When should last day of work be?

Kinipela7 · January 2014

With learning the cost of day care (hello, $1600/month) we are almost positive that I am going to stay home for a bit when the baby comes, therefore I need to put an end date on my job. My due date is May 20th (yes, I'm on the wrong board). I'd like to work as long as I can (I think) When should I make my last day of work be? And when do I tell my job this? I am in a wedding on May 16th so it has to be by that day.

Sorry for being a SS.

hjl050308 · January 2014

With my first, I worked until one week before he was born; with my 2nd, I was in labor at work on a Monday, which turned out being my last day. Since I have a scheduled date for this baby, I'll likely do it the day or two before my c/s date. I'd rather have more time at home with the baby afterwards than before at home alone.

erind228 · January 2014

With my first I worked until the day before my induction date. With my second, I worked until the Friday before I went into labor. I went into labor early Sunday morning.

nunzchucks · January 2014

You're only obligated to give two weeks's notice. Are you able to take maternity leave and come back for two weeks before quitting? I did that, however, I did plan to come back until 8 weeks into my leave.
If not, a week before your due date sounds reasonable which would mean putting in your notice three weeks prior to your due date.

Kinipela7 · January 2014

LilNunz1 said:

You're only obligated to give two weeks's notice. Are you able to take maternity leave and come back for two weeks before quitting? I did that, however, I did plan to come back until 8 weeks into my leave.
If not, a week before your due date sounds reasonable which would mean putting in your notice three weeks prior to your due date.

I thought about doing that because some people have already done that here, but what would we do with the baby for those 2 weeks?

tdf2010 · January 2014

With my first I worked up until the day I went in to labor. I would say it's a personal decision, but I would try and work up until the last day that you can, that way you have some extra cash flow.

As far as telling your job, do you have projects that you do that you would need to make sure someone else can do or would you have to train someone? Those would be key factors for me as far as how soon I would tell my employer.

Kinipela7 · January 2014

tdf2010 said:

With my first I worked up until the day I went in to labor. I would say it's a personal decision, but I would try and work up until the last day that you can, that way you have some extra cash flow.

As far as telling your job, do you have projects that you do that you would need to make sure someone else can do or would you have to train someone? Those would be key factors for me as far as how soon I would tell my employer.

I would have to train someone, but that wouldn't take longer than a week.

TheMrs820 · January 2014

I plan on working up to the day of my labor, unless I am told by my doctor otherwise.

If you are planning on taking maternity leave, coming back for 2 weeks & quitting you could see if dome daycare places near you charge daily at a drop in rate for those 2weeks

Mztwilson · January 2014

If you quit before maternity leave then you aren't obligated to receive short term disability. Just to throw that out there.

CrysW08 · January 2014

I manage a store so I can't just work until I go into labor, that would screw up everyone else's schedule. So I picked a tentative date about 2 weeks before I'm due that will be my last day.

babygabe614 · January 2014

I'm due on a Saturday (6/28) and plan to work until the day before, unless my OB tells me otherwise.

texasmama2014 · January 2014

Personally, because I do have to go back to work, I plan to work until I go to the hospital to pop her out! Mainly because I want all my 12 weeks of FMLA to be spent with my baby.

For you, depending on your financial situation, leave whenever you feel ready. Depending on your job, look at when would be a good stopping point- finishing a big project, start of a new quarter, etc.

Also, looking at what your benefits would cover in regards to when they would stop your medical, short term disability, maternity leave pay, etc.

Since I'm a FTM I don't have experience other than seeing other women work up until their delivery...

TonyaCody06 · January 2014

When I was a night shift L&D RN I worked the night before I went in for induction … so I guess I am not much help

I'd say if you are quitting, then give yourself a week off before due date to have time for you. If you were trying to maximize maternity leave, I'd work as long as possible.

MNOpea · January 2014

Also not much help as I went to work the day I had DS. My labor started about 15 min after I got to work and I went home 1.5 hours after I got there... But I would try to work as long as possible if you feel you'll need the money. Maybe the 15th if it has to be before the 16th

arekeweg · January 2014

I am attempting to figure out this same exact thing right now so you are not the only SS on here

I have had some people tell me to not quit until I'm on maternity leave. I am planning to meet with some past co-workers who became SAHMs to see what approach they took since we will be in the same situations.

tbmadeamistake · January 2014

I will be working up until the day I go into labor, because we need the savings. I'm quitting at some point, not coming back after my leave, but I need to be very careful about when I do that. If I quit during unpaid leave, I'm liable for all insurance premiums that the company paid out in my name during that time. If I leave before I go into labor, I lose my coverage and we really can't afford a $35k hospital bill. I also don't want to screw my manager over by quitting while I'm on leave and not giving her any sort of notice. It's a fine line, and I have HR looking into for me so that I know the best way to handle it. Last time, knowing I was coming back, I worked on a Friday and my water broke that Sunday. I missed what was supposed to be my last week or work, but my time off started then.

nunzchucks · January 2014

Babywear said:

The done thing in my area is a month off before! I was thinking of stopping work the day of my 36 week OB appointment - as after that the appointments are regular and I'd hate to be unreliable at work. Is it uncomfortable doing office work after 36 weeks?

