Not working...no $

slh6363 · November 2013

While I love that I get to be home with LO during the holidays it really sucks I am not getting paid! Im a teacher and only get the first six weeks paid, last 6 weeks if you choose to take it is unpaid...so Im now in the unpaid portion of my leave which isn't fun this time of year! Luckily we have savings we can dip into but really hate doing that. Anyone else in the same boat?

Inn2 · November 2013

Teacher here, too, and in similar place. What is helping us is my national board stipend and STD/LTD because I was bedridden so long.

Kathy1013 · November 2013

Stupid me opted not to get short term disability from my job, luckily I live in NY so I get $157 a week (not enough but it's something) but that stops in 2 weeks and I am not going back to work until January 2nd so I will be a few weeks without any money. I don't know how you ladies who get nothing do it.

alyshamarie007 · November 2013

I get the first 6 weeks paid under short term disability. The remaining 6 are unpaid. We will be using money we saved but we will have to be tighter on Christmas this year. It's hard because we usually go all out, but I just keep reminding myself that DS is the best present.

Jules122907 · November 2013

I'm a consultant so if I don't have billable hours then I don't get paid. We have plenty in savings but DH gets all weird about dipping into it at all. We have a budget in place for months I won't have income and have really tightened up our spending but we will have to use some savings.

muffyvonmuff · November 2013

I couldn't stand not making money and went back to bartending when DS was 5 weeks. Happy I did, it's been so busy just working 2 shifts a week is supplementing expenses amazingly.

anskip · November 2013

Yes! I teach as well and this is my first year in a new school and school district. Because of that, I don't qualify for STD and have been on ML without pay. We did try and save extra, but I really don't want to touch that. As far aa Christmas goes......the fam is just going to have to be ok with a slim on. Oh wait......a new grandchild is a great present!!

RedZee · November 2013

I have always been very anxious about money. I get 8 weeks at full party and another 4 (i think ) at partial pay. My leave ends astute end of February. I told DH that i am going to do my best to work part time until DD is 12months. I don't know how w will swing it, but those few months will go quickly and i want to be with my baby. We were able to save a lot in just 1year of me working and re did our kitchen. We expected to have a bit more left after but don't. We'll see how it all goes.

SnoopyLuv · November 2013

Yep. We saved up my take home for the remaining 6 weeks. Had about 9 months to do it....

hartsl01 · November 2013

Yes, originally almost all of my leave was going to be unpaid. Since I work for a small private company, they do not have to offer me fmla or std. Luckily I had some vacation time and I have been working from home which I'll continue to do until January. On the bright side, you guys planned ahead and have some savings!

pmarie33 · November 2013

First 6 weeks were paid. The second 6 weeks I'm working part time from home. I'm due back on the 24th but I doubt I'll be going back the last week on the year and probably just take vacation.

emmylou78 · November 2013

I had to use my vacation time, so 6 or 7 weeks paid and the rest unpaid. I saved up well.

sweettwilight16 · November 2013

I'm into using my vacation time now. I saved up a lot, but my pay checks are still half of a normal one. Hoping for holiday bonuses to come out soon...!

knottied2a666e3e38a2a87 · November 2013

I had two weeks paid (used sick and vacation time), so am only taking 6 weeks total -- some of you are so lucky! We signed to build a house just before I found out I was pregnant so we spent most of the pregnancy saving for closing costs. Now we're super broke. But I have a baby and a new house! That will have to do for Christmas this year.

amber0529 · November 2013

I didn't get paid at all which is why I had to go back after 6 weeks. We were trying to save up $ through my pregnancy but it seemed something always came up so we didn't have much in the end. Plus we were told circ would be $200 & it ended up being $300.

Pickle123 · November 2013

Inn2 said:
Teacher here, too, and in similar place. What is helping us is my national board stipend and STD/LTD because I was bedridden so long.

Funny..I saved my national board stipend for leave as well!

between that and STD I took out, I'm set until feb. 3rd.

steph191 · November 2013

Same here. My district only allows you to use 4 weeks of sick days after baby is born (it doesn't matter if you have more sick time saved up like me), so most of my leave will be unpaid.

slh6363 · November 2013

@missgpsu and @steph191 and other teachers...Im wondering is the policy state by state? Im in Ohio and even though I have more than 6 weeks of sick time built up, they only allow you to use 6 weeks paid, anything else you have to take unpaid...think it's the same for all of Ohio.

BRooke Christina · November 2013

6 weeks paid, 2 weeks saved vaca time - the rest of the 12 weeks unpaid. Maternity leave in America is shamefull.

kkeating22 · November 2013

I'm a school administrator in IL. I've been working in the same district for 11 years, and have well over 100 sick days accumulated. I was able to use as many sick days as I wanted to and apply it to my leave. I plan on going back after winter break.

In IL, it varies by district. A friend of mine works in a district where the leave starts the day you have the baby and you only get 6 weeks. She had a baby on July 24 and was expected to go back 6 weeks after that even though school wasn't in session when she had the baby! Ridic.

citygirl17 · November 2013

I get 6 weeks of STD plus I have 2 weeks of my own vacation time saved up. So only 4 weeks will be unpaid. We have plenty in savings to cover it.

mrsbrooksie · November 2013

No paid maternity leave w my company. I used 3 weeks vaca/PTO. I was only planning on taking 6 weeks but since I can't drive-I may take all 12 through FMLA. I have no idea how to navigate Christmas w our big families!

adcc43 · November 2013

I am a teacher as well and yesterday would have been pay day.....really miss the check!

kimbo1216 · November 2013

Personally, I think you have a pretty good deal if you can afford to take an extra six weeks off for a total of twelve. I know it sucks, but at least you have the option unlike many.

steph191 · November 2013

slh6363 said:
@missgpsu and @steph191 and other teachers...Im wondering is the policy state by state? Im in Ohio and even though I have more than 6 weeks of sick time built up, they only allow you to use 6 weeks paid, anything else you have to take unpaid...think it's the same for all of Ohio.

I think the policy is really district by district. I think I should at least be able to take 6 weeks of time considering you don't even get your checkup until then and are restricted in doing certain things.

steed123 · November 2013

I'm a nanny, and when I go back to work I get to take my LO, so I'm very lucky. However, I had a c-section and needed recovery time before chasing around the little girl I nanny for. So I am taking 6 weeks without pay before heading back. I'm lucky to be able to take my daughter, but the 6 weeks unpaid has been hard on us, especially right before Christmas, like a lot of you are also dealing with.

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