Poll: How long is (was) your maternity leave?

[Guest guest]

I work for a company with probably at least 10,000 employees. (A major

hospital network.) As far as them having to hold our jobs, we get the

federally

mandated 12 weeks for FMLA. We, of course, can take however much time needed

according to the doctors and their recommendation for our disability without

them guaranteeing us a job back. Basically our disability works that we

have to take PTO time for the first 30 days of our disability, then STD picks

up

and pays us 60% through 22 weeks. Then we can switch to LTD. However,

maternity leave, unless you have complications, rarely stretches beyond the 6-8

week period as far as the technical disability portion. You may ask for and

receive an extended leave of absence, but unless laws have changed or you have

a contract otherwise, they are not guaranteed to hold your job. Even if

you're medically on leave longer than the 12 weeks of FMLA and collecting STD

or

LTD, they are within their legal rights to fill your position and once you

are no longer disabled you are no longer employed.

Mandi in Concord, NC

[Guest guest]

Hi guys. Tomorrow the HR dept will outline my workplace's maternity

leave policy. Rumor has it that it's 6 months only, with possible

extensions. My boss was mortified to find out I want 9 months off(of

course unpaid). She's not entirely wise----creating a tense &

stressful work environment for this delicate preggo, esp one that is

thoroughly aware of her federal civil rights.

WlsMomma

EDD 12/20ish/04

[Guest guest]

I have no idea how long mine will be. Guess that is something I need

to prepare for and figure out huh? ACK.

You said you knew you " federal civil rights " --care to share those

with me so I can be armed (and dangerous) lol. Thanks.

> Hi guys. Tomorrow the HR dept will outline my workplace's maternity

> leave policy. Rumor has it that it's 6 months only, with possible

> extensions. My boss was mortified to find out I want 9 months off

(of

> course unpaid). She's not entirely wise----creating a tense &

> stressful work environment for this delicate preggo, esp one that is

> thoroughly aware of her federal civil rights.

> WlsMomma

> EDD 12/20ish/04

[Guest guest]

I didn't realize the term " maternity leave " even existed in corporate

lingo anymore. I was put on partial bed rest for twin pregnancy,

which qualified me to apply for 6-8 weeks Short Term Disability

(Colorado) then immediately after the babies are born another 6 weeks

of STD will be automatically enacted. This allows me a total of 3

months leave which is lucky since most uneventful, healthy

pregnancies and births only get 6 weeks (STD only pays 66.67% of

regular income).

Once I have used up the STD allotted to me, post birth, if necessary,

I can enact my FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) which only allows 3

months of leave (unpaid) and you must be allowed to return to your

job at the same or equal position with the same pay as when you left.

My research indicated that I couldn't enact my FMLA UNLESS there were

medical reasons to have to take care of myself and/or a family

member. I'm keeping faith that neither I nor the babies will have a

medical reason for me to have to stay home or enact FMLA.

Six months actually seems like quite a generous amount of time,

corporately speaking, lol. I know that when we're speaking on the

mommy side of things, that measley 6 months just doesn't seem to cut

it. I would love to be able to stay home longer with my little ones,

but knowing the ins and outs of our corporate (and state) policies

for medical leave, I know its not possible without repercussions.

Unfortunately federal or civil rights aren't likely to play a role in

how much time one is allowed off for medical reasons. These decisions

are usually made at a state, county, and corporate level. Loopholes

are certainly hard to find these days (covering butts seems to be

priority in business) but if, of course, there is any discrimination

involved, then federal or civil rights should be looked into.

Toi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> Hi guys. Tomorrow the HR dept will outline my workplace's maternity

> leave policy. Rumor has it that it's 6 months only, with possible

> extensions. My boss was mortified to find out I want 9 months off

(of

> course unpaid). She's not entirely wise----creating a tense &

> stressful work environment for this delicate preggo, esp one that is

> thoroughly aware of her federal civil rights.

