https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 21:00:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113939 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:16:38 +0000 banana 113939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In CA, you get Paid Maternity Leave for 12 weeks at 55% pay. I'm definitely planning on taking them up on this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113935 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:13:54 +0000 heffalump 113935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabolt: Yeah he had PTO so he didn't have to worry about not getting paid, but the FMLA made sure that his job was safe. And I know the dates were very important because he wasn't allowed to go back to work until the doctor signed off on it. He's doing pretty good now, thanks for asking! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113816 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:28:12 +0000 Adira 113816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with what others say - it's different for every employer.</p> <p>For mine, I get 12 weeks FMLA, but I have to use my PTO (which includes vacation and sick time) to cover it, and once I run out of PTO, then I go unpaid for the remainder of the FMLA. You don't have the option to just do 12 weeks unpaid FMLA and still retain your PTO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113787 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:36:44 +0000 amy 113787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In CT you are actually given 16 weeks FMLA, and at my company we only had to use any PTO accrued more then 2 weeks during the 16 weeks. So essentially the most time off you can have was 18 weeks but they do make exceptions, if your boss approves a longer leave and okays it prior to you taking your leave then it was guaranteed. So with my first I had to use 5 sick days to cover the first week, short-term disability covered the next 12 weeks (vaginal birth but had ppd) and then I took the rest of the time un-paid. When I went back to work I still had 2 weeks vacation and 5 sick days which was nice because you never know when the baby might get sick and you need to take time off. When I moved to WA I basically extended my maternity leave for my second to 5 months so I could move, most of it was un paid but I needed the time to settle in and adjust. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113716 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:57:13 +0000 yoursilverlining 113716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Yes, I’m so glad to have 6 weeks @ 100% pay through STD!! Thanks for the tip – I’ve got to call MetLife to fill out the paperwork in advance and let them know my due date. That is supposed to make the process smoother and kick in right away…but we’ll see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113710 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:53:39 +0000 mrsjazz 113710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Isn't all of this confusing?</p> <p>My company does FMLA and PTO concurrently. So, we get 12 weeks off whether that's paid or unpaid. Luckily, my entire 12 weeks will be paid at 100% because I'm splitting it with 7 weeks of sick days and 5 weeks of vacation time. (We are lucky here, I have 60 sick days and 30 vacation days).</p> <p>But if you were an employee who didn't have those days and wanted to take the full 12 weeks you'd have to do it unpaid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113702 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:49:05 +0000 mediagirl 113702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: it's tough with small companies, you never know what you're going to get. I actually just picked up a copy of the company handbook again and found it answered my question for me. ::sheepish grin:: You have to take them consecutively.</p> <p>I actually have some short term disability that I'll be taking, as well. 6 weeks for vaginal birth/8 for c-section. But, like you said above, the first two weeks are unpaid. The other 4 or 6 are paid at 80%. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113694 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:41:08 +0000 regberadaisy 113694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl:<br /> You are already WAY better off than me! I get six weeks and only 5 of it at 50% pay under Short Term Disability. We're just a few employees away from 50 so no FMLA for us.</p> <p>@yoursilverlining:<br /> Wow. 100% that's amazing. Lucky!<br /> You might want to clarify the 6 weeks. in NY state that first week is a waiting period that is UNpaid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113691 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:38:02 +0000 yoursilverlining 113691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, we can’t take one, then the other – must use concurrently. So, for example, I’m taking the 12 weeks under FMLA which protects my job. 6 weeks I will be paid at 100% of my pay through short term disability, then I have 4 weeks of accrued PTO – leaving me 2 weeks under FMLA of unpaid leave.</p> <p>If your company isn’t really legally required to provide FMLA due to its size – I would really try to get something in writing from them/HR regarding your time off. But I’m a stickler for having everything in writing!! (Which is part of my job!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113676 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:24:31 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 113676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Yeah, I was so bummed when I found out. I just assumed you could take one, then the other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113675 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:23:33 +0000 mediagirl 113675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabolt: No worries. I have already talked to work about taking 3 months off in accordance with FMLA and they are okay with that. I was just wondering if I could get more time with my PTO but it doesn't sound like it. :)</p> <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: Yes. "Sucks, I know." &lt;--that </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113672 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:22:31 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 113672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this varies by state and employer, but in most cases, employers can and will require you to use FMLA concurrently with paid leave. Sucks, I know. That's how it is here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113621 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:40:25 +0000 mamabolt 113621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I forgot that part - it can also be used when you are recovering from sickness/injury yourself. But I think the same thing would apply there - the FMLA wasn't what was paying him, although his company might have required he provide proof he needed to take the leave so maybe that's where the dr. note came in? Hope your DH is doing well now!