https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 22:22:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170508 Thu, 07 May 2015 11:34:43 +0000 MamaCate 2170508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the feedback! I am feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of going to the training "off the record" after thinking through all your comments. I will talk with them again about what other options are available to preserve my leave and continue the training and see what happens... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170472 Thu, 07 May 2015 11:15:02 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2170472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is no way that I would give up a third of my maternity leave to attend a two day training. So if your company is going to consider your maternity leave done if you attend this training, I would tell them that that is not happening and that you will make arrangements to do it out-of-state at a later date. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170440 Thu, 07 May 2015 11:02:51 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2170440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Yes...there is a difference between continuous FMLA and intermittent FMLA. I took continuous FMLA for the birth of my child while I took intermittent FMLA to help my mom through her chemo treatments. </p> <p>Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be for your own medical condition...which is why it's called FAMILY medical leave... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170434 Thu, 07 May 2015 11:00:49 +0000 MamaCate 2170434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: hoping for vaginal birth! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170433 Thu, 07 May 2015 11:00:46 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2170433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I work in HR - and you're allowed to take a full 12 weeks after you have a baby. You're allowed 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery for your own medical condition and then up to 6 weeks of baby bonding to care for your child. If you have to take 8 weeks for a cesarean, you only get 4 weeks for baby bonding so that you don't go past 12 weeks. If you google FMLA baby bonding, there's more information out there, but baby bonding is a part of FMLA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170431 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:59:30 +0000 MamaCate 2170431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: thanks! I will look into the policy a little more. I know my last leave they wrote the FMLA paperwork for 12 weeks of leave for bonding.</p> <p>It is my understanding right now that like @Adira: it can't be broken up.</p> <p>You guys are really helping me think through this and what my options are and what I am willing to do--thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170429 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:58:19 +0000 Adira 2170429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: FMLA CAN be used for baby bonding. People take FMLA when they adopt for example.</p> <p>But my company doesn't allow you to break up FMLA used for baby bonding. So you can't take 2 weeks here, go back to work for a week, and then take an additional 2 weeks of FMLA, all for baby-bonding.</p> <p>FMLA can be broken up into segments for medical needs though. Like someone dealing with cancer might take off a few days/weeks for a chemo treatment, come back to work for a few days/weeks, and then take more time off, based on their medical needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170427 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:57:30 +0000 getjazzy 2170427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't forfeit 4 weeks for a 2 day course. I would make arrangements somehow to complete the course. Baffling to me that they don't have any other date options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170423 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:55:46 +0000 Adira 2170423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: Some of this will depend on your company's policies I think. I know at my company, the baby bonding portion of FMLA cannot be broken up, so I wouldn't be able to take part of it, go to the training for 2 days, and then resume my FMLA. I'm guessing your company may be the same?</p> <p>As much as it would suck, I would skip the training if it meant you wouldn't be able to take your full 12 weeks of maternity leave! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170421 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:54:45 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2170421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: sorry. But I don't believe this is correct. To use FMLa there needs to be a medical reason. Bonding is not a medical reason to be just used voluntarily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170417 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:53:03 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2170417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: I definitely would not give up 4 weeks of leave! </p> <p>So, technically, FMLA covers for UP TO 12 weeks. But most OB's only sign you out of work for 6 weeks (vaginal) 8 weeks (c-section). After that its up to your OB to sign you off for more time (if you have PPD, tearing, etc) or up to your office policies to let you take more time off. We are allowed to take up to 6 months off, all unpaid, using whatever PTO we have saved. </p> <p>So my OB cleared me from FMLA (which you cannot work while under since employer could get sued). and then I basically was just like "part time". While I was out I still submitted a time sheet and everything so I just billed like 2 days that month and the rest was PTO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170416 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:50:29 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2170416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: they shouldn't be able to dictate that. Do you know if you're having a vaginal or cesarean birth? If it's a cesarean, you would be cleared to return to work after 8 weeks, and then you have a right to take 4 weeks of baby bonding leave at any point within the first year of your baby's life per FMLA. It doesn't HAVE to be tacked onto the end of your leave. I would investigate that a little further. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170399 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:38:36 +0000 MamaCate 2170399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: how did you get them to agree to resume your leave? It sounds like our HR is saying once you are back you are back. I am not willing to give up 4 weeks of my leave so I feel sort of stuck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170392 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:34:29 +0000 jetsa 2170392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of women are back to work at 8 weeks (including myself), you'll be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170391 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:34:27 +0000 sapphire 2170391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two days of work related things I had to do during my leave. My mom came and stayed with us overnight during one and DH watched LO during the second. Especially at 8 weeks, it is manageable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170379 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:31:11 +0000 Bluebonnet 2170379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: You mentioned you have the option of going to a later training out of state. How much later? I think it would be much easier to go to a training later than risk ending maternity leave early.