceding your leave (which should be doable between now and when you give birth, if you are full-time), then you will have met that part of the requirement. If your employer meets the size/location requirement, then you would be eligible for your 12 weeks of job protected leave.
With that being said, I wouldn't mention your pregnancy to them before starting, unless you are trying to negotiate something special into your offer.
I left there in 2004, which is over 7 years ago. But they're treating me as a "returning employee" with other benefits (starting where I left off with how many vacation days I get, how vested in the 401(k) I am, etc). so *maybe* that previous time would count toward this? They are big enough and meet the other requirements. Relationships that I maintained with people there may help too.
This. Good luck and congrats!!!