</p> <p>@mediagirl: I think the take-away point is that so much of this is dictated by the individual employer (I had no idea of all the details until I talked to my HR dept.) that you really do need to talk to your HR as soon as possible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113618 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:34:42 +0000 heffalump 113618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabolt: I'm a SAHM so I didn't have to do that with my LO. I'm just thinking of when my husband had to take FMLA with surgery. They gave him a specific day to leave work and come back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113606 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:28:54 +0000 mamabolt 113606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I don't think that's right - FMLA is not related to your medical condition at all. It's federally mandated 12 weeks of unpaid leave during which your job is protected to bond with a child after birth or adoption (or to care for a sick family member). So for example, if you adopted, you wouldn't have any medical reason to take off, since you are not recovering from birth, but provided you are eligible for FMLA otherwise (at the job 1 year, more than 50 employees) you could still take that time off and have your job protected. Are you thinking of short term disability leave? That is much more regulated by your doctor, and if you have it pays some or all of your salary while you are recovering from birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113604 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:28:01 +0000 LuLu Mom 113604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In Nebraska and in my company, I have to take my PTO during my 12 week FMLA. I have 4 weeks of PTO off saved up, so that will be paid, the other 8 weeks will not be. My job will however be secure.</p> <p>I'm not allowed to take the 4 weeks PTO and then the 12 weeks FMLA on top of that, my HR department says its against FMLA rules. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113602 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:25:12 +0000 heffalump 113602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I'm not an HR person but I feel like you can't do that. You only get FMLA for a certain amount of time, and it's whatever your doctor tells them. They'll give you a note that says the day you stop working and the day you can go back to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113599 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:23:30 +0000 regberadaisy 113599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl:<br /> Since you only have 15 employees then I think you REALLY need to ask your employer how they plan to handle it. Because legally they are under NO obligation to keep your job safe for you for up to 12 weeks. FMLA only applies to companies with more than 50 employees within a certain radius.</p> <p>@mamabolt:<br /> "reimburse for my benefits during that time. "<br /> Ditto, I think that's a point a lot of ppl don't know. When you're on FMLA you technically get no benefits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113598 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:23:08 +0000 mamabolt 113598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: If we don't have enough PTO then we can start taking unpaid leave once we run out of PTO. For instance, I have enough sick/vacation time to cover 7-9 weeks of my leave, depending on whether I deliver before or after July 1. So at the point where I run out of PTO, I can still take the remaining time up to 12 weeks off work, but I won't get paid and will have to reimburse for my benefits during that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113597 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:22:54 +0000 mediagirl 113597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: if you don't have any PTO left, you just wont' get paid for any more time you take off. </p> <p>For example - if I take my PTO during my FMLA leave, I will have 2 1/2 months of paid time off. The other 1/2 month, I have to make sure we can manage w/o being paid for. We've been saving money so we can make this happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113593 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:20:32 +0000 mediagirl 113593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: North Carolina and no, we have like 15 employees but FMLA is in our company handbook. </p> <p>PTO is paid time off at my company. FMLA is not paid. I was trying to see if you could take your PTO first and then take your FMLA time off that the government states you are allowed to have.</p> <p>That would make the time you're off work longer than just 3 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113592 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:20:12 +0000 heffalump 113592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabolt: But what if you don't have any PTO left? Does that mean you're screwed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113591 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:19:55 +0000 Mrsbells 113591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Paid time off is totally separate from FMLA. Thats why you can first take 2weeks PTO and them start your FMLA right after. PTO is something you have earned from the company and FMLA is governtment subsized and enforced so they are completely separate.<br /> But if your company doesnt meet the size requirements they arent obligated to provide FMLA and can choose to do it or not, and thus choose how they want to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113588 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:18:58 +0000 mamabolt 113588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I believe this is a decision made by individual employers. I know mine requires we use accrued PTO during our FMLA time.</p> <p>Regardless of whether you have enough PTO or not to cover the full 12 weeks, if you meet the other conditions they are required to hold the same or an equivalent job for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113585 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:16:14 +0000 heffalump 113585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure I understand your question. My husband has had to take FMLA. He had enough PTO, but if he didn't and had to go unpaid, he was still on FMLA so he couldn't get fired and his job would have been safe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113583 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:16:00 +0000 regberadaisy 113583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What state are you in because that might change the short term disability rules as well which may or may not play into the FMLA rules.</p> <p>Do you guys have more than 50 employees? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmlapaid-time-off-question-any-hr-reps-out-there#post-113573 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:11:13 +0000 mediagirl 113573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last week I was talking to a friend who said that she was able to use up all of her vacation time and then start taking FMLA time off. I have been researching this and wonder if that is by law you can do that or if that is just her company.</p> <p>From what I've been reading, it appears you have to take your PTO/Vacation time while you're on FMLA. After that, the company doesn't have to keep your job. </p> <p>I think it would make sense that you should be able to take your PTO/Vacation first and then do FMLA. If you're on PTO, you're essentially still working for the company. If you're on FMLA, you're off completely w/o being paid by the company.</p> <p>I don't have an HR department at my work. The person who does "HR" related things is married to my boss so I would prefer not to ask her (knowing she wouldn't know anyways). </p>