> WlsMomma

> EDD 12/20ish/04

[Guest guest]

I didn't realize the term " maternity leave " even existed in corporate

lingo anymore (maternity and paternity leave can be considered

discriminatory terms). I was put on partial bed rest for twin

pregnancy, which qualified me to apply for 6-8 weeks Short Term

Disability (Colorado) then immediately after the babies are born

another 6 weeks of STD will be automatically enacted. This allows me

a total of 3 months leave which is lucky since most uneventful,

healthy pregnancies and births only get 6 weeks (STD only pays 66.67%

of regular income).

Once I have used up the STD allotted to me, post birth, if necessary,

I can enact my FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) which only allows 3

months of leave (unpaid) and you must be allowed to return to your

job at the same or equal position with the same pay as when you left.

My research indicated that I couldn't enact my FMLA UNLESS there were

medical reasons to have to take care of myself and/or a family

member. I'm keeping faith that neither I nor the babies will have a

medical reason for me to have to stay home or enact FMLA.

Six months actually seems like quite a generous amount of time,

corporately speaking, lol. I know that when we're speaking on the

mommy side of things, that measley 6 months just doesn't seem to cut

it. I would love to be able to stay home longer with my little ones,

but knowing the ins and outs of our corporate (and state) policies

for medical leave, I know its not possible without repercussions.

Unfortunately federal or civil rights aren't likely to play a role in

how much time one is allowed off for medical reasons. These decisions

are usually made at a state, county, and corporate level. Loopholes

are certainly hard to find these days (covering butts seems to be

priority in business) but if, of course, there is any discrimination

involved, then federal or civil rights should be looked into.

Toi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> Hi guys. Tomorrow the HR dept will outline my workplace's maternity

> leave policy. Rumor has it that it's 6 months only, with possible

> extensions. My boss was mortified to find out I want 9 months off

(of

> course unpaid). She's not entirely wise----creating a tense &

> stressful work environment for this delicate preggo, esp one that is

> thoroughly aware of her federal civil rights.

> WlsMomma

> EDD 12/20ish/04

[Guest guest]

I get 6 weeks paid, 6 weeks unpaid (if I want.. but DUH.. yeah I

want it)..

> Hi guys. Tomorrow the HR dept will outline my workplace's

maternity

> leave policy. Rumor has it that it's 6 months only, with possible

> extensions. My boss was mortified to find out I want 9 months off

(of

> course unpaid). She's not entirely wise----creating a tense &

> stressful work environment for this delicate preggo, esp one that

is

> thoroughly aware of her federal civil rights.

> WlsMomma

> EDD 12/20ish/04

[Guest guest]

My understanding though is FMLA is used at the same time as other unpaid

leave. I have a feeling that is what you are referring to. I might be wrong

but you may not be able to use 6 months unpaid and then another three months

of FMLA.

Ferguson Rasley

mailto:dferguson@...

[Guest guest]

Giving birth is enough to quality for FMLA -- you don't have to be

sick or have a sick baby. However, I believe that the maximum 12

weeks includes the 6 weeks of STD. So it's really just 6 more weeks

of unpaid time after the STD runs out.

There are a couple of catches for qualifying for FMLA -- the company

has to have 50 employees, and you have to have worked for the company

at least a certain number of hours (not sure exactly how many, but I

believe it's equivalent to half-time) for at least a year. I started

my job in January, so they do not have to give me FMLA, since I have

not been here a year. Even though FMLA is just unpaid time. Stinks.

I'm hoping to get some unpaid time off anyway, just a few weeks, but

haven't yet had that conversation with my boss because she's been out

of town and distracted when she is in town. I'm planning to talk to

her on Wednesday morning when she gets back, and it's none too soon!

Thursday I will be 38 weeks pregnant, and at my last doc's visit on

Friday, I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced, so I could go at any time

now!!

Good luck!

Shelley FN

Dallas, TX

Lap RNY 4/5/01

EDD #1 7/15/04 (It's a boy!)

