https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:49:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2763578 Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:20:22 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2763578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's definitely legal. FMLA is only protecting your job as you take time to care for a family member. It does not guarantee paying for your active medical coverage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2763487 Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:58:49 +0000 alphagam84 2763487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's legal and normal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2763137 Sun, 30 Jul 2017 08:54:57 +0000 gingerbebe 2763137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also $700 seems like a low figure to me! Part of it could be how it's billed also - insurance premiums usually go a month ahead. For instance, the first month of my leave that I went unpaid, we still had health coverage for another month because we pay a month in advance. So your DHs employer could be set to have paid for his coverage for the month after he comes back too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2763131 Sun, 30 Jul 2017 08:24:35 +0000 catomd00 2763131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, legal and not uncommon at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2763051 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 18:20:43 +0000 wrkbrk 2763051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: Yes, it's legal. Most large law firms work this way in fact. A friend took unpaid leave after her paid leave (so FMLA) and owed the firm for her insurance during that month, which the firm normally pays for all employees. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2763035 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 16:02:29 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2763035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, it is not uncommon. My company handbook stated this rule also, except it didn't state a specific time. So, during my leave, I started my search, returned back to work, received an offer, gave notice. Searching and interviewing takes a lot of time, and offers usually don't come in right away. Its not a bad idea to start searching and interviewing while on leave, and then get an offer when he returns, and then accept the offer after whatever time period he is supposed to stay with the company for. If he's close to getting an offer sooner than he wants, he just needs to drag out the process. Do you know how long he has to stay with his company after returning from leave? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762962 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 09:31:04 +0000 youboots 2762962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Woah, exciting! Just tell him to ask for a signing bonus :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762952 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 08:34:25 +0000 Smurfette 2762952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just started a new job and the handbook states if you quit within 6 months of maternity leave you have to repay your salary. Luckily the job I left didn't have this since I quit 3 months after coming back from leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762913 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 21:52:15 +0000 Foodnerd81 2762913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've heard of this on HB so it seems common enough, but I definitely didn't (I double checked with Hr) and no one I know has mentioned it. So it happens but I wouldn't say it's expected. But legal, yes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762878 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 19:49:44 +0000 erinbaderin 2762878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Again, different because Canadian, but my job is the same - I have to work for the same amount of time I took leave for (a year) or reimburse my job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762875 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 19:48:33 +0000 MaryM 2762875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think we have to pay anything back if we leave, but if we run out of leave on FMLA, we have to pay for our insurance </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762847 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 18:51:38 +0000 Jennibenni 2762847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, the benefit isn't free, it's paid for by the company. So if they are paying the premiums while he's out and then he doesn't return, it's perfectly normal for them to expect reimbursement for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762841 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 18:38:18 +0000 Ajsmommy 2762841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our company also makes you pay something back if you leave after taking fmla. You have to stay a certain amount of time before leaving so that you don't owe anything </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762839 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 18:35:56 +0000 Mae 2762839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Again, I don't know for sure, but this rings as legit to me. Benefits may be free to you but they are not free to the company, so the fact that they are carrying them when he is unpaid is actually a benefit. I think at my job if I take unpaid time I have to pay for my own benefits! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762823 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:52:30 +0000 matador84 2762823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same as previous posts, if I left while on or before FMLA, I would have to pay back my employer for expenses they incurred providing me my benefits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762822 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:48:45 +0000 gilmoregirl 2762822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is in my contract. If I were to leave my job while on FMLA, I would need to reimburse the district for health insurance premiums paid while I was on leave. It's the employer portion of the premium cost, not my own. I don't know how long I'd need to return to work to avoid needing to repay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762821 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:42:49 +0000 littlejoy 2762821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting!! I've been self employed since 2009, so all of this is so foreign to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762820 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:39:40 +0000 hellobear 2762820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it was same for my company - for unpaid fmla leave, but if you use some of your own accrued paid time (sick, vacation, holiday, pto...) during fmla (like 8 hrs for the month) then i believe it does not matter if you come back after because u oartially paid for the month off and that would cover your benefits.... but u have to check what ur company rules are for doing that... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762819 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:34:45 +0000 Corduroy 2762819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not an HR expert or lawyer but that is the way my leave was presented to me. I don't remember how long I had to work after returning. I was on DH's insurance anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-job-after-taking-fmla#post-2762817 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 17:30:55 +0000 littlejoy 2762817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband is currently working in an in-demand field, and considering switching firms (he's not too happy where he is now). I suggested he use some of his 5 weeks FMLA time (un-paid) to look for a new position. It's a great time to think about transitioning. </p> <p>However, last night he told me he signed paperwork stating he would come back after the 5 weeks, or he would owe his company $700 for carrying his insurance while he is out on leave. </p> <p>Is this legal? His insurance is free - included as a benefit he receives. </p> <p>They've had trouble retaining people after babies are born, but employees are rightfully allowed to take time under FMLA, and they aren't even paying him during this time. Does anyone have insight on this issue? </p>