F-U "maternity leave"

TunieBee · November 2015

I know there have already been discussions on this, but they were awhile ago...

I just found out I literally have ZERO maternity leave. I'm a nurse practitioner in a very large medical practice (hundreds of employees and over 200 doctors/NPs/PA) and apparently I do not qualify for FMLA because I only work part-time. My company offers NO maternity leave outside of FMLA. I was instructed by HR to come to an agreement with my fellow physician about my maternity leave. Luckily, she is a woman with two children and very reasonable. She was also fairly taken aback by this. We agreed I will take 12 weeks and we can reassess whether I need more or less. Per my company's non-policy this will all be without pay. Ughhhhh.

Thanks for anyone who read that whole rant. I understand my situation is not unique and many people have it even worse than I do, at least I am allowed to take off the time I feel I need.

ETA: I now realize this should probably go in the Bitchfest Monday thread. Apologies.

Corts · November 2015

You may be eligible for short term disability. Check your state government website.

berky84 · November 2015

Corts said:

You may be eligible for short term disability. Check your state government website.

Definitely do this.

And I'm so sorry. My maternity leave situation blows also. It's such a shame.

TunieBee · November 2015

Thanks, ladies! I just sent an email to HR, it is our open enrollment time so perhaps I can sign up for short-term disability. Is it likely they will let me given that I am already pregnant?

NicknShan · November 2015

TunieBee said:

Thanks, ladies! I just sent an email to HR, it is our open enrollment time so perhaps I can sign up for short-term disability. Is it likely they will let me given that I am already pregnant?

If you are eligible, yes you can enroll in short term disability while pregnant. It's all the payment most companies offer for their "paid maternity leave". Yes, that is my short term disability.

almostpriceless · November 2015

My company's short term disability coverage requires you to be covered for 180 days prior to a pregnancy to use it as "maternity leave", which is terrible because accidents happen and getting pregnant on purpose can't be 100% timed either. I also live in Texas where they give ZERO EFF's about women, their reproduction or careers, so going through the state isn't an option here.

'MERICA!

TunieBee · November 2015

Oh, the icing on the cake, even though we will "make an agreement", my job is not secured, they could let me go and hire someone else...While I have confidence I am an asset to my company and this wouldn't happen, isn't that a lovely thing to add to the worry list along with a pregnancy, recovery and new baby?

MynaBird · November 2015

Ugh, that sucks. I'm sorry. Glad you were able to come to an understanding, but it really blows that it's all unpaid. This country needs to bring its maternal leave policies into the 21st century.

I was at a different job during my last pregnancy, at a small family-owned business. They were small enough that they didn't have to comply with FMLA and they had an eight-week mat leave policy (seven of them unpaid). I was a really productive employee who helped secure a lot of lucrative new business. I put together a proposal under which I would have taken only six weeks in exchange for the ability to work from home for the next six weeks -- so out of the office 12 weeks total, but only truly on leave for six, and generating billable work the other six. The family owners made up some flimsy reason they claimed it wouldn't work. So I took my eight weeks, came back, and immediately found another job where they were willing to accommodate my commitment to my family. Saw my old employers at an event recently and they made an overture at hiring me back. Forget it. My career is important to me, but my family comes first, and I'm fortunate to be in a position to use that as a determining factor when I decide where I'm going to work. And when one of my employees had a baby this year, I worked with her to come up with a mat leave and return-to-work schedule that was best for her family.

TunieBee · November 2015

Ugh. If only I could work from home... Maybe I could see my patients via Skype? Or not...

catherinekate · November 2015

I hear you and sympathize. I'm a PhD candidate and only teach PT. I am lucky enough to have my due date after classes are done and then I'll just not apply for work, de facto giving me unpaid time off. Would probably have had to forfeit the last semester of my contract if my due date was sooner. Really sucks. Solidarity to everyone in precarious/insecure work environments.

Linsbins · November 2015

Short term disability is different in every state. Here in CA, my policy for teachers (hubby sold it me lol) will kick in as long as it starts before a doctor confirms my pregnancy. So if you can get one and it kicks in January 1, it wouldn't apply unless a doctor confirmed your pregnancy January 2 or later. Go jump on it today and find out what you can!

samsonator · November 2015

Ugh that sucks. The US has such crap for maternity leave. I want to move to Canada!

MynaBird · November 2015

TunieBee said:

Ugh. If only I could work from home... Maybe I could see my patients via Skype? Or not...

Telemedicine! It's a real thing. Convince them you're being a technological pioneer.

Mr0616 · November 2015

You aren't alone! I get 12 weeks unpaid only bc my boss is okay with it. I didn't sign up for short term disability since we had been trying for 3 months. It would have been more money out of the paycheck that I would never have been able to get back since I would have had a baby in less than 9 months. If we didn't become pregnant in September it would have made sense to sign up, but I had a feeling that it would have been useless. Which now I know it would have been.