> > Hi guys. Tomorrow the HR dept will outline my workplace's

maternity

> > leave policy. Rumor has it that it's 6 months only, with possible

> > extensions. My boss was mortified to find out I want 9 months off

> (of

> > course unpaid). She's not entirely wise----creating a tense &

> > stressful work environment for this delicate preggo, esp one that

is

> > thoroughly aware of her federal civil rights.

> > WlsMomma

> > EDD 12/20ish/04

[Guest guest]

6 months!!! I only get 6 weeks. Of that 6 weeks, I have to use

whatever sick and vacation time I have to be paid and the rest is

unpaid!! I work for a very small Credit Union and since we dont have

more that 50 employees, they dont have to follow the family leave

act!!

It doesnt matter anyway, I have decided not to come back after she

gets here. 6 More weeks!! I cant wait!!

[Guest guest]

> Hi guys. Tomorrow the HR dept will outline my workplace's maternity

> leave policy. Rumor has it that it's 6 months only, with possible

> extensions. My boss was mortified to find out I want 9 months off

(of

> course unpaid). She's not entirely wise----creating a tense &

> stressful work environment for this delicate preggo, esp one that is

> thoroughly aware of her federal civil rights.

> WlsMomma

> EDD 12/20ish/04

Good question. I am 1/5th owner of a company that is family owned and

we have been discussing this since I found out I was expecting. I run

and manage the business. The group just wants to hire a mid wife and

have me deliver in the office so I can keep working and then they

offered to set up a nursery for the baby so I dont have to take any

time off. ....lol a joke of course. I believe that standard is what

ever sick and vacation you have in your " bank " of leave and then

FLMA. Even as a business owner I am not sure about the under 50

employees no FLMA coverage by law. But my group is planning for 4-6

weeks for me and they are hoping that I want to work some hours in

between it all. Hopefully by that time I am ready we have more help

in the office and I can enjoy the baby and my time off.

~HUGS~ Shalonda

EDD 1/6/05

RNY 9/11/03

[Guest guest]

Birth is definitely enough to qualify for FMLA, but because STD is a

paid leave benefit, for those that qualify (birth is automatic

qualification), I would rather run out of my STD before enacting FMLA

so that I can save those 12 weeks if I need them later in the year.

Some companies try to double dip their employees and run their FMLA

simultanious with STD which is, I believe, not legal (may be

different depending on the corp). After going through this " double

dipping " issue with our corporate office and reviewing the Government

policy for FMLA with them, they realized that it was not appropriate

to force an employee to take FMLA while already being granted STD. It

did turn out, however, that FMLA could run alongside LTD, because the

needs of the company had to be taken into account.

Toi

> Giving birth is enough to quality for FMLA -- you don't have to be

> sick or have a sick baby. However, I believe that the maximum 12

> weeks includes the 6 weeks of STD. So it's really just 6 more weeks

> of unpaid time after the STD runs out.

[Guest guest]

I will be leaving my job when I am about 20 weeks. (Actually I am moving)...My

boss agreed to let me take a leave of absence to decide if I really want to

leave. After talking to my HR dept. I was shocked when the supervisor there

suggested that I take a 30 day personal leave and then take a 12 week medical

leave (which takes me up to 38 weeks). She told me that I could then take 6

weeks maternity leave...and then decide what to do.

For me, this is actually a very good thing if I can do it. I am 39 years old,

and this is my first pregnancy after many miscarriages (the first was actually a

second trimester loss and was followed by many first trimester losses). I also

have a history of Multiple Sclerosis. I think taking time off work would be very

beneficial for myself and my child (due 2-5-05).

After I have the baby, I doubt that I would move back and go back to my job. In

fact, if I have my way...I would love to take an additional 6 months to a yr

off.

