WWYD: Considering Job Change during Pregnancy

[LadyNymeria]

Basically I hate my job. I've been here almost 2 years - it doesn't feel like the company cares about its employees at all and I don't enjoy what I'm doing.

I've been contacted by a recruiter about 2 positions he thinks I would enjoy much more and that would leave me with less overtime. The commutes would be a bit further, 20 min or 30 min + traffic, while my current is 10-15 min.

I haven't even given them my resume because I'm struggling with the fact that switching jobs while pregnant would make me ineligible for FMLA and I'm worried I wouldn't be able to take any time off.

WWYD: Would you even consider switching jobs during pregnancy? Or would you suck it up at your current job for the remainder of your pregnancy, take your leave, then look to switch?

I know I have to make this decision for myself, but I was just curious what others would do.

[mrsjene]

Only you can decide what's best for you. Having said that, if it were me, I suck it up at the current job then start looking.

[pismoduo]

I would suck it up at the current job and then go looking. Between FMLA and the bank of PTO I'll have built by September, plus just the general peace of mind of knowing that I have that capability, is worth staying in a crap situation.

Now, that only applies if the job is not somehow impacting my health. I'd rather be unemployed than risk my and the baby's health.

[LadyNymeria]

Feb 2, 2016 9:56:56 GMT -5 pismoduo said:

I would suck it up at the current job and then go looking. Between FMLA and the bank of PTO I'll have built by September, plus just the general peace of mind of knowing that I have that capability, is worth staying in a crap situation.

Now, that only applies if the job is not somehow impacting my health. I'd rather be unemployed than risk my and the baby's health.

Good point about the PTO. I'd have a decent amount save up by the time September rolls around if I stay.

And no, the job is not impacting my health, or the baby's.

[sodapop]

I would probably also stay until you come back from mat leave.

[fem]

I might go ahead and interview, and if you really think you would enjoy the new job try to negotiate for maternity leave once they give you an offer. If you're in a field where you could negotiate (I couldn't working in schools).

You're really not going to want to leave your baby to go back to a job you hate.

[Daikoku]

For me, it would depend on the money. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe even if you haven't worked at a place a year, they are obligated to give you the standard FMLA 12 weeks, although they do not have to pay you. If I could do just fine financially to take that time off without pay, I would change jobs. If not, I would stick it out. Maybe my opinion is skewed because I work in a job that doesn't pay during the 12 week leave anyway (even though I've been there 6+ years).

[annapunkalunka]

FMLA is important. But it sucks being unhappy. And it's REALLY hard to go back to work after maternity leave. Even to a job you love. I couldn't imagine having to go back to a job I hate. That's just my 2 cents. I hope you can make a decision that works for you and your family.

[pismoduo]

Feb 2, 2016 10:32:31 GMT -5 Daikoku said:

For me, it would depend on the money. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe even if you haven't worked at a place a year, they are obligated to give you the standard FMLA 12 weeks, although they do not have to pay you. If I could do just fine financially to take that time off without pay, I would change jobs. If not, I would stick it out. Maybe my opinion is skewed because I work in a job that doesn't pay during the 12 week leave anyway (even though I've been there 6+ years).

I'm pretty sure you need to have worked somewhere for a year before being eligible for FMLA, regardless of pay or not. Some places are more generous about it and let you have FMLA protections earlier, but I think the law is the year.

[Daikoku]

Feb 2, 2016 10:35:06 GMT -5 pismoduo said:

Feb 2, 2016 10:32:31 GMT -5 Daikoku said:

For me, it would depend on the money. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe even if you haven't worked at a place a year, they are obligated to give you the standard FMLA 12 weeks, although they do not have to pay you. If I could do just fine financially to take that time off without pay, I would change jobs. If not, I would stick it out. Maybe my opinion is skewed because I work in a job that doesn't pay during the 12 week leave anyway (even though I've been there 6+ years).

I'm pretty sure you need to have worked somewhere for a year before being eligible for FMLA, regardless of pay or not. Some places are more generous about it and let you have FMLA protections earlier, but I think the law is the year.

Thanks for clarifying.

[danielle]

FMLA would be a huge factor for me. If you think it's something you could negotiate, I don't see the harm in trying for the other jobs.

[mrsjene]

I deal with FMLA every day. Just to clarify: FMLA is protected leave. It offers you job protection while you are caring for a newborn, taking care of your own medical condition, etc. Employers are under no obligation to pay you during this time. It is not paid leave. The law indicates that you need to have worked for at least one year AND 1250 hours.

