Maternity Leave - Am I being petty or WWYD?

*sparky* · February 2014

I work PT and am not eligible for any benefits at my company, which means no STD while I am on leave. I am eligible for FMLA and I am taking the full 12 weeks allowed. Since I am not getting paid at all while I am out, I told my boss I will not be working while on leave. This was in response to him telling me that no back up was needed for my position while I am gone. I don't want everything going to crap, but if he is not bringing in any coverage, I don't want him to have the expectation that I will be working for no pay while I am supposed to be on ML. He is annoyed. Am I being petty, and should I do what I need to do, or agree to some level of communication while I am out, or would you stand your ground? My view is a bit tainted here because I don't care for my job or my boss, but I can see him completely taking advantage of this situation so I need to be careful.

I was going to agree to working maybe 8 hours a week remotely for the second 6 weeks that I am out, which I could get paid for and then tack on to my FMLA, but the way they administer FMLA here, my boss would be the one responsible for revising my pay as needed, and I have had serious issues with my pay being wrong for months in the past because changes were not put in when they were supposed to be. Rather than dealing with that on top of trying to care for a newborn and squeeze work in, I am opting to just take the 12 weeks straight unpaid.

*sparky* · February 2014

Thanks everyone. It seems logical to me, but like I said he is annoyed and I really don't care for my job so I am just trying to get a sanity check. If he is truly not bringing in anyone, then it will definitely be hard to put a limit on how much I do while out, if I agreed to do anything, so it is best to just not open that door. Plus, I am not getting paid so....

Serenla · February 2014

No pay=no work. Why would anyone even consider that?

*sparky* · February 2014

Serenla said:

No pay=no work. Why would anyone even consider that?

I know - like I said it seems logical but he is acting like I am being unreasonable. At my old job, when I had DS, it was a very different environment and I did check in and get information for people periodically after the first few weeks. This is the first time I have really said that I am totally checking out, but it seems like the right thing to do.

*sparky* · February 2014

@LalaMama81 - I will not mention it at all.

DemoDoll · February 2014

I would not work at all if I were you! I am a project manager so last time I was on leave I still had my phone on me and answered a few emails here and there but it took maybe an hour out of my maternity leave each week. It was for my projects that I would be getting a bonus on at the end of the year so I looked at it like I would probably be compensated more with my bonus if my Projects ran as smooth as possible to maximize profit.

RedDawnsRevenge · February 2014

No pay no work. They wouldn't work for free why should you?

LittleLady77 · February 2014

No way! Don't do work while on leave, paid or not! My company shuts my email access off so I'm not temped to work.

Rrrrrachel · February 2014

You are definitely not being petty. How is this even a question?? I would probably feel ok about answering an email here or there, but if you know your boss is a jerk you may need to set firmer boundaries than that and that's ok!!

nycgirlkat · February 2014

I wouldn't work at all during leave. You have every right not to during your legally allowed 12 weeks. I'm only taking 9 weeks and I plan on shutting off business emails to my iPhone while I'm gone. I'm an admin assistant to a very large and needy department. I'll have one butt to wipe all day long, I don't need to do everyone else's along with it!!! They will have to make do (no pun intended).

katieharpiceland · February 2014

Ummmm...no one can make you work for free while on leave! If your boss doesn't hire a temporary replacement, that's his problem, not yours!

buffyjsa · February 2014

I totally agree with everyone else; you're on maternity leave and should enjoy spending time with your little one. Especially without STD or any kind of compensation, that's about the tine to tell your boss bite me! FYI, I refuse to do any work even while I'm out on vacation for a short time - if I'm not in work, don't contact me!

joules40 · February 2014

Don't work!!!
Maybe your boss will learn to appreciate you more since he won't hire a replacement. He'll see how much work you do if there's no one there to to it!

amhah09 · February 2014

No. I would not be working while out on FMLA especially if you aren't getting paid.

*sparky* · February 2014

@joules40 - I hope so! He has been here a year and has never bothered to figure out exactly what I do and obviously he seems to think it is not much. In reality, if I were out maybe 2 weeks things could slide, but 12 weeks - no way!

lcr23 · February 2014

I agree with everyone, don't work! I would outline your tasks and duties to be helpful but it's not your responsibility to work while on FMLA if they haven't figured out a backup plan by now.

BiggerinRealLife · February 2014

Leave is leave. Stick to your guns. If you do decide to work, which I totally wouldn't if I were you, make sure you keep careful track of your hours and are clear from the beginning with your employer that you expect any time you spend working to not be counted for FMLA. You can stretch out your leave that way, or have some saved up for later in case you need it.

But as everyone else said, it's your employer's job to find coverage for you while you're out. You are not obligated to work while on leave.

mrsB68 · February 2014

I won't be doing a single thing work related while on leave!

Mustardseed2007 · February 2014

What he seems to be expecting isn't even legal. I might work during part of my leave but u can be damn sure I'm going to record that time as work time and it will extend my fmla (tho I'm not going to stay out longer than fmla allows) and reduce the amount of std I use (I do get paid leave through my company's self administered std, but if I'm working I'm not using std; I'll save it for some potential illness later this year).

maelic · February 2014

He sounds like an asshole. Document that he has stated he does not intend to hire a replacement and document allllll the work you do now.

I'd be afraid he'd completely fuck up the department in your absence and then try to pin it on you when you get back. Cover your ass: incompetent asshole bosses are dangerous.

*sparky* · February 2014

maelic said:

He sounds like an asshole. Document that he has stated he does not intend to hire a replacement and document allllll the work you do now. I'd be afraid he'd completely fuck up the department in your absence and then try to pin it on you when you get back. Cover your ass: incompetent asshole bosses are dangerous.

Well yes, he kind of is. The whole department has all sorts of issues with him. I know he is also secretly trying to hire someone who may take over some of my work and I am afraid he is working on screwing me out of a job anyway.

StefanieFacchini · February 2014

Because I'm in Canada and we get 52 weeks paid this is insane to me. Take your 12 weeks!!! It's your employers responsibility!

*sparky* · February 2014

aronie82 said:

If you are eligible to take FMLA then they have to offer you a job to return to.

I know that - but that doesn't mean I won't get fired shortly afterward. He is definitely working on bringing someone in who is capable of handling most of what I do. I just don't know where that leaves me.

Sdieringer01 · February 2014

I understand where you are coming from. Even though your boss doesn't seem to be thinking clearly, you still don't want your position to suffer. With that said, I wouldn't work. I worked during my 2nd leave ( my choice) and it sucked! I felt like I had no time with my baby and if this is your first you will not want to give up a minute of it.

What about putting together a list of your duties for your boss so that he is aware of what you do? Make it clear to him that you do not plan to work during leave but will be happy to train someone to take over your duties while you are off. Hope it works out for you.

pineconey · February 2014

maybe do some job hunting while out on leave....

ajduke18 · February 2014

I am not allowed to work when out on STD/FMLA. When I go out they will make me turn in my cell phone and laptop and they disable my e-mail account and other programs.

*sparky* · February 2014

pineconey said:

maybe do some job hunting while out on leave....

LOL - I may do that. The problem is, my job allows me to work PT with decent pay, and that is hard to find. Because of my DH's job I cannot work FT for the next year or so. That is really the only reason I am sticking it out. But I really think I may be replaced soon so I do need to start searching.

MamaPiers · February 2014

I would not work without pay while on medical leave.

Sisimama10 · February 2014

No pay = no work!

Want a personalized experience?

Maternity Leave - Am I being petty or WWYD?

Re: Maternity Leave - Am I being petty or WWYD?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards