Maternity Leave Vent

[speyedr]

I went to talk to HR yesterday to get my FMLA paperwork started. I know FMLA requires at least a year of employment, which I have, and also an hours worked requirement. I guess I was under the impression that the hours worked were just lifetime and not within the last year. I worked 580ish hours all of 2013 which is 700 or so hours short of qualifying for FMLA. So, now I don't know what to do. The hospital I work at has a medical leave policy which offers 4 weeks of leave pending supervisor approval but I was really planning on taking the full 12 and only coming back to work twice a month after that. I don't want to quit my job completely because as a nurse it is important to maintain skills and keep my license current but if 4 weeks is all I am going to get, that may be my only option. I guess I am just venting here, I am just frustrated and disappointed. I wish the US would get their act together and provide proper maternity coverage for mothers. 

[ringstrue]

Ugh that sucks!!! Are you part-time now?

FMLA is just job protection, its not paid time off. So, if you were planning on working only 2x a month after the baby comes then maybe you could just not be on the schedule those last 2-4 weeks to get yourself to the 6 or 8 weeks the doc will disable you for.

[VillainV]

Have you asked your boss if it's possible to take more than 4 weeks' leave? They might be okay with it.

[Yankees21]

Feb 18, 2014 14:10:10 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Have you asked your boss if it's possible to take more than 4 weeks' leave? They might be okay with it.

Ditto this- especially in a hospital setting I would imagine they are used to people taking more time off and might allow it, even if you don't technically qualify for FMLA. I don't qualify, since I work at a small company, but am taking between 12-15 weeks, depending on when my son is born.

[speyedr]

I am what is called in healthcare a PRN (as needed) employee. I am not benefit eligible and am only required to work twice a month to keep my job. I am waiting to hear back to see how much I will be allowed to take off, HR sent an email to my director yesterday to see what she feels comfortable with. I wasn't expecting to have any paid leave, but I was expecting to have 12 weeks of guaranteed leave which may not happen now. It's just really frustrating that it is basically up to my director now how much leave I will be allowed to take.