Job question kinda long

So happy to be posting on the newlywed forum.. I was kind of sad after the wedding, although I don't really miss the planning

I recently just started a new job (I am a guidance counslor) and I love it!!

DH and I already have a son that is 2 1/2 but we would like to have another baby. Do you think it would be bad to inquire about maternity leave since I just got hired. We are planning on waiting a year anyway but I would just like to know the details of maternity leave.

The reason I am concerned is because it is an alternative high school and the kids have emotional issues so there is always a risk of having an altercation, so I would be concerned about the safety during the pregnancy.

Welcome!!! And I agree with pp 100%, -- do your own research before inquiring! I'm sure they gave you a benefits binder, the information is definitely included there - in all likelihood its anything from 6 weeks (boo!) if all you get is FMLA leave, to 12 weeks (if they let you do FMLA + Short Term Disability).

You don't want to tip your hand this early on, especially if you're going to wait anyway, a year from now you may not even love the job.. And they could be very subtle about passing over you for promotions/raises/opportunities if they think you're on the mommy track already; it's illegal but it DOES happen, and I'd play it close to the vest right now.

agree. be very careful in the way you look for the info, especially early on. But, if your district has an HR department, you might be able to find out about your other benefits at the same time.

By law, you are eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave. But your employer may allow you to take paid FMLA to a point.

GL!

I looked through all the paperwork and it doesn't mention anything about maturnity leave. I am actually in orientation all this week and the payroll and insurance woman came in but no info on maturnity.
I don't want to ask but I want to know

Then ask in a GENERAL way for detailed info on ALL of your benefits, don't specify maternity.
That would be the way to go, especially since you already have a child, and now that you're married, you want to work out the best coverage for you, DH, and your little one...

are you in public school district? if you are, MINIMUM time they MUST give you is the 12 weeks FMLA time.

most districts also allow you to tack on accrued sick days to that time.

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Posted by janeane0808

Unfortunately it is a private school job, non-union (As the field is very competitive I am happy to have what I have). I am hoping to use this as a stepping stone to a public school job

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even if it is a private school, legally they must give you the 12 weeks. it is the Family Medical Leave Act and as far as I understand it, it is FEDERAL law that they must give you the time off. Granted for most people, it is unpaid, but you are still given the time.

I could be wrong but I know the FMLA paperwork I got is for 6 weeks...UNPAID :(
I'm using short term disability for another 6 weeks (paid at 60% of salary) - but not all employers have to offer that,
then vacation/sick/personal for another 3-4 weeks...

The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, entitles an eligible individual to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a medical or immediate family care leave. Eligibility is determined by how long you have worked in a company/organization. You must be employed by the organization for at least 12 months or for 1,250 hours during a twelve month period.

Organizations that must abide by the FMLA of 1993 are those that employ 50 or more individuals.

Employers may choose to pay for a portion of your FMLA (i.e., 8 weeks paid FMLA, 4 unpaid), or they will allow you to use other kinds of leave (i.e., sick, vacation, personal, disability). But they are not required to give you paid FMLA leave time. However, if you meet the criteria for coverage under the Law, they MUST give you back your job, or an equivalent job with equivalent pay and benefits when you come back. If you decide after your leave (or during) that you do not want to come back after your leave time, you will forfeit the FMLA leave category and you may 'owe' them time or salary (if they offer paid FMLA).

So, bottom line, if you want any kind of maternity leave, paid or unpaid, and be guaranteed to have your job to come back to after the leave, you have to have worked with them for at least a year (or the 1250 hrs if you are hourly).

edited to make something a bit more clear.