[callmeKD]

I would look for a new job. it doesn't hurt to interview. You may not like the potential employers and you may not get the offered position.

and if a new position/new employer is a good fit, you might be able to negotiate a maternity leave package that you're happy with. or delay your start date.

(Oh and come over to the working parents board. we're fun and the ladies there always have great perspectives on this kind of stuff.)

[f14mama]

Is your FMLA paid? Or is the PTO and STD you would miss out on? Also, can you swing it financially to take an unpaid leave? 7 months is a long time to tough it out if you are miserable. I think you just have to weigh your options, if you can't swing an unpaid leave, you may just have to sit tight and start looking after you come back from maternity leave. If you guys can make it work, I would start interviewing and then seeing what kind of deal new firms can make you.

[LadyNymeria]

Feb 2, 2016 12:38:39 GMT -5 f14mama said:

Is your FMLA paid? Or is the PTO and STD you would miss out on? Also, can you swing it financially to take an unpaid leave? 7 months is a long time to tough it out if you are miserable. I think you just have to weigh your options, if you can't swing an unpaid leave, you may just have to sit tight and start looking after you come back from maternity leave. If you guys can make it work, I would start interviewing and then seeing what kind of deal new firms can make you.

For the 12 weeks FMLA, 6 weeks will be paid at 60% through STD and the other 6 will be a combination of paid time through PTO and completely unpaid time. I make about twice what MH makes so a completely unpaid leave is probably not a good idea. As it is, if he wants to be home with me at all after the baby is born, his time off is completely unpaid as well.

[zengal]

The leave would be my biggest consideration too. If paid leave is negotiable at a new job, then for sure go for it! Otherwise, make your current sucky employer pay you your earned benefits and then jet.
Good luck with your decision! It's a tough choice to make-

[f14mama]

Feb 2, 2016 12:56:05 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

Feb 2, 2016 12:38:39 GMT -5 f14mama said:

Is your FMLA paid? Or is the PTO and STD you would miss out on? Also, can you swing it financially to take an unpaid leave? 7 months is a long time to tough it out if you are miserable. I think you just have to weigh your options, if you can't swing an unpaid leave, you may just have to sit tight and start looking after you come back from maternity leave. If you guys can make it work, I would start interviewing and then seeing what kind of deal new firms can make you.

For the 12 weeks FMLA, 6 weeks will be paid at 60% through STD and the other 6 will be a combination of paid time through PTO and completely unpaid time. I make about twice what MH makes so a completely unpaid leave is probably not a good idea. As it is, if he wants to be home with me at all after the baby is born, his time off is completely unpaid as well.

Sounds like an unpaid leave would make things tight. I think you just have to weigh the stress of your job versus the stress of your lack of paycheck. I know you can take your banked vacation time when you leave, but it probably wouldn't be enough to get you by. I would budget out what a leave would look like unpaid, and if you just can't do it, I think you have your answer. Isn't maternity leave stress awful? I swear, employers are so ass backwards. 

[pismoduo]

Feb 2, 2016 13:12:07 GMT -5 zengal said:

The leave would be my biggest consideration too. If paid leave is negotiable at a new job, then for sure go for it! Otherwise, make your current sucky employer pay you your earned benefits and then jet.
Good luck with your decision!
It's a tough choice to make-

Not gonna lie, the idea of making them pay you out what you've earned before leaving is super appealing to me.

I might be a little bit of a vengeful person, though.

[hurricanerek]

I'm a big believer in doing something that you love! That being said, I think it would be wise to stay in your current position until you deliver, take you paid leave, and then look for something different.

I hope that whatever you end up doing, you can be at peace about it!

[bean]

I would check out the new job and see what their policy is for leave. If you can financially swing losing out on some paid leave it might be worth your happiness. It is really hard to go back to a job you hate after having a baby, I have done it!

I'm in a similar boat (hating my job, I have been there for 4 years). The only reason I am staying is because I don't want to lose my PTO and STD when I give birth. I plan to look for a new job on leave and go down to part time wherever I end up.

[bennikki]

I'd interview for the other positions, and see what they have to offer. They might have a baller STD/paid leave program that has a 6 month requirement or you could negotiate something like that. Even if they only offer something like 6 weeks at 60% pay, I'd take it, then when you leave your current job, put the accrued vacation/sick/PTO pay into a savings account for your maternity leave. If that doesn't work, then I'd stay at your employer, take the FMLA and PTO arrangement you already have, but don't come back from your leave. The main problem with that would be you'd be interviewing while on maternity leave.

