Oh sh*t...FMLA Rant

[LovesMeSomeCake]

Well, it looks like I won't meet the requirements for FMLA.  I started my job 3/12 and will deliver 1/1, about 6 weeks short of a year. Which is such a suck.


 It is a large company and they give 8-10 weeks for a birth (V vs C) but still, was hoping for a bit longer before I had to put baby in daycare.  


Has anyone been in a similar situation? My understanding is that if I take the two extra weeks of STDisability then there is no legal coverage for them to 'hold' my position.   In corporate America is this going to be an issue?

[rinny]

@lovemesomecake yes, this was me with #1. You can still start fmla after your STD is up. I think you can take up to 12 weeks in the first year. I was exactly 6 weeks short of a year when I delivered, but could then take FMLA once I crossed the year mark.

I'd talk to HR once you're out, but I stressed a lot about this and it ended up being a non-issue.

[heybulldog56]

I am no help here, LovesMeSomeCake. Just hugs and FX for a solution.

[NariaDreaming]

I won't have any leave protection. I'm planning on requesting 8 weeks and going from there.

It helps that I work for an organization that his family focused and health-conscious

[thelittleredm]

My workplace doesn't offer any sort of maternity leave but you can use STDisability to get up 11 weeks off. Luckily, I'll qualify for FMLA starting 1/1/17 so this little bean better stay put until then Lol

[ashtog]

No help or advice, but that sucks and I'm sorry. Hope it all works out somehow

[otepoti]

No advice here either, tbh it all goes over my head. *hugs*

[siouxsieq]

I'm sorry. Navigating all of this is so sucky. Where I work you have to use sick/vacation time for your maternity leave, and I didn't use FMLA because I don't think I really understood how it worked. It ended up fine. Do you get the sense that the company you work for is family friendly? In my experience, HR offices are very helpful in helping you find the best way to meet your needs. I hope they can help you!

[lindsay]

This stuff is the worst.

I imagine they'd be willing to work with you for those few weeks that you're not technically guaranteed your job, just because it's the right thing to do especially if you give them plenty of notice and share your intent to return to work.

Side note- does anyone's company require you exhaust your PTO while on leave, before you can take time off unpaid? It makes me nervous because what if one of the kids or I get sick and I have to unexpectedly take PTO? Also it sucks to think i can't take any time off next year!! Unless I only take 6-8 weeks of leave on STD, and then save a little PTO.

[NariaDreaming]

May 19, 2016 15:15:05 GMT -5 lindsay said:

This stuff is the worst.

I imagine they'd be willing to work with you for those few weeks that you're not technically guaranteed your job, just because it's the right thing to do especially if you give them plenty of notice and share your intent to return to work.

Side note- does anyone's company require you exhaust your PTO while on leave, before you can take time off unpaid? It makes me nervous because what if one of the kids or I get sick and I have to unexpectedly take PTO? Also it sucks to think i can't take any time off next year!! Unless I only take 6-8 weeks of leave on STD, and then save a little PTO.

Most companies have that policy. The ones who don't are fucking themselves from an HR perspective. Since you could take your STD, then any accrued time off, and then still be able to take 12 additional weeks off.

[geekmama]

I agree with talking with HR. If your company isn't a complete jerk, they'll work with you since you're so close to the limit. FMLA requires them to hold your job for you, but that doesn't mean they can't otherwise.

Also, seriously, maternity leave policies in the U.S. are total shit. They're pretty much the reason I left a job I loved, not that I don't love being a SAHM (most of the time ). I couldn't go back at 12 weeks. Six months or a year like every other developed country has? Sure. Twelve weeks, not so much. I was still a walking dairy bar at that point.

[LovesMeSomeCake]

so, they are forcing you to take unpaid days when baby gets sick, or you are sick or the million other things that happen? slow clap for corporate america.