Maternity Leave BS!!!!!

CJR2011 · November 2012

My due date is scheduled for December 15, 2012. I sent in a letter to my HR department indicating that my last day would be December 7th, 2012. They are telling me that I am required to give them a doctor's note. Is this legal? I have never heard of such nonsense before. Geesh, I can barely breath or walk normal, you think that they wouldn't give me such a hard time about leaving a freaking week early!!!!!

wesandlauramcdonald · November 2012

They are probably talking about the FMLA form from the Dept of Labor that has to be signed by your doctor. The doctor can write on there to have your leave start early.

lawjjg522 · November 2012

My work is just requiring a letter requesting the time off and I need a Dr. Note to come back.

That sucks that they're giving you trouble but it shouldn't be a problem to get a note from your doctor.

myskyegirl · November 2012

The univ I work for also requires a doctor's note. All you'll have to do is have your SO call your OB's office and tell them that your company requires a dr. note so you can take M.L. They are used to it. Plus if your dr. is going to the be theo one delivering your baby, she'll most likely know that you'll need a dr. note. Sadly we call it M.L, but it's really considered Short Term Disability.

6fsn · November 2012

I assume that you are taking leaving under some sort of FMLA or STD. That leave is based on your inability to work so yes, you need a doctor's note. Don't be surprised if the doctor won't write you off either. I was taking call up to a week overdue.

SingleMom31 · November 2012

wesandlauramcdonald:
They are probably talking about the FMLA form from the Dept of Labor that has to be signed by your doctor. The doctor can write on there to have your leave start early.

To be eligible for FMLA, you are required to provide a note from your dr. stating that it's legit (to prevent abuse of the system). Additionally, if you have short term disability coverage through your employer, they need to know when you're officially too disabled to work.

I know with my job that I can start maternity leave whenever I want, but that I need to take it as normal vacation time until the baby is born. Only once I'm in labor can I start the clock on FMLA and short-term disability time (which is paying for part of my leave, so I'd like that close started asap).

eli_belle · November 2012

As pps said I'm pretty sure this has to do with FMLA or short term disability. I believe it is a requirement to go on disability, you have to have a note from your doctor saying you are "disabled." With my doc it was easy-peasy. They just had a form letter and let you pick the day you wanted to go out (assuming it was with in the allowed window). No problem.

ConyersHoney · November 2012

If you leave work before your due date you need to have a doctor's note saying so. My work is the same way. I think it has to do with disability.

cowgirltu · November 2012

I am active duty military, and I cant begin my maternity leave until I have my LO. I have to bring my discharge papers to base and they will then process it. Im sure most companys have their own policies.

NoeliaV · November 2012

SingleMom31:
wesandlauramcdonald:
They are probably talking about the FMLA form from the Dept of Labor that has to be signed by your doctor. The doctor can write on there to have your leave start early.

To be eligible for FMLA, you are required to provide a note from your dr. stating that it's legit (to prevent abuse of the system). Additionally, if you have short term disability coverage through your employer, they need to know when you're officially too disabled to work.

What she said. You can't just pick a random date to start your leave. You either need a medical reason from your physician or the baby. And you'll need a note to return, as well. Just FYI.

velazquezk1 · November 2012

I have to provide one every quarter for my job. And whenever I start my leave I have to have a note as well.

jquirke9881 · November 2012

In Massachusetts it would be illegal to require a note because our state maternity leave laws indicate you can start your leave early to prepare for giving birth. However your leave starts then so I would rather have the time off after the baby is here.

ETA: For FMLA we still need the paperwork filled out by the doctor...

ngarden01 · November 2012

NoeliaV:
SingleMom31:

wesandlauramcdonald:
They are probably talking about the FMLA form from the Dept of Labor that has to be signed by your doctor. The doctor can write on there to have your leave start early.

To be eligible for FMLA, you are required to provide a note from your dr. stating that it's legit (to prevent abuse of the system). Additionally, if you have short term disability coverage through your employer, they need to know when you're officially too disabled to work.

