https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:21:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2536251 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:26:39 +0000 dc yoga bee 2536251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: this screwed me too, and I wasn't able to use std and would lose my benefits during the unpaid time. No health insurance, and I just had a baby!?! Crazy.</p> <p>I'm sorry, and I hope it works out ((hugs)). I had 8 weeks paid mat leave, and it's hard coming back but you can do it. I don't really know what else to say, but if you do get 8 weeks, know that it does get easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2536234 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:14:02 +0000 MrsBeluga 2536234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it makes you feel any better I get to go back PT at 6 weeks... non teacher in a private company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2536160 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 14:51:35 +0000 katsupgirl 2536160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HazelEyes: my job makes me/lets me file for an extension if I want to stay out past the 12 weeks. I have to do it without pay though. They screw you over by having everything run concurrently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535892 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 11:29:12 +0000 peaches1038 2535892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shannon: this is exactly how my job does it as well. Such BS </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535848 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 11:03:51 +0000 snowjewelz 2535848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't even know if I understand this 100%, but I am so sorry and I feel you! I've always, always said that I feel like I'm being punished for having a kid!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535825 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 10:47:43 +0000 shabang 2535825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry.</p> <p>My work uses up all saved sick days and vacation days before paying any STD, you have to use them, and they run concurrently. So basically, with my first child, I saved all my days thinking it would cover us for the first 6 weeks with sick/vacation pay and then the second 6 weeks with STD only to find out that since they run concurrently, they didn't have to pay out any STD because all my saved/accrued sick and vacation days covered that 6 week period and the second 6 weeks was completely unpaid. I ended up wishing I would have taken it a bit easier before the baby arrived and used sick days when I was pregnant and needed to or took a small vacation with my husband. Since HR doesn't explain this upfront, I now explain how it works to pregnant coworkers so they aren't unpleasantly surprised like we were. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535768 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 10:15:29 +0000 iluvboba637 2535768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Fellow teacher here who just wants to commiserate. I agree. Maternity leave benefits in the public school system in calif sucks. My baby is 2 wks old and I'm going back in another 4 weeks to work for 3 days until the school year is over bc otherwise Not only would I lose out on my July paycheck but they're going to make me pay my health insurance out of pocket too! :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535749 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 10:06:21 +0000 gotkimchi 2535749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry :( I've having trouble as well. Last time I got std for 8 weeks after a csection. His time they only approved 6. Work wants a note from my dr for the extra 2 weeks and they said it's not "necessary". But 2 weeks pay makes a big difference </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535748 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 10:05:04 +0000 petitenoisette 2535748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a teacher as well and I've been astounded by how crappy some of the maternity leaves (or lack thereof) offered in teaching. It's kind of crazy to me in such a female-dominated profession! Plus it seems like some of the policies they put in place make things so much more disruptive for students. Anyway.. </p> <p>That being said, I don't totally understand the specifics of your situation but I would definitely talk to your union rep. The way it works in my school is that we can use our sick days during FMLA leave to be paid for however many weeks your doctor signs off for (though if you only get signed off for 6 weeks they basically send it back and tell you to get 8). So it seems really weird to me that your sick days would work against you!</p> <p>I'm sorry you're going through this, it sounds so frustrating :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535713 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:44:21 +0000 HazelEyes 2535713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: infuriating! I"m anticipating that's what is going to happen with these two weeks paid they are introducing next school year.</p> <p>@katsupgirl: An extension? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535712 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:42:27 +0000 katsupgirl 2535712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work in a school system and it is crazy to me how terrible they are with maternity leave. My previous place was way better. Could you do an extension and request the donated leave after the 30 days? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535699 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:25:36 +0000 hellobeeboston 2535699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry :( That's SO frustrating.</p> <p>I went through a frustrating situation at my job in that I was out on maternity leave when they changed our policy, and I didn't qualify as I was already out. It went from 6 weeks paid to SIXTEEN paid, and I didn't get it.... Awesome for everyone else, but I missed it by like 15 days, and they wouldn't allow it :( I cried a lot, because there was nothing I could do and I was hormonal and home with my baby and just mad about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535693 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:21:06 +0000 HazelEyes 2535693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runnerd: Its my sick leave that I've seriously been hoarding for the 10 years at my job.</p> <p>Like you said, I just don't understand how it makes me ineligible. I wouldn't be going past the FMLA 12 weeks, I"m hoping to MAKE it as close as I can to 12 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535682 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:11:03 +0000 runnerd 2535682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm I've never heard of the issue with having days saved making you ineligible for STD - I'd definitely dig into that more. Although I've never had near 8 weeks of accrued time so maybe that's standard and I just don't know it.</p> <p>I'm sorry!! It sucks how we all have to piecemeal our time with our new babies and fight for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/maternity-leave-vent#post-2535674 Thu, 28 Apr 2016 09:04:30 +0000 HazelEyes 2535674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I"m so upset right now. I work in a school system and am about to have my second baby in about a month. I used all 12 weeks I was allowed for J and it took me to the summer--great-- but now I only have 8 weeks left after hoarding my sick days bc we can't afford for me to take leave without pay.</p> <p>My wonderful coworker offered to donate a week of her leave to me, which will get me closer to my goal of taking September off in order to pay only 1/2 tuition for that month/be with #2 until she's 4 months.</p> <p>I submitted to Personnel a request for a leave donation and I'm denied because I have enough leave to get me through 30 days after my "life changing event," thus not eligible to receive short term disability support!!!</p> <p>I feel like I'm being penalized for not using my sick days!</p> <p>That compounded by we're working a week later in June and starting earlier in August. I can't work during the summer (where I usually work an extra 10 days) because its in the middle of my mat leave, so I"m out a paycheck we count on. They just passed a two week paid FMLA leave for next school year that I KNOW they will find a way for me not to be eligible for.....</p> <p>I just feel like I can't win. I don't want to screw the system I just want to be home with my newborn and not go broke.</p> <p> :crying: </p> <p>Thanks for listening. </p>