WLS 8-18-03

330/199.5

edc 2-5-05

[Guest guest]

Hi Trisha. My friend, who was the lawyer who steamrolled my w l

surgeon, is exploring the issues. My supervisor is against me taking

ANY time off, & all this wouldn't be an issue if I were a man. She's

creating a hostile, stressful & tense environment---resenting the fact

I'm spending time away from 'precious' work to care for my wonderful

miraculous firstborn. Guess I should be feeling a lil

indispensable---NOT!!! Fortunately, I'm employed by contract & not

" at will " like most folks in Florida. & girrrrl, this nervous first

timer doesn't need the tension, gotta watch out for bee-bee's & my health.

Best of luck navigating the tricky waters:-)

WlsMomma

> I have no idea how long mine will be. Guess that is something I need

> to prepare for and figure out huh? ACK.

>

> You said you knew you " federal civil rights " --care to share those

> with me so I can be armed (and dangerous) lol. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hey Toi. Yep, the term is still used, kinda old fashioned, hehe.

Thanks for empathizing with the mommy side of things, this is my very

first kid. We don't have short term disability, gotta purchase an

insurance policy for it. Anyway, HR informed me that any time beyond

6 months I'd have to beg & plead for, oh well.

I have faith that things will fall into place.

Keep up the resting & before you know it, you'll meet 'em beautiful babes.

WlsMomma

[Guest guest]

Thanks Trish. & after the 12 weeks?

WlsMomma

> I get 6 weeks paid, 6 weeks unpaid (if I want.. but DUH.. yeah I

> want it)..

[Guest guest]

After the 12 weeks.. I go back to work.. sigh. I wish I was

independantly wealthy and wouldn't have to.. but you know how that

goes.. LOL!

So, I will head back after the 12 weeks.

-- In OSSG-pregnant , " brideandgroom2001 "

wrote:

> Thanks Trish. & after the 12 weeks?

> WlsMomma

>

>

> > I get 6 weeks paid, 6 weeks unpaid (if I want.. but DUH.. yeah I

> > want it)..

[Guest guest]

You go, !

WlsMomma

> It doesnt matter anyway, I have decided not to come back after she

> gets here. 6 More weeks!! I cant wait!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Excellent, Shalonda! Unlike me, you're an early planner. I was kinda

forced into projecting into the future by a control freak boss.

WlsMomma

> Good question. I am 1/5th owner of a company that is family owned and

> we have been discussing this since I found out I was expecting. I run

> and manage the business. The group just wants to hire a mid wife and

> have me deliver in the office so I can keep working and then they

> offered to set up a nursery for the baby so I dont have to take any

> time off. ....lol a joke of course. I believe that standard is what

> ever sick and vacation you have in your " bank " of leave and then

> FLMA. Even as a business owner I am not sure about the under 50

> employees no FLMA coverage by law. But my group is planning for 4-6

> weeks for me and they are hoping that I want to work some hours in

> between it all. Hopefully by that time I am ready we have more help

> in the office and I can enjoy the baby and my time off.

> ~HUGS~ Shalonda

> EDD 1/6/05

> RNY 9/11/03

[Guest guest]

Yeah, yeah. I meant about child care arrangements. I'm starting to

get friend's referrals & checking out learning centers. I'm a measly

15 weeks, maybe I should wait a little, hehe.

WlsMomma

> After the 12 weeks.. I go back to work.. sigh. I wish I was

> independantly wealthy and wouldn't have to.. but you know how that

> goes.. LOL!

> So, I will head back after the 12 weeks.

[Guest guest]

Oh! sorry about that .. I misunderstood..

Well, if we are living back in Rock Hill, then my sister, who has a

20 month old has said she will be happy to watch him during the day

some.. but more than likely we're going with a church day care in

town that I adore.. hard to get into, I am already on the waiting

list for next February!!! It's NEVER too early to look into them..

most of the really good ones have a waiting list..

> > After the 12 weeks.. I go back to work.. sigh. I wish I was

> > independantly wealthy and wouldn't have to.. but you know how

that

> > goes.. LOL!

> > So, I will head back after the 12 weeks.