time off after having the baby

gina&ken Posted: Jan 13, 2005 03:22 PM

time off after having the baby

i'm not ttc yet, but FH and i have been talking about what we're going to do when the time comes...i'm not clear on how time off works - is FMLA in addition to maternity leave? do you get paid for either? what if you have to stop working before you give birth - is that short term disability?

thanks in advance.

kptoys Posted: Jan 13, 2005 03:35 PM

Re: time off after having the baby

FMLA is in addition to your maternity leave. Im pretty sure its up to 12 weeks. You get disability or paid from your co (depending on the co's policy) for maternity leave but not for FMLA. Im not sure about not working before baby is born but it would make sense that that would be short term disability.

gina&ken Posted: Jan 13, 2005 03:38 PM

Re: time off after having the baby

thanks!

steph4777 Posted: Jan 13, 2005 04:09 PM

Re: time off after having the baby

I was told that FMLA runs concurrently with maternity leave. So if you get 6 weeks of Short-term disability, then you can take an additional 6 weeks unpaid through FMLA. Therefore 6 weeks of STD counts as part of the 12 weeks you get for FMLA.

I work for a small company and I don't think my HR person really knows what she's doing. Can you ask a co-worker how it works at your company? Or check your company handbook?

goingtobemrs Posted: Jan 13, 2005 04:36 PM

Re: time off after having the baby

It all depends on the company. Small companies, such as mine, don't fall under the FMLA, so we don't even have to guarantee your position and they also don't offer any paid time off. We only allow you to take off 6 weeks (you don't get paid those 6 weeks).

lele4me Posted: Jan 13, 2005 06:54 PM

Re: time off after having the baby

I am in HR so hopefully I can help. A company can choose to have FMLA run concurrrently with any time you may take..that can be STD or sick leave, maternity leave, even vacation. That is fairly standard at most companies. Not all companies are required to comply with Family Medical leave Act (which is unpaid- all it does is essestially keep an equivelent position for you for 12 weeks) You do need to be eligible for FMLA. FMLA can be taken intermitently. If you had any absences that qualified under FMLA before the birth, that may be deducted from the 12 weeks as well. I would reccomend you talk to you HR person and get a copy of the company policy so you are clear how your company works.

Note if you live in a state that gives more time like CT. who gives 16 weeks that would essentially overrule the Federal entitlement.