I hate how difficult it is to plan for my maternity leave. I’m 36.5 weeks, and I am already SO miserable and so tired, I really wish I could stop working now. I seriously am getting up like every hour to pee at night, which means I’m sleeping terribly and I’m exhausted. My whole body is swollen and hurts and it is getting harder and harder to drag myself to work.
I’m due 5/16 and my plan is to have my last day of work be 5/8 and then take a week of PTO to get me to my due date. Of course, I could go past my due date (I hope not, but of course it is possible). I put in my leave paperwork and they just emailed me and want to know if I don’t have the baby by my due date, will I be coming back to work? Or do I have enough PTO to cover until the baby arrives.
Yeah, seriously, I am totally planning to GO BACK TO WORK at 40-41 weeks pregnant!?!
This totally sucks. Apparently my FMLA coverage starts when I stop working but STD/paid leave doesn’t start until the actual due date. I have no idea how to plan this. I know it sounds stupid, but I’m really hoping baby comes around 39 weeks so that I can get my maximum leave. But I’m also *really* looking forward to having a few days off of work before she comes. But of course you can’t plan any of this and she could come anytime between now and 42 weeks.
Post by spankswife on Apr 22, 2015 10:12:40 GMT -5
I had a similar issue. My leave started the day I stopped working, so I wanted to save my days for when the baby was here, both times.
I kept working, abd in week 38 they scheduled an induction for week 39, so at least I knew my timing. Second baby was a planned csection, so I knew then too.
Honestly I figured I'd be miserable home too so I just went to work. Everything was pretty done, I just sat there, checked emails, went for walks, basically just looked busy. I was glad to have the time after
Post by emoflamingo on Apr 22, 2015 10:33:04 GMT -5
I feel you. I'm done done done and I am ready to leave and have this baby. There was a miscommunication on my accrual of leave time (I thought that I got a set amount of sick leave at the beginning of every year, which is what happens to my H at his company, but that's not how it works at my organization) so I have 3 weeks of paid leave and 3 weeks of unpaid leave to look forward to. My ED feels bad but really, I had 6 weeks of unpaid leave last time (because I didn't get vacation time at my last job, just one of the reasons I left) so I'm used to it. I just don't want to waste any of the paid time sitting at home, even though I feel like I have 1,001 things I could do there and there's not much for me to do here at work.
Post by liverandonions on Apr 22, 2015 10:41:10 GMT -5
It's so weird how every state and employer is so different. We have to use 5days of PTO before our STD kicks in. And, as long as our doctor's write us out we can go out up to 4 weeks before with no effect to our actual 12 weeks after (6 from job and 6 from the state for bonding).
I put in my leave paperwork and they just emailed me and want to know if I don’t have the baby by my due date, will I be coming back to work? Or do I have enough PTO to cover until the baby arrives.
Yeah, seriously, I am totally planning to GO BACK TO WORK at 40-41 weeks pregnant!?!
*snort* That is priceless. I hope you can figure it out, and I'm sorry they're being asshats. Will you be ok if you have to take some of it unpaid?
I put in my leave paperwork and they just emailed me and want to know if I don’t have the baby by my due date, will I be coming back to work? Or do I have enough PTO to cover until the baby arrives.
Yeah, seriously, I am totally planning to GO BACK TO WORK at 40-41 weeks pregnant!?!
*snort* That is priceless. I hope you can figure it out, and I'm sorry they're being asshats. Will you be ok if you have to take some of it unpaid?
I would absolutely be fine with taking the time unpaid. But, I want the full 12 weeks after baby comes. I wish they'd let me take 1-2 weeks unpaid before and then start the FMLA once I have the baby. But of course it doesn't work that way.
Post by starburst604 on Apr 22, 2015 11:29:06 GMT -5
Ughhhhh it sucks. I still have so much to do work wise before I go. I just made the decision today that I am not working after my due date, even though I'd planned to work until delivery. 5/17 is a Sunday so I'm calling that Friday my last day if I haven't already delivered. I still feel ok physically but right now I have ZERO PATIENCE. If this woman in my office complains one more time that the cleaning closet smells like ammonia when you walk by, I'm going to lose my shit big time. I'm also DONE with patients and their bitching about dumb shit. Oh you have to fill out paperwork because you're a new patient? When is that NOT a standard thing? Shut up and fill it out!