Nope, you'd be fine. I worked in the office until a week before due date and the from home the week of my due date. Here, most places will not start you maternity leave without a doctor's note until the day the baby is born. So...if you labor for over 24 hrs, you may be using PTO while you're in the hospital. Very fair, right? :P

@kinipela7 We had family and DH lined up to watch the baby for those two weeks. My boss ended up letting me leave that day. If you go that route, make sure you talk with HR to make sure you wouldn't lose the maternity benefits and insurance coverage (similar to lilygrace48's situation)

emandjp · January 2014

I took two weeks off before my due date, I had extra vacation time, and it was amazing. But I'd say a week before, at least. Also, my company knew I wasn't coming back but I could technically give my two weeks while on maternity leave. Definitely talk to your HR department for clarification.

colllydon · January 2014

Thanks for starting this I really had no idea about this stuff! Do you always have to give a date you will be leaving or is it okay to just play it by ear? Does it depend by the company. I had intended on working until I had the baby so like PP have said all my maternity leave would be with the baby. I am afraid of setting an end date and having the baby come 2 weeks late.

OP I would at least tell them the 14th of May give yourself a day or two before the wedding.

nunzchucks · January 2014

@colllydon, check with your HR department. Like I said, mine would not start my maternity leave until the day the baby was born so it was always going to be a floating date. I went into labor on a Wed and she wasn't born until Thursday so I had to take PTO that entire day I was in labor. Chances are you'll have everything wrapped up pretty close to your due date so they won't need a definite stop date. My last week of work was very slow and boring since I planned way ahead. Don't stress - this is the easy part

Katieluc106 · January 2014

I worked over an hour away so I left a month before. It was a good choice and bad choice. It was good because I don't think I could have kept driving and working with how big I was. And it was bad because DD was 2 weeks late. I was bored as heck. Just waiting for a baby haha. I'm a SAHM now so I can't bow out early

RedMar · January 2014

@babywear- where do you live?? That's amazing to have that much (paid) maternity leave!!

flyingonredwings · January 2014

I work retail as a department manager - because of what's involved in training my replacement, I told them this week that's I was stepping back as a manager no later than my due date (and hopefully before). I plan to work for as long as possible so I can spend my FMLA time with my baby, but I'm not sure how tht will work, seeing as I need to keep 32 hours a week for my health care benefits :P
Honestly, if you trust/have a good relationship with your boss or HR, ask them what your options are and when most people in your position start their leave. Good luck

lucymilly23 · January 2014

I work in the OR. I worked up until the day I went into labor. I had to call off due to being In labor. And I had 1-2 hour commutes. First babies do not usually come quickly. You will likely labor or a long time even before the hospital will even admit you. If finances are a concern work till delivery day unless doc says not to

Kinipela7 · January 2014

@collydon - If you are going back to work, I don't see the need to have an end date. If I was going back, I would work up until I had the baby so I could maximize my time with baby. The only reason I need an end date is because I am not returning to work at all.

eryale · January 2014

I'm lucky to work in the public schools, so with my due date being 6/27, and if all goes according to plan, I'll naturally have about 1 1/2 weeks off before baby is due!

Sareynoo · January 2014

I'm going to ask the doctor to put me on bed rest at 36 weeks then after the birth I will have 6 weeks to recover, then back to work I go!

Bmcmullin01 · January 2014

I will work all the way up until she is born

tlcalloway · January 2014

With DS, I was 38.5weeks when my water broke at the office (as I was leaving for the night) so not a biggie...no contractions, so i was induced shortly after i got to the hospital. STD doesn't start until you give birth with my company. I hadn't really thought about it which in a way was good since I have always seemed to overthink things.

I know many drs here in the US won't let you go more than a week past your EDD so I plan to try to work up to it...then use vacation until then....but i keep joking that since DS was earlier and I was expecting him to be late, that this little one will be the late one!

LilyGracesMommy · January 2014

I'm an RN and work Part time, knowing I've had to be induced with both of my other pregnancies, and unless I get a "set date" for induction (this would only happen if this LO measures big, as DD was 9lbs 13oz) I plan to have June 3rd be my last day ( I'm due June 8th). The reason I chose this date is that 1. As a PT employee I work two 12hr shifts a week. and that Sunday the 1st is my weekend on, so Ill work Sunday, one day off Tuesday and be considered to have worked a "full work week" for me. I'm taking a full 12 weeks off so I plan to return to work Aug 31st.... that be said my scheduling and the fact that we self schedule has a lot to do with the flexibility. I personally "know" my body ( or think I do...) So I feel comfortable working up and to my EDD.

With your circumstances, I would maybe work until 38wks, or whatever you feel comfortable with.

FeliciaTwo · January 2014

Wow, I feel very lucky. I'm a professor, and our semester ends mid-may. I'm due 2.5 weeks after the date our grades have to be in. Though my mom tells me I'm going to be super antsy during that time . . .

afk2013 · January 2014

Sareynoo said:

I'm going to ask the doctor to put me on bed rest at 36 weeks then after the birth I will have 6 weeks to recover, then back to work I go!

Barring any complications, doctors won't just put you on bed rest upon request. If there are medical complications of course, but not just because you are close to your due date, uncomfortable, etc. I don't know your personal story, but wouldn't want you to count on that.

OP, I worked up until the day I delivered. I was uncomfortable and anxious, but it was definitely doable.

dragonfly711 · January 2014

I am a teacher, our last day is June 6. I am due June 19. Since this is my first baby, I am guessing I will go later rather than early so I plan on staying at school until the last day of school unless my Dr says otherwise. I do have an hour commute to work.

I hope you make it to the wedding since it is so close to your due date?

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