What she said. You can't just pick a random date to start your leave. You either need a medical reason from your physician or the baby. And you'll need a note to return, as well. Just FYI.

Yep, yep, yep - what they said!

StefandTodd · November 2012

My disability and leave begins at 36 weeks, and yes they are requiring a note. All it says is "Stefanie is pregnant and due ___" basically. NBD and my MW had a stock letter ready to fill in, sign, and send home with me.

ETA: In California, any person 36 weeks pregnant is considered "disabled" so there doesn't need to be any "reason" for taking leave and collecting State Disability Insurance other than hitting 36 weeks gestation.

RissKay · November 2012

Doesn't sound like BS to me, it just sounds like they're trying to make sure everything is up to code, date, and that no problems will come to you for leaving when you're going to.

eli_belle · November 2012

StefandTodd:
My disability and leave begins at 36 weeks, and yes they are requiring a note. All it says is "Stefanie is pregnant and due ___" basically. NBD and my MW had a stock letter ready to fill in, sign, and send home with me.

ETA: In California, any person 36 weeks pregnant is considered "disabled" so there doesn't need to be any "reason" for taking leave and collecting State Disability Insurance other than hitting 36 weeks gestation.

I'm in CA and still required to get a doctors note. Don't know if that is for SDI or my employer.

Amaryllis619 · November 2012

not BS. like ppl said its for FMLA or short term disability coverage. Also, you will probably need a note from the doctor when you plan to return to work as well, basically saying they agree you are no longer "disabled" and capable to return to work.

StefandTodd · November 2012

elishamurrell:
StefandTodd:

My disability and leave begins at 36 weeks, and yes they are requiring a note. All it says is "Stefanie is pregnant and due ___" basically. NBD and my MW had a stock letter ready to fill in, sign, and send home with me.

ETA: In California, any person 36 weeks pregnant is considered "disabled" so there doesn't need to be any "reason" for taking leave and collecting State Disability Insurance other than hitting 36 weeks gestation.

I'm in CA and still required to get a doctors note. Don't know if that is for SDI or my employer.

Yes, me too. (Don't know if you're agreeing with me or misunderstood me). My point is that I need a note stating that I'm pregnant, not a note that I'm disabled or unable to do my job, etc. CA recognizes 36 weeks pregnant as a disability.

I wonder if the OP is suggesting that her work wants a note from her doctor stating that she is unable to do her job at 39 weeks or something. I would think that would be pretty shitty, honestly. But I don't know the rules for SDI and FMLA in other states, just CA.

ambuhsmilesx32 · November 2012

I didn't have to! Just gave them a 2 weeks notice!

NoeliaV · November 2012

ambuhsmilesx32:
I didn't have to! Just gave them a 2 weeks notice!

This is misleading because, IIRC, you weren't eligible for FMLA, right? So, for you, going out on leave (maternity or otherwise) is in essence quitting. Not the same thing as OP.

ambrlynn8 · November 2012

I got a hard time for having to cut hours due to PTL, and having to finally go out of work after being hospitalized for 3 days due to PTL.

It's not illegal. You have to have doctor's orders and sometimes more to be "allowed" to leave to early. Some companies are more stringent. For instance, I had to send in ALL of my medical records from the pregnancy to "plead" my case for both instances. Some companies will take a note and say "Ok, you can leave a week early."

Just ask your doctor if s/he can give you a note.

choppinbroccoli22 · November 2012

You have to abide by the law in order to be protected by it, they're just covering you. We had to do give DH's FMLA paperwork to my midwife to fill out, too, so that he won't have to leave on a two-week trip overseas the week of my due date. It's pretty obvious to us that he's not taking that plane, but we do want his job to be there still in a few weeks. Person taking care of: ____ Reason: pregnancy, post-partum. Estimated amount of time off work needed: ____. The rest the doc fills out.

Want a personalized experience?

Maternity Leave BS!!!!!

Re: Maternity Leave BS!!!!!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards