https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 23:18:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571750 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:41:59 +0000 LuLu Mom 1571750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571731 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:35:17 +0000 cmomma17 1571731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: I worried a little, but not much. I started my maternity leave almost exactly one year and one month after starting my job. It was fine. We were TTC while I was job searching and when I got the new job we took a few months break to make sure I would qualify for FMLA. The first cycle we started back up we got pregnant! We cut it pretty close, I was so afraid I'd deliver early! Due date was April 15, 1 year work anniversary was March 5.</p> <p>ETA: haha whoops. I should have realized this was an older thread too, since you already have a baby :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571724 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:32:57 +0000 LindsayInNY 1571724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: That's what I get for bumping an old thread! Just didn't want to start a new one altogether with certain stalkers in my life now... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571680 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:19:27 +0000 LBee 1571680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a unique situation - I started a new job 5 weeks pregnant. I made the choice to tell them I was pregnant (as opposed to not) and they ended up offering me 8 weeks paid maternity leave as part of my incentive package. I was not pursuing new employment at the time (I had interviewed with them a year prior, declined their initial offer, and they said they were still looking to fill the position I interviewed for and wanted to make another offer), which gave me a lot of leverage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571673 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:17:06 +0000 tinyperson 1571673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571670 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:16:14 +0000 snowjewelz 1571670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: Oh lol I didn't even look at the date! Wow, that's AWESOME!! :happy: :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571653 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:10:13 +0000 lawbee11 1571653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: This is an old thread...luckily everything worked out and they even let me take a 6-month maternity leave! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571648 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:08:19 +0000 snowjewelz 1571648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: I don't think you should worry... Def don't plan your life around it just b/c you're afraid they won't like it! I would have been at my job for 1.5 years when I take maternity leave at the end of this year. I would not have cared if I was giving birth even sooner! Tis life! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571421 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 01:26:38 +0000 Mrs tartan 1571421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5.5 years, I get 14 weeks full pay then 25 weeks half pay. So ill be taking 9 months off :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571414 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 01:05:20 +0000 indi 1571414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I clerked at the firm the summer of the bar, so I announced the pregnancy to the partners about one year after being in the office and went on my leave 3 months before I hit the 2 year mark. They've been very supportive and accommodating through appointments, my leave, and pumping now that I've returned, thankfully. It sounds like yours may be the same. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571373 Tue, 15 Apr 2014 23:44:36 +0000 Sapphiresun 1571373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nine and a half years. I started at my company right out of college, and have been there ever since. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-1571325 Tue, 15 Apr 2014 22:29:48 +0000 LindsayInNY 1571325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bumping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-397426 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:59:19 +0000 winniebee 397426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3.5 years when I started mat leave </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-397330 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:34:09 +0000 Mrs Checkers 397330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was here almost 3 years before I started my mat. leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-397238 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:57:51 +0000 ValentineMommy 397238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll be at my job just shy of 6 years when LO is born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-390950 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:41:17 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 390950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: lol ya. I guess I should have mentioned that part. I'm in Canada and a year for mat leave is the norm. The fact that my job pays me on top of it is a bonus of the place I work for. They pay me for the first 6 months I'm off anyway, but I still get government assistance the whole year, just not as much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-390757 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 16:25:39 +0000 JoJoGirl 390757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: Wow, a YEAR? Are you in Canada? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-390722 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 15:34:00 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 390722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>um, i went through a major stressful situation since my pregnancy was unplanned and i had been looking for a job for almost a year. i interviewed at this place a year ago, didn't get the job then, but they seemed to want me and said they would be posting another position in a few months......well they posted it in April - literally 2 weeks after i found out i was pregnant. I decided to apply again since there was still 7 months to go in my pregnancy (my due date was November 6). In May they contacted me for an interview, the interview ended up being near the end of June. I didn't tell them in the interview i was pregnant (4.5 months at that point). Mid-July they offered me the job and said my start date was mid-August!!! So I accepted the job, told them i was pregnant and managed to work exactly 13 weeks (had my last day yesterday). Since