Maternity Leave (requesting extra time)

scharle3 · June 2015

So I initially said I was going to take 8 weeks maternity leave off. Where I work you to use your leave which is annual/sick and or FMLA if you don't have the appropriate amount of leave. So as time is approaching for me to go back to work, I thinking about requesting 2 more weeks off. I trying to work up an email to send to my supervisor, but I don't really know what to say, I guess I'm afaid he's going to ask why. It's really because time is going by so fast that I would like to spend a little more time with my little man, also I wanted to make until my son's 2 month appointment for him to start daycare and also my 2nd doctor's appointment, I had C-section. So I want to send the request with mimiual questioning, any advice on how to word request.

ldmw · June 2015

I would be completely honest with them. It happens more often than you think. Was your c-section planned or unplanned. If unplanned, I'd mention that as it requires 8 weeks recovery. So you haven't even had a chance to enjoy some non-recovery time yet. I actually would recommend a phone call vs. an email also.

scharle3 · June 2015

My C-section was unplanned....I was planning on emailing vs calling so I can have it for my records, plus my boss is always out of office, so It's kinda hard for me to pinpoint when he will be in. So I thought initiating the e-mail will prompt my supervisor to call me if they have any questions.

Amber Woods · June 2015

I think that is perfectly reasonable!

scharle3 · June 2015

You have any advice on how to word the email @Amber Woods

CateOfChicago · June 2015

You'll need a release form from your doctor to go back. Most OBs are pretty lenient and will give you the date you want. If you don't want to deal with questions, ask him/her to push it out 2 weeks.

JenGrl8503 · June 2015

I work in HR...

Legally you can take up to 12 weeks of FMLA time for the birth of a baby (unless you already used FMLA time in the previous 12 months as you only get 12 weeks per year)...sooo your supervisor cannot deny your request.

If you have any concerns that your supervisor may try to deny it or will give you a hard time once back at work, then I would make the request through HR...technically your supervisor is not supposed to know what reason for needing FMLA is...obviously pregnancy is pretty obvious but legally HR should be handling FMLA requests, approvals, denials, etc.

If you have a good relationship with your supervisor and don't want to go through HR...my recommendation is keep the email short and sweet...I was previously granted 8 weeks of leave time with a return to work date of .... I need to request an additional 2 weeks of leave time, moving my return to work date to .... Please let me know if there is any additional paperwork required from my doctor. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at (phone #).

I would not put any specific reason in the email.

You most likely will need to complete new FMLA paperwork if it was already submitted with the earlier return to work date.

Good luck and enjoy the extra time!!!

scharle3 · June 2015

Thank you @JenGrl8503. I work for the government, so I did not have to take FMLA, because we have to use our own leave if we have it. So there was no paperwork to fill out, just sent my supervisor an email once I calculated how many days I wanted to be off prior to going on maternity leave. thank you I will use your advice and send a short email stating I will need additional 2 weeks with the date I plan to return back to work.

JenGrl8503 · June 2015

Just in case your supervisor pushes back against you taking 2 more weeks off....

I double checked because I don't have government experience but the FMLA Act does apply to government employees. FMLA is only job protection and is unpaid. While you are required to use your leave time in order to get paid while you are off, to protect your job they should have still had you complete FMLA paperwork. Legally your employer is supposed to provide you with FMLA papers whether you choose to complete them or not. Some companies allow employees to use their leave time and FMLA separately...ex) you use 4 weeks of leave time then an additional 12 weeks unpaid...however most companies require that they run concurrently...ex) you get 12 weeks off, 4 are paid using your leave time and remaining 8 are unpaid.

Either way, unless these 2 extra weeks put your total time off for baby at more than 12 weeks, your supervisor can't legally deny your request

JazzJustJazz · June 2015

Question... My job said I had to use my own personal leave while I'm on maternity leave... NONE of that makes sense to me. I have 16 weeks by FMLA and UNUM is paying me for 8, meaning the other 8 I'm not getting paid which is fine. But I don't want to use my personal leave. When I get back to work I'll still need time off for Dr's appts

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