Maternity Leav

Updated on June 02, 2008
C.C. asks from Fredericksburg, VA
8 answers

I wanted to see if anyone could help me out on this one. I am currently 34 weeks pregnant with my 4th child. About a month ago my boss asked me to send her my plan for maternity leave. I had requested 12 weeks; she reminded me that we have less then 50 people so the family plan act does not come in to play. I then sent an email and she again said 12 weeks was fine. Yesterday she came to my office to tell me as a business decision they will only allow me 6 weeks. All of this time is unpaid which is fine. I am really upset about this and wanted to find out if anyone had some advice to share with me. I work in new home sales and the market is getting better by the day however it is still a lot slower than we would all like, one of the comments made to me was if the market was different this wouldn't be an issue. Any advice would be great either how to work the system to get my full 12 weeks or how to make the best use of 6. Thank you!!

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T.G.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi C.

I know this is late, but if you might instead be interested in working from home I would love to fill you in on the best kept secrect in home-based business. Contact me if you are! If you know of anyone that may be if you are not I can give you a $50.00 referal reward when they qualify as a fashion director.
T.
www.myparklane.com/tgreenwood

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J.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Your profile mentions that you love your job, but that it also takes a toll on you.

If you think you might be interested in a either a complete career change or even if you'd like to do something to supplement your current income, I might have something you'd be interested in.

My husband and I work from home as independent business owners, along with a team of business professionals, helping traditional businesses transition to the internet. By eliminating the middlemen and using the web to connect consumers directly to manufacturers, we share in the revenue.

This business offers great flexibility in that it caters to you and your lifestyle. Based on your commitment level, it has the potential to bring you home completely from your current job (more time with your growing family), or allow you to reduce your hours at your current job, or even just give you some financial breathing room.

If you think you'd be interested in getting so more information, let me know. We can arrange for me to take 10-12 minutes to put everything into perspective on paper with you and see if this is something that could work out for you and your family.

As a mother, I appreciate and applaud you for the sacrifices you make for your family.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.B.

answers from Charlotte on

I'm an HR professional, you may want to go to the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management ) website and research the bylaws for your state's FMLA (family medical leave act). Also check the company's fmla handbook and speak with an employee relations specialist at your Headquarters. They should be able to advise you if this information is correct. That office, may have fewer than 50 employees, however that is not the number that FMLA is based on. If there is another office or headquarters, the number of employees is based for the whole corporation. In addition to the fmla guidelines, a firm cannot force you to return to work if you are able to get a doctor's validation that you are medically incapable, be it, physically or mentally.

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J.G.

answers from Washington DC on

If I were you, I would fight this. Since you already have 3 kids, I'm sure you know that it takes some time to heal physically. You need those 1st 6 weeks just to re-coop and adjust and then you need some more time to bond (and sleep, as at 6 weeks the child likely will not be sleeping through the night).

I work in Washington DC and I know the laws are different in every state, but in DC the number of employees is 20 -- not 50. Make sure you check into your state laws b/c they supersede the federal laws. Also, you should at very least be paid short term disability (which is 6 weeks), after the short term disability, you should be able to take any accrued vacation time or sick leave.

Honestly, if your company will not budge on the issue, I would think about floating your resume around. I think it's terrible that they are trying to rush you back.

L.A.

answers from Washington DC on

As a company looking at the bottom line, she can do what she wants, especially when the laws don't apply (under 50 employees). Of course, she could've thought about it before agreeing to your plan the first time around, but that's a different issue.

As a small business owner myself, I'm afraid I'd have to agree with her final decision.

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S.O.

answers from Washington DC on

You have it in writing that they approved 12 weeks, yes? And it was only verbal that she backpedaled to 6 weeks? I'd try to hold them to the 12 weeks as promised.

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J.G.

answers from Washington DC on

My company really worked with me on my maternity leave. I was given the standard 6 weeks of maternity leave with 1/2 pay and then they agreed to allow me to work from home part time the other six weeks. I thought this wonderful because it came me more time with my new baby and then also allowed me to to slowly get myself back into the work routine.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi C.,
That's a tough one. Would she be willing to compromise on 8 weeks? Also, do you have any vacation time coming? Perhaps you could schedule some vacation leave after 6 or 8 weeks to stretch it out. I returned to work after 7-8 weeks with both of my kids, and found that I was ready mentally :-).

One thing that's popular at my office is coming back for half days or every other day for a few weeks. Also, what is your childcare situation? If you already have a plan, and they can't take your child until a specific date you could use that as a way.
Just some thoughts. Good luck and congrats!
M.

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