LizM61409 · November 2015

My advice: next november vote for people who will make paid maternity leave happen. I have a sneaking suspicion that won't be the candidate who once characterized breastfeeding as "disgusting"

goldie987 · November 2015

I can't believe I have one of the better policies because I thought our 6 weeks paid was kind of crap!

Linsbins · November 2015

I have a good one too, but it's only because I've been paying $100 every month for the last year on my teaching salary. But I'll get 80 percent of my pay, so I'll be happy soon enough.

jmcd1285 · November 2015

My companies is a joke too. I have to use up all the pto I earn throughout the year then have to take short term disability. Since when is being pregnant a disability??

BlackAndGold09 · November 2015

I'm in the same boat, to make things better, I am due 4 weeks before my 1 year anniversary with the company.

KaylaR628 · November 2015

I would definitely check about short-term disability requirements, because at my work they did a blood and urine test before I qualified and I know I wouldn't have qualified if I was pregnant at the time. Good luck!

HBamama2B · November 2015

@TunieBee I'm sorry, that really sucks. I have only short-term disability for a couple weeks and then unpaid and DH has not a single day, so I'm pretty upset about it, too. I'm glad you posted. This is archaic. It's absolutely ridiculous that a nurse practitioner in a large hospital shouldn't have a generous parental leave policy. I can't change it for you immediately (def working on it with advocation and voting!) just share my sympathy.

totsabounding · November 2015

almostpriceless said:

My company's short term disability coverage requires you to be covered for 180 days prior to a pregnancy to use it as "maternity leave", which is terrible because accidents happen and getting pregnant on purpose can't be 100% timed either. I also live in Texas where they give ZERO EFF's about women, their reproduction or careers, so going through the state isn't an option here. 'MERICA!

Yes, I had my first baby in Texas and I believe it was the same for my short term disability, too. I was so glad I had signed up for it in advance. You definitely don't qualify if already pregnant. Jerks.

nicolesmith0624 · November 2015

I'm so sorry you're all dealing with such crap. With all the advances made in the US, you'd think we wouldn't be almost dead last (behind freaking third world countries) in maternity leave. It's ridiculous.

RMLandy · November 2015

nicolesmith0624 said:
I'm so sorry you're all dealing with such crap. With all the advances made in the US, you'd think we wouldn't be almost dead last (behind freaking third world countries) in maternity leave. It's ridiculous.

I'm curious which third world countries have better maternity leave policies than the US and what the actual employment rate for women in those countries is? I'm no fan of the maternity leave options in the US but it seems a stretch to be comparing us to third world countries, some of which don't even educate girls much less pay women to have children.

Bear14+ · November 2015

RMLandy said:

nicolesmith0624 said:
I'm so sorry you're all dealing with such crap. With all the advances made in the US, you'd think we wouldn't be almost dead last (behind freaking third world countries) in maternity leave. It's ridiculous.
I'm curious which third world countries have better maternity leave policies than the US and what the actual employment rate for women in those countries is? I'm no fan of the maternity leave options in the US but it seems a stretch to be comparing us to third world countries, some of which don't even educate girls much less pay women to have children.

Someone posted this earlier on a different thread I think. Speaks for itself.

nicolesmith0624 · November 2015

Thank you for posting that, @Bear14+! I was looking for the graphic.

CopperLane · November 2015

I laugh when I hear FMLA referred to as maternity leave. It's such a joke. Some states have a policy that part time employees are entitled to PTO now, you'd think that with that it would also include FMLA. It's great that your boss is willing to let you take 12 weeks and still hold your position!

I'm in a position where I'll get 12 weeks and I telecommute so I have more flexibility with keeping a baby at home. Unfortunately I don't qualify for short term disability or get any pay those 12 weeks. I'll take what I can get, though.

june2016baby · November 2015

Sgoldberg247 said:
I can't believe I have one of the better policies because I thought our 6 weeks paid was kind of crap!

Are you eligible for more afterwards, unpaid?

jmcd1285 · November 2015

My companies is a joke too. I have to use up all the pto I earn throughout the year then have to take short term disability. Since when is being pregnant a disability??

amandalee620 · November 2015

I'm a bartender. I make good money but I have ZERO paid maternity. I will only be able to afford maybe a month off with my baby. Luckily my mom only works weekends so I will have a free full time nanny I trust!

HBamama2B · November 2015

@Bear14+ That's it!!! I'm moving to Sweden! Off to have my anchor baby, farewell NYC!

chloe97 · November 2015

I work for a not to be named nonprofit that advocates that all pregnant women get 12 weeks paid maternity leave. Guess how many we are guaranteed as staff? 6!!!! Granted I can use my banked sick and vacation time for the other other 6 and since I've been there 10+ years, I will have no issues this pregnancy. However women who haven't banked the sick time because they've had to use to it to take care of sick kids or they used it for their last pregnancy are screwed.

I'm lucky and I'm not complaining, but the hypocrisy is appalling. It was brought to our CEOs attention and the response was "we have a very generous family leave policy". Do as I say not as I do, I guess.

lolonvive · November 2015

Can someone explain how the short term disability works? I haven't told my enployer yet but I work for a small startup and am one of 2 women on a team of 8. There are no maternity leave practices in place, I'll be the first one and the first time they'll even think of this. When I do tell them I want to come in with a plan.