</p> <p>You mentioned you are the primary parent. Are you the only parent? If not, I think its very reasonable to have LO stay at home and have your partner be the primary parent for 2 days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170368 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:25:53 +0000 Mommy Finger 2170368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is your maternity leave paid by your company or is it just FMLA? If it's just FMLA, you can take 12 weeks off during a 12 month period and it doesn't have to be consecutive. So you should be fine to tack on the days at the end. We have a guy currently at my company who is taking FMLA but is splitting up his time. So he takes a few weeks off here and there. </p> <p>But if it's fully or partially paid by your company, that might have some other issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170343 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:12:21 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2170343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 days is probably ok. My best friend was in Pharmacy school (NOT EMPLOYED, but a STUDENT) and she had to finish her rotation when she had her son. She had a RCS, 8 days off school, then went back to the rotation for 5 more days!!! I actually played nanny for her family, stayed with them, drove her to and from school, and even drove her new son to the pharmacy each day at lunch for breastfeeding (we still did bottles of BM for the other feedings) It was a rough week, but everybody made it out happy. She had 12 weeks off after that one week back, and then she graduated on time.</p> <p>See if you can get a friend to help! 2 days should be easy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170304 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:48:41 +0000 snowjewelz 2170304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>8 weeks old and 2 days... I think it's manageable! I mean, there are other people that will be training right? So if you skip out last minute it's still okay? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170298 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:46:57 +0000 JennyG 2170298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: We had a training at work while I was on maternity leave. I wanted to attend this training as it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. However, I (as well as other mamas) were told that if we attended, our maternity leave would be considered over. This is at a public school district that has unpaid leave. My sister works in HR and said basically once you come back for something, you are considered well enough to return and should be back at work. Just as an FYI. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170286 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:43:52 +0000 birdofafeather 2170286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think it's extenuating circumstances (instead of a random 2 day meeting, but something planned and needed to finish) and i would make sure that 1) it's legal 2) you can get the 2 extra days added to the end or used as PTO for later in the year! it's totally doable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170271 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:41:27 +0000 MamaCate 2170271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: It is not required in the sense of I will lose my job, but I will lose out on the certification. HR said if I go then my leave has to be over but my agency is trying to work around that somehow. </p> <p>@PurplePeony: The trainers are coming in from out of state and it is a big deal in terms of cost and logistics. My employer offered the option of going to a later training out of state but I am the primary parent as well as working so that would require taking both Los and a caregiver with me. That sounds worse. </p> <p>@catomd00: I would love to but since this would not be sanctioned by HR, I am not sure if I would get approval. That is a good idea to follow up on though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170252 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:37:18 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2170252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: yes. I would worry most about your leave. I ran I to this for doing some WFH. </p> <p>Basically I legally had to be cleared by my Ob so I could work and then they had to agree to let me continue my leave even though I billled hours. </p> <p>Talk to them. It's very doable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170247 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:35:55 +0000 PurplePeony 2170247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In your situation, I think I'd consider what the alternatives are. Is there a make-up session later but your employer just wants to to be at this one? In that case, I'd hold firm and let them know the dates you'll be attending the next session and when your certification will be complete. But if it's a matter of not getting the certification at all if you don't go, I'd probably suck it up and then extent your leave by those two days (and make it clear to your employer that you're making a serious accommodation for them by doing this). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170246 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:35:48 +0000 blackbird 2170246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So....it's actually illegal at my computer to do company work while on medical leave. I would see what's actually allowed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170213 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:20:23 +0000 catomd00 2170213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can't you just tack two leave days on to the end to make up for it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170200 Thu, 07 May 2015 09:14:51 +0000 Bluebonnet 2170200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have paid leave? If so, talk to your HR department. I don't think you're allowed to work and collect maternity leave at the same time (not sure if that is the law or corporate policy or what). </p> <p>At 8 weeks postpartum, it would have been hard, but doable. At 8 weeks postpartum, you would have to be taking a lot of pumping breaks (I'm guessing 4 breaks) if you pump every time LO eats. That is going to be challenging. (I'm assuming the training is at your office or somewhere local during business hours and you aren't traveling). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170129 Thu, 07 May 2015 08:52:16 +0000 Anagram 2170129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: I know some women go back to work at 6-8 weeks, so I guess it is doable, but I wouldn't have *wanted* to do it, and I think technically, it's illegal for your employer to require it.</p> <p>If you feel like you want to do it, to be more prepared for your job when you go back--then yes, you can make it work. But I would be bitter about it! My maternity leave time was so precious to me...I wanted every second of it.</p> <p>Could you ask if you get 2 extra days tacked onto the end? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170111 Thu, 07 May 2015 08:47:03 +0000 Mamaof2 2170111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't done this but it sounds totally doable! You might even enjoy a little break away from home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mandatory-training-during-maternity-leave#post-2170091 Thu, 07 May 2015 08:42:03 +0000 MamaCate 2170091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Short version: I have a "mandatory" training for work about 2 months into my maternity leave. It is "mandatory" in the sense of I cannot complete a training program that began in March without attending two days in person and am trying to figure out what to do. </p> <p>Long version: I am due with LO#2 in July. At work, I am a therapist working with young children. My agency has begun participating in a training cohort that is 18 months long and includes 3 face to face training sessions. These are required in order to complete the training and receive recognition that you are certified to do this method. One falls in September, about 8 weeks into my maternity leave. It is 2 days.</p> <p>I have told my agency that I am interested in figuring out how to participate during my leave but am not willing to cut my leave short. I asked about attending via Skype but was told this was not an option.</p> <p>Has anyone had a situation like this? I am trying to figure out if it is totally crazy or will be doable? I will have access to a space to pump and have family who could come in and watch LO, but I am just trying to predict how I will feel in the future. </p> <p>Thanks! </p>