i worked 13 weeks, I qualify for a paid leave and i am taking the whole year i am entitled to!! I cringe thinking about it, but i really truly didn't plan things way and it is my dream job. Once i go back in a year, i fully intend to not get pregnant again for at least 2 years lol. I want to work there longer than i am on mat leave. That's just life though. I've struggled a lot with the whole situation and how much time i should take off etc etc. In the end, i finally realized the job WILL be there in a year, but this year off with my baby is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not to mention my boss pretty much told me she expected that i would take the full year even though i initially said i would only 4- 6 months. And it's easier for her to find a replacement for one year than 4 - 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-390644 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 13:37:37 +0000 MrsH 390644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Over 7 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave/page/2#post-390332 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:02:41 +0000 Pink Champagne 390332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was two days shy of my 1 year anniversary with my company when I gave birth. That said, I gave birth 3.5 weeks early, so I thought I would totally be in the clear for collecting short term disability on my LOA. My company actually had to talk to<br /> Our corporate office to make sure I would qualify for job protected leave (they ended up using my PTO to cover the two days so it was as if I was still "working" until my one year).<br /> Just make sure you know your company's leave policy!<br /> My company is super thrilled that I'm even coming back to work, so I would say it all worked out in my favor :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-390301 Sat, 10 Nov 2012 05:56:45 +0000 mrsjyw 390301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just shy of three yrs when I announced pregnancy. Just past 3.5 when I take my leave this month.</p> <p>I dont think u have anything to worry about! My work has been really supportive</p> <p>I think my new concern is when I go back. Or if I switch depts. They're gong to wonder about baby #2 and timing... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-387795 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:37:43 +0000 prettylizy 387795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2.5 years before my mat leave started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-387784 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:36:00 +0000 Springtime 387784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JustlikeHeaven: omg how awkward! You should've just spit out then "oh actually I am" lol. That's a tough situation =/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-386704 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:57:10 +0000 DpeachLu 386704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsaudi: I really do not know. I guess right around the 12th week. Last time I told them very early on because I was feeling so sick.<br /> It doesnt help that two of the bosses have pregnant wives. One that was here today for me to congratulate and she goes "Im so not ready. Can you imagine having to go through all this again?" </p> <p>ummmm. awkward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-386701 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:54:01 +0000 Springtime 386701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JustlikeHeaven: I remember your post when you got a BFP and how you are dreading it! When do you plan on letting them know? </p> <p>I worked at my job for 4 years before taking maternity leave! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-386653 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:28:07 +0000 DpeachLu 386653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4.5 years &amp; I am now dreading letting them know I will be taking maternity leave again next year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-386640 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:24:29 +0000 jedeve 386640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Three months or so. I told them I was pregnant in the hiring conversation. They hired me at 5 months pregnant, and I started around 6. It's unpaid leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-386620 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:18:57 +0000 lawbee11 386620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: sounds like you made the right decision! We weren't going to start trying until March, but like you I don't really want to put it on hold any longer just in case it takes awhile. So, we are planning to start trying next month...I am so excited! I wish I had been here a little longer, but even if we're successful on cycle 1, I will have been here over a year by the time I take maternity leave so I'll qualify for FMLA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-386606 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:14:14 +0000 Rescuemom10 386606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well when we got our BFP I would have worked for them for over 2.5 yrs. I am PG right now, found out like 2 mos ago not even that my Company lost the contract for the job I am doing for the Military. So IF I get hired on with the new company, I will have been working with them for 2 mos if that. Depends on when our LO is born of course. Not ideal at all. Not going to get the "Full" maternity ben either. Still waiting to hear if I am still going to have a job after Dec 1st. Ugh! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-work-for-your-employer-before-taking-maternity-leave#post-386595 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:11:13 +0000 JoJoGirl 386595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: This was exactly me! I left a job I'd been at for 7 years that would've provided 6 months of maternity leave, 4 of which were paid (since I'd accrued that much sick time during my 7 years there) right around when we were starting to TTC. I knew it would make me crazy giving up that benefit, but not knowing how long it would take to get pregnant and given how long I'd been WANTING to leave that job felt like I had no choice.</p> <p>So I started a new job in Feb 2012. We started TTC in March! I knew it was a bit of a risk because I wouldn't be eligible for FMLA for a year, but frankly, I'm 34 and not putting this on hold for any reason. It ended up taking us 6 months to get pregnant, so when I have the baby in May 2013, I'll have been here for 1 year 4 months. It's not ideal, but my employer knows I just got married and knows my age, so I doubt she'll be super surprised. I have to tell in the next couple of weeks, eeeek. Also signing up for a higher buy-in to short-term disability was a fabulous side effect! </p>