New teaching job and FMLA

Re: New teaching job and FMLA

• mommyofkaylin member

  August 2014

  I have a job interview on Monday and was wondering the same thing. I'm sorry you're having to worry about this. Hopefully hr will be understanding.

  

  
  

  Kaylin Lanelle Born 9/2012

  Rylee Amelia due March 5, 2015

  
  

  
  

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• starsailorr26 member

  August 2014

  Unfortunately if you don't qualify for FMLA you will likely only be able to take the time off for your disability prior to the birth and post partum. There are laws protecting pregnant employees and they can't fire or retaliate against you for taking pregnancy leave.
  
  
  I'm sorry HR was rude about it. I work in HR an never would behave that way towards an employee.

  
  
  MC: 2/19/14
  
  
  

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• copperrose member

  August 2014

  sstrom22 said:

  I am starting a new job after having experience at a different district for 7 years and find myself back at the probationary stage.  Without having the 12 months of required work before federal and state FMLA kicks in, I am really worried about taking time off.  I was able to have 15 weeks off with DD because her birthday was mid-May... I realize I won't get that with #2, but not sure if 6 weeks (will be unpaid) will be too short...  on top of that, another teacher who just started has a 5 week old and when she took the job she asked about having time and HR was super rude to her.  My principal was very supportive when I talked with her, but I am scared to death to go in and talk to HR....  I'm already requesting less time than I really want and they are really strict about the laws....

  Anyone else go through this?  I live in WI, so I have no union to back me and there aren't any specific "maternity leave" rules in our handbook (which is what we have to go by now that we don't have unions). 

  Not enjoying this pregnancy AT ALL just due to the stress of how this will affect my job

  I'm not sure what you mean about "time"?  Can your husband take any time?  He should get FMLA if he meets the requirements.  And I'm pretty sure he can take that anytime in a calendar year, so maybe he could stay home after you go back to work?  I returned quickly after having DD and I think the only thing that would have been an issue had I BF but I didn't so I didn't have to worry about making sure all that was good before pumping, etc.
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

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• LBeez13 member

  August 2014

  I went back to work with my first at 8 weeks. It was my choice since it was beginning of school year and I wanted to be there. Everyone is different but I actually felt good getting back to routine at 8 weeks. It helped me start to feel normal again. I know 6 weeks is not much time but at least summer break will come soon after you return right?

  
  

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• 052806 member

  August 2014

  I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have no advice- just sympathy- and gratitude for my teachers union . I hope it works out for you!

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• amemery member

  August 2014

  With my first, I was a new teacher. I was only allowed to take the amount of days needed to heal. I had a csection, so I received 8 weeks. It wasn't too bad at all. My daughter was born in February, and I went back at the end of April. So, I only had 1 month to work. I was able to nurse her all the way through August. Good luck!

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• jackiecmc member

  August 2014

  I'm in the same situation. I accepted a position at a new district before I knew I was pregnant leaving behind FMLA, sick days and my short term disability policy However, after talking to my principal, I know I'll get the minimum of 6 weeks (unpaid - except for whatever sick days I have left). This actually works out because there will only be seven weeks of school left before summer. I hope it all works out for you! I absolutely know how stressful it is!

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• Kristiemccaskey member

  August 2014

  I'm sorry you are in this situation. I'm a teacher in Texas and I didn't realize I picked the wrong short term disability last year when we re did our insurance. It is too late now to fix my disability so my only chose is to just take off 6 weeks. It's not ideal by any means but at least you will only have a few weeks back at work before you're off for the summer. Good luck.  

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• dani727 member

  August 2014

  I'm in exact same boat. I have heard that you can get unpaid medical leave if HR grants it to you and that you must exhaust all sick days in your sick bank (for us we won't have many anyway!). You can also borrow from sick bank although I don't recommend this. I'm hoping I will get additional unpaid medical leave in addition to my 6 wks fmla. It totally sucks and I have spent many hours stressing about it. Truth is, there's nothing I can do yet and I am keeping it a secret till I Oct (from work). Your hubby can prob take fmla when you go back. That's what me and DH are planning on.

  
  

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• sstrom22 member

  August 2014

  Thanks ladies!! Unfortunately, DH is a therapist and is contracted through a company so he could take time, but it would mean not meeting with clients and therefore not getting paid... and potentially losing clients. We may resort to a week of it, but we will see.

  I know this happens to women ALL.THE.TIME and there are women in even more stressful situations than this....  I would like to take 8 weeks.  What is the "medial leave" usually given for postpartum?   Is that the 6 weeks some of you ladies are referring to?

  Thanks again...  support is helpful.  DH doesn't really understand why this is so stressful for me so it has been difficult to really talk it through with anyone

  
  

  @mommyofkaylin, the picture of your daughter is stinking adorable!!

  

  
  

  

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