[veronicacorningstone]

I'm in a similar situation, not too fond of my job at this point. But I've decided that my coworkers are so great and supportive that it'll be enough to get me through until after I take my maternity leave. It's just not worth losing the FMLA to me at this point. It's obviously up to you to decide what's best for you depending on how unhappy you are with your current position. Good luck with interviews if that's the route you choose!!

[merryrissmas]

Feb 2, 2016 13:12:07 GMT -5 zengal said:

The leave would be my biggest consideration too. If paid leave is negotiable at a new job, then for sure go for it! Otherwise, make your current sucky employer pay you your earned benefits and then jet.
Good luck with your decision! It's a tough choice to make-

This is where I'm at too. I'm sorry you're struggling in a crappy work situation, that is the worst I hope you can find a solution that works out wonderfully!

[catlady22]

I'm in a very similar situation. I have decided to stay with my current position until after my leave. It really is a hard decision though.

[catlady22]

Feb 2, 2016 16:13:18 GMT -5 bennikki said:

I'd interview for the other positions, and see what they have to offer. They might have a baller STD/paid leave program that has a 6 month requirement or you could negotiate something like that. Even if they only offer something like 6 weeks at 60% pay, I'd take it, then when you leave your current job, put the accrued vacation/sick/PTO pay into a savings account for your maternity leave. If that doesn't work, then I'd stay at your employer, take the FMLA and PTO arrangement you already have, but don't come back from your leave. The main problem with that would be you'd be interviewing while on maternity leave.

I have heard if you don't come back from leave and have any of it paid - then you have to pay the company back. I would check out policies on that before you just don't go back.

[pismoduo]

Feb 3, 2016 10:51:55 GMT -5 catlady22 said:

Feb 2, 2016 16:13:18 GMT -5 bennikki said:

I'd interview for the other positions, and see what they have to offer. They might have a baller STD/paid leave program that has a 6 month requirement or you could negotiate something like that. Even if they only offer something like 6 weeks at 60% pay, I'd take it, then when you leave your current job, put the accrued vacation/sick/PTO pay into a savings account for your maternity leave. If that doesn't work, then I'd stay at your employer, take the FMLA and PTO arrangement you already have, but don't come back from your leave. The main problem with that would be you'd be interviewing while on maternity leave.

I have heard if you don't come back from leave and have any of it paid - then you have to pay the company back. I would check out policies on that before you just don't go back.

Definitely something to check, because I think it varies from company to company. Ours requires that you use all your PTO before applying for STD, but if you choose not to come back after that runs out you don't have to pay anything back. But you can't use your STD unless you've been there for a certain length of time because the company pays for it all, not you.

[callmeKD]

Feb 3, 2016 13:32:11 GMT -5 pismoduo said:

Feb 3, 2016 10:51:55 GMT -5 catlady22 said:

I have heard if you don't come back from leave and have any of it paid - then you have to pay the company back. I would check out policies on that before you just don't go back.

Definitely something to check, because I think it varies from company to company. Ours requires that you use all your PTO before applying for STD, but if you choose not to come back after that runs out you don't have to pay anything back. But you can't use your STD unless you've been there for a certain length of time because the company pays for it all, not you.

BUT if you 100% pay for the STD, then you don't have to pay the company back. (with my employer, I pay it all.)

[LadyNymeria]

Feb 3, 2016 15:25:38 GMT -5 callmeKD said:

Feb 3, 2016 13:32:11 GMT -5 pismoduo said:

Definitely something to check, because I think it varies from company to company. Ours requires that you use all your PTO before applying for STD, but if you choose not to come back after that runs out you don't have to pay anything back. But you can't use your STD unless you've been there for a certain length of time because the company pays for it all, not you.

BUT if you 100% pay for the STD, then you don't have to pay the company back. (with my employer, I pay it all.)

They pay it for us so I'll have to look into the rules after returning. It also means it's taxable income...boo.

[PSUchica]

I think you should stick it out at your current employer, get the maternity benefits that you've earned, then start looking towards the end of your mat leave. I also didn't like my old job and was desperate to leave. I stayed on, went out for 4 months on them, then came back and got a call for a new job. I resigned 3 weeks after being back. I definitely felt like a jerk doing it, but it was best for my family. It also doesn't always happen that timing works out that way, and i'm not sure what the rules are about paying back maternity benefits if you're not back for a certain amount of time. All details you'd want to find out. But I would go with the option of having more security and knowing my mat leave is covered, then starting fresh after - mostly because it worked out that way for me