Anyway, I hope you get it figured out. I'm so mentally done here.
OMG I emailed benefits and I am even MORE annoyed!!!! First, they can't explain the STD waiting period to me. They said one thing, that contradicts what the leave company said, but is still not clear. And, the WOMAN in benefits also reiterated asking me if I will be returning to work after my due date if I run out of PTO! Seriously, people?
I just wrote back and asked if I can take it unpaid. If not, I might have to adjust my last day of work.
Oh yeah and I CC-ed my boss (also a woman) who basically said the same thing.
SCREW ALL YOU PEOPLE. I FREAKING HATE YOU AND I JUST WANT TO GO HOME AND TAKE A NAP.
Post by polarbearfans on Apr 22, 2015 12:19:58 GMT -5
Ugh, i am not looking forward to setting up my leave. Who are there crazy people thinking you will come back 40/41 weeks pregnant?! Why would they even want you back and be a risk of having be rushed out with no notice?!
I want to work to the end, but my job is somewhat physical and even cutting back I am uncomfortable at 27 weeks lol
OMG I emailed benefits and I am even MORE annoyed!!!! First, they can't explain the STD waiting period to me. They said one thing, that contradicts what the leave company said, but is still not clear. And, the WOMAN in benefits also reiterated asking me if I will be returning to work after my due date if I run out of PTO! Seriously, people?
I just wrote back and asked if I can take it unpaid. If not, I might have to adjust my last day of work.
Oh yeah and I CC-ed my boss (also a woman) who basically said the same thing.
SCREW ALL YOU PEOPLE. I FREAKING HATE YOU AND I JUST WANT TO GO HOME AND TAKE A NAP.
If you qualify for FMLA, you can take more time than PTO I think. I mean, I qualify for FMLA and I have no STD or PTO past the 3 weeks but I'm obviously not coming back early.
I find that women are the worst when it comes to pregnancy questions. I have a lady at work who has made a few comments on my size and weight and yesterday, she "joked" that I couldn't join her and another coworker on the elevator because I would "put them over the weight limit." I am 90% sure I weigh less than them. She wouldn't dream of saying that to someone who is just overweight, why say it to me?
I turned this into a vent of my own but really, she is most of the reason why I am done being pregnant and want to go on leave now.
LOL forever at are you returning to work if you don't deliver by your due date! She has obviously never been pregnant or known any pregnant women, ever. Good grief.
I am not looking forward to coordinating my leave. So many rules and restrictions!
Post by hainesherway on Apr 22, 2015 13:16:53 GMT -5
I have to pre-register with an outside company for my maternity leave. I was worried that I would have the baby before I had a chance to do it when I had the bleeding scare last week. I got it done yesterday, so that's a relief. HR had me put in my due date as 37 weeks (which is likely the latest they'll let me go).
The benefits office is next to my pod, I can see them as we speak. Want me to go in there and be like WTF are you thinking?!
Also is it possible to WFH for the week pre-due date? That is what I plan on doing.
Yeah, I have a meeting with my boss soon and I might ask her about that. I hope she's okay with it, I have no idea. My team is so inflexible it is a joke.
Apparently the woman who handles the maternity leave stuff works remotely out of RI. I asked if I could schedule a meeting with her and she said we could talk by phone.
Also, you might appreciate this. I was eating lunch in the quad today, sitting on a bench off to the side and some idiots playing frisbee hit me with a frisbee. No warning or anything. ONe of the guys walked right by me to go get his stupid frisbee and DIDN'T SAY A WORD or apologize or anything. Sometimes I really hate this place.
It's so weird how every state and employer is so different. We have to use 5days of PTO before our STD kicks in. And, as long as our doctor's write us out we can go out up to 4 weeks before with no effect to our actual 12 weeks after (6 from job and 6 from the state for bonding).