HBamama2B · November 2015

@chloe97 o.0 oh that is boooold. Smh

huskypuppy14 · November 2015

lshamah said:

Can someone explain how the short term disability works? I haven't told my enployer yet but I work for a small startup and am one of 2 women on a team of 8. There are no maternity leave practices in place, I'll be the first one and the first time they'll even think of this. When I do tell them I want to come in with a plan.

Short term disability is an insurance plan where anyone who is sick for an extended period of time, has surgery, or any other medical issue that will cause you to miss work for an extended time can get paid. Usually recovery from birth is included as well. Every company is different though. My company has it as an automatic benefit for all full time employees. I don't have to pay anything for it. It covers birth mothers for at least 6-8 weeks (depending on if it's a vaginal or c section). I'll get paid 100% salary.

Other companies may have you opt in to it, like any other benefit. Some don't pay 100%, it could b 80% or 60%. You really have to talk to your HR department or whoever does your benefits to see if it's an included benefit or not.

I realize I'm very lucky. In addition to the 6-8 weeks short term disability, my company gives any new parent (male or female) an extra 3 weeks paid time off. So that takes me up to 9-11 weeks. Then I can use unpaid time or vacation for the rest. I'm planning to take 12 weeks.

Linsbins · November 2015

huskypuppy14 said:

lshamah said:

Can someone explain how the short term disability works? I haven't told my enployer yet but I work for a small startup and am one of 2 women on a team of 8. There are no maternity leave practices in place, I'll be the first one and the first time they'll even think of this. When I do tell them I want to come in with a plan.

Short term disability is an insurance plan where anyone who is sick for an extended period of time, has surgery, or any other medical issue that will cause you to miss work for an extended time can get paid. Usually recovery from birth is included as well. Every company is different though. My company has it as an automatic benefit for all full time employees. I don't have to pay anything for it. It covers birth mothers for at least 6-8 weeks (depending on if it's a vaginal or c section). I'll get paid 100% salary.

Other companies may have you opt in to it, like any other benefit. Some don't pay 100%, it could b 80% or 60%. You really have to talk to your HR department or whoever does your benefits to see if it's an included benefit or not.

I realize I'm very lucky. In addition to the 6-8 weeks short term disability, my company gives any new parent (male or female) an extra 3 weeks paid time off. So that takes me up to 9-11 weeks. Then I can use unpaid time or vacation for the rest. I'm planning to take 12 weeks.

Mine was an opt-in, paid on top of my regular insurance. But it will be worth it now. It also comes from a company endorsed by my employer and it comes out of my paycheck. You will have to check that the employer and short term disability people will work together- mine does not accept Aflac and a few people have been screwed over because of that.

keerolo · November 2015

I can't even imagine what you ladies go through, your whole families really. It's apalling that in 2015 there is not more family friendly social policies in the US

In Canada, unions were instrumental in fighting for our leave...somehow that change needs to happen for you all soon.

LoveNeverFailsYou27 · November 2015

My company is too small for FMLA but they offered 12 weeks unpaid with my last and 12 weeks unpaid with this one. Although I could tell they were upset I was pregnant again so soon (this time last year I was on maternity leave).

It's awful though because we're a tech company that help businesses setup telecommutes for their employees, but they won't let me work from home. All the males in the company can (and one female) but not my department.

I couldn't nurse with my first either because they wanted all my pumping time to be unpaid and to make it up that same day. With a two hour commute for the day and a 9 hour shift, adding on an extra hour or so is a recipe for disaster. I plan to go on leave and never return there.

lm45678 · November 2015

Sgoldberg247 said:
I can't believe I have one of the better policies because I thought our 6 weeks paid was kind of crap!

Same! I get 4 weeks paid (if I have the sick days) and then I can use FMLA for 12 weeks inpaid. That's why I was so anal about planning this baby so I can use the summer too. I will get 6 months home with LO, but only 4 weeks are paid.

izzyp25 · November 2015

We get 8 weeks paid and can take an additional 4 unpaid under FMLA...but during those 8 weeks they concurrently take any of your sick and vacation time. So essentially I will be using my 8 weeks of accrued sick leave as my maternity leave and then when I come back I will have absolutely 0 available time off! YAY!

goldie987 · November 2015

june2016baby said:

Sgoldberg247 said:
I can't believe I have one of the better policies because I thought our 6 weeks paid was kind of crap!
Are you eligible for more afterwards, unpaid?

Up to 6 months unpaid with consent from my boss. She said she'll gladly do 3 and reevaluate, possibly working part time from home for the other 3 months. I also am in academia on stipend pay with no official PTO days from the University, its all negotiation with my boss as to when I can and can't take off. Fortunately she had health issues with her second child months after starting her postdoctoral position and was given 5 months working from home with full pay after her maternity leave ended so she is very sympathetic to family needs. I knew America had crap leave but I didn't realize how crap it was all over.

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