No FMLA and only four weeks off

kyle1117 · October 2014

I was an unpaid intern last year for 10 months at a government agency and I got hired in August of this year. I am due in January and I was told I did not qualify for FMLA or disability; however, they are providing me with four weeks unpaid personal leave. If I take longer than that my contract will be terminated ;(. I am really stressed out because I heard women need a minimum of six weeks to recover from vaginal birth or eight from c-section. Also, I am catching up in my bills and it is going to be hard if I lose my job and I have not been able to save. Is anyone else going through the same situation? Any suggestions?

southernyankeegirl · October 2014

It sucks our country doesn't have mandated maternity leave - however, many before you have gone back to work that quickly. My friend who had a c-section said she was back to normal within a month. It isn't ideal, especially if you are trying to establish breast feeding, but you probably will be just fine returning after 4 weeks.

tripletoe · October 2014

How awful! You will make it work if you have to.

elleswarth · October 2014

I'm kind of in the same spot, I switched positions in September, so therefore I don't qualify for FMLA, and they don't have to hold my position. I'm allowed to take 6 weeks for vag and 8 for a section with short term disability as long as I have 36 hours of sick/vacation time accrued and use that for the first week I'm off. I get 6 hours every 2 weeks. So, if God forbid this baby comes any earlier than November 21st, I won't qualify for short term. So many rules, and also have to worry about my position being filled. Ugh. But I can tell you as a STM, it does not take 6-8 weeks to heal. I was fine from my vaginal delivery about 2-3 weeks later, taking nothing more than Motrin when needed. I wouldn't stress about it because it won't change the fact that our country has terrible maternity laws.

sanbry · October 2014

I also will say if you have a relatively uncomplicated delivery, c section or vaginal, you should feel fine to return at 4 weeks. I had a borderline emergency c section and felt almost normal again at 4 weeks pp, other than still having some post partum bleeding. Everyone is different but physically you will likely be fine going back if you have to!

Maebb · October 2014

Sorry you're going through this. As long as your job isn't physically demanding, I would have been fine to return to work after 4 weeks. I had a vaginal delivery with a little tearing. Of course it would have been hard emotionally, and it sucks that your company isn't giving you more time.

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Edvent · October 2014

It sucks for sure, but you can make it work if you don't have another choice. I had an emergency csection (after 12 hours of labor which apparently makes recovery worse), then needed an additionally surgery later that night under general anesthesia to basically redo my csection because of bleeding issues. I went back to work at 6 weeks and probably could have gone back at 4 if I'd had to. If make sure you have a lot of help during recovery so you can rest and not have to over do it before you go back to work. Also maybe ask if you can return part time for a few weeks.

Samiantha101 · October 2014

I was physically fine to return to work before 4 weeks pp. I just certainly didn't want to. You can make it work!

ghostof5letters · October 2014

I had a c/s with my first and went back after two weeks. It's not ideal, but it's not impossible either.

With this second c/s I felt fantastic at the two week mark.

Now, if your job has a physical aspect to it, then that's a whole other ball of wax.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

FitmomJess · October 2014

That sucks. Most daycares won't take infants until they are 6 weeks old either.

AlfiesMOM · October 2014

I was going to echo what others have said, barring any complications you most likely will be physically fine however emotionally that will be hard. Could you work from home at all, not sure what you do. I know a lot of government agencies are moving to telework where possible. Maybe you could try and make an arrangement to telework for a few additional weeks. Its hard but infants sleep so much it would be possible.

shakalex · October 2014

You will be fine and so will your baby. The problem will Arise when you look for child care services. Most providers wants the baby to be 6 weeks

shakalex · October 2014

One of my coworkers a teacher sat out for two weeks.0

pleirey · October 2014

As a Federal employee myself, I completely understand the frustration. I think it's terrible how they have it set up that you have to be a permanent employee and have been employed for 12 months before you qualitfy for FMLA for anything. And even if you are a permanent employee you only get paid for the amount of leave you've accrued unless people are nice enough to donate leave to you. I had a c/s with DS and had complications with the healing of the incision and had to go back after 6 weeks because I couldn't afford to be out for more than that even though I wasn't 100% healed at that point. My experience with healing from c/s was definitely NOT the norm, so please, no one take it as a normal outcome.

@Kyle1117 , I realize you JUST got hired a few months ago and are probably still in that probationary period so the availability of options is slim. I really wish I had suggestions for you on options. Has HR had any other suggestions? Or is there a Union that might have suggestions on loopholes? I, for one, am not a fan of using the Union, but desparate times call for desparate measures.

britb618 · October 2014

That sucks! I echo what @pleirey‌ said- try to speak with hr or union- and also make sure you look into state laws maybe although you don't qualify for fmla there could be a state law that does apply. I would also mention to hr what if your doctor orders you out for longer? Will they fire you? Bc that could be discrimination. You have no idea how you will react to birth and how you will be feeling- like many other women said most of us felt fine by then but wouldn't emotionally have been happy leaving our child- you can do it of course- but if there's anyway to avoid this situation I hope you find it!

luvinlifeMN · October 2014

I work for a very small company (2 owners, 3 staff). We do not have FMLA leave due to our size, no short term disability coverage (and policies I take on my own do not cover labor and delivery). I will be out 5 weeks full time, with another 3 week transition time of being in 2 days/week and then I'll be back in like normal.

I did the same thing with my DD. Was I ready physically to come back, yes. Emotionally, NO! But, it is what it is. I have the benefit of my husband being home on the days I work during the transition time so DS won't have to go to daycare until I'm back full time.

You will both be okay. There are some breastfeeding issues that can come up (baby won't take bottle and pumping schedule at work for example) that need to be considered and addressed, but overall we did okay.

FitmomJess · October 2014

I used to work on a base and the only good part was the reduced price on the on-site childcare. If you have one where you work I would get on the waitlist.

aremac · October 2014

I'm only taking four weeks away, my H will take a leave then.
My great aunt gave birth to twins while tending sheep and walked home through the fields. People manage.

kyle1117 · October 2014

Thanks! No, HR has been no help and are treating me like I stole something from them. If I go beyond the four weeks they will cancel my contract but my boss can petition for my job back. The union does not have answers for me either. Thanks for your comment.

kyle1117 · October 2014

Thanks everyone for your comments and wishes. It makes me feel better that other women have done it. Thanks again.

Jellybean707 · October 2014

FitmomJess said:
That sucks. Most daycares won't take infants until they are 6 weeks old either.

This is what I was thinking. Make sure you get child care lined up ASAP if you have not already.

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No FMLA and only four weeks off

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