Just don't go on vacation
Hell, after having one, I can assure you I'll bond better after a vacation alone. LOL
*snort* That is priceless. I hope you can figure it out, and I'm sorry they're being asshats. Will you be ok if you have to take some of it unpaid?
I would absolutely be fine with taking the time unpaid. But, I want the full 12 weeks after baby comes. I wish they'd let me take 1-2 weeks unpaid before and then start the FMLA once I have the baby. But of course it doesn't work that way.
This is exactly why I'm planning on working until I have this kid, even past my due date. The clock starts ticking as soon as I stop working, even if I'm on bed rest.
I still haven't talked to my boss or HR about it, but it's already giving me a headache. I want to spend as much time as possible with the baby after she arrives. Also, I'd like to extend my leave beyond the 12 weeks allowed by FMLA, I'm doing some research about how to successfully negotiate this.
I'm not originally from the US, so I'm used to 6 months paid maternity leave. 12 weeks unpaid is insane in my mind. All my friends back home are sad for me, lol!
I still haven't talked to my boss or HR about it, but it's already giving me a headache. I want to spend as much time as possible with the baby after she arrives. Also, I'd like to extend my leave beyond the 12 weeks allowed by FMLA, I'm doing some research about how to successfully negotiate this.
I'm not originally from the US, so I'm used to 6 months paid maternity leave. 12 weeks unpaid is insane in my mind. All my friends back home are sad for me, lol!
I put in my official request to my manager today for this. I had asked HR and they said anything over the 12 weeks if by managers approval. I wanted a paper trail so I wrote up the exact specifics of my request and sent it over. She is reviewing it but said it likely shouldn't be an issue since it won't be a busy time for us.
I still haven't talked to my boss or HR about it, but it's already giving me a headache. I want to spend as much time as possible with the baby after she arrives. Also, I'd like to extend my leave beyond the 12 weeks allowed by FMLA, I'm doing some research about how to successfully negotiate this.
I'm not originally from the US, so I'm used to 6 months paid maternity leave. 12 weeks unpaid is insane in my mind. All my friends back home are sad for me, lol!
I put in my official request to my manager today for this. I had asked HR and they said anything over the 12 weeks if by managers approval. I wanted a paper trail so I wrote up the exact specifics of my request and sent it over. She is reviewing it but said it likely shouldn't be an issue since it won't be a busy time for us.
I would LOVE to have 6 months leave:(
That's great! What reason did you use to extend the leave? (if you don't mind sharing). That's what I'm struggling with. My real reason is I want more time to bond with baby, but my boss is a "by the rules" guy, so I think it will be hard to convince him. We'll see. I have to talk to him soon.
I put in my official request to my manager today for this. I had asked HR and they said anything over the 12 weeks if by managers approval. I wanted a paper trail so I wrote up the exact specifics of my request and sent it over. She is reviewing it but said it likely shouldn't be an issue since it won't be a busy time for us.
I would LOVE to have 6 months leave:(
That's great! What reason did you use to extend the leave? (if you don't mind sharing). That's what I'm struggling with. My real reason is I want more time to bond with baby, but my boss is a "by the rules" guy, so I think it will be hard to convince him. We'll see. I have to talk to him soon.
I didn't really give a reason. I just requested it. I would be coming back early December otherwise and its a very slow time in my role so I simply requested I be able to take additional time, unpaid, and return Monday January 4th after the holiday.
I am hoping to get it "officially" approved soon. I will let you know how it goes.
That's great! What reason did you use to extend the leave? (if you don't mind sharing). That's what I'm struggling with. My real reason is I want more time to bond with baby, but my boss is a "by the rules" guy, so I think it will be hard to convince him. We'll see. I have to talk to him soon.
I didn't really give a reason. I just requested it. I would be coming back early December otherwise and its a very slow time in my role so I simply requested I be able to take additional time, unpaid, and return Monday January 4th after the holiday.
I am hoping to get it "officially" approved soon. I will let you know how it goes.