https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 09:39:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935872 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:32:04 +0000 LAZB 1935872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: whoops! A little bigger than I thought :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935864 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:22:30 +0000 MrsKMM 1935864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: Excellent article, thanks so much. Sounds like I'd be eligible. Will definitely be looking into this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935859 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:17:46 +0000 PurplePeony 1935859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LAZB: @MrsKMM: it's 50 employees, and there have to be 50 within 75 miles of your work site. So if there are three offices with 20 people in each, but they're all 100 miles apart, the company isn't covered. Also, you have to have been working there at least a year when the leave is taken. <a href="http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/employeeguide.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/employeeguide.pdf</a><br /> Some states have more generous laws than the federal one, though, so google "FMLA [your state]" to see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935856 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:16:05 +0000 jetsa 1935856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKMM: Yep at 6 weeks </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935847 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:07:52 +0000 MrsKMM 1935847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LAZB: good to know! I guess I'll be calling HR back! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935845 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:05:00 +0000 LAZB 1935845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKMM: sounds like it's definitely big enough. I think there just has to be more than 10 employees.<br /> I also just get FMLA. Basically 12 weeks unpaid, but my job is safe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935834 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 10:49:06 +0000 MrsKMM 1935834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Hmm, do you know how big we'd have to be? I believe we have 12 sites across the state, some bigger than others.<br /> @jetsa: That stinks. I kinda figured if I were going to be covered it would have to be insurance through my company, but can't hurt to check his. Did your LO go to childcare? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935819 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 10:33:54 +0000 jetsa 1935819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKMM: your husbands short term disability won't cover it you have to be covered by your employer we looked into that last time :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935817 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 10:33:01 +0000 jetsa 1935817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get to take my sock and vacation leave but get no other of leave. That's why I'll go back at 6 weeks, did the same with #1. That's maternity leave in the good ol usa </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935815 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 10:29:03 +0000 yoursilverlining 1935815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKMM: FMLA eligibility is based on the size of your company; if that helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935798 Sat, 08 Nov 2014 10:06:57 +0000 MrsKMM 1935798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, everyone, I appreciate the input. Super stressed. I'm on DH's ins through his work, but he's going to call on Monday to see if there are any options for us there. My work directly deals with the department of public health for the state (although we are a private non profit company) so I feel like I should get fmla but can't find any info on it so far. I guess the upside of only being 7 weeks is we are going to budget now and save aggressively, and I'll try to hoard my sick/vacation time. So bummed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935025 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:05:53 +0000 avivoca 1935025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was pregnant, I was not covered by FMLA or offered STD. My employer did allow me to take 12 weeks of maternity leave, but I also saved all of my vacation, half of my sick time, and used a week of comp time to help bridge the gap. Along with that, I saved money over the nine months to cover my portion of the bills. I ended up having four weeks of pay, but I spread it out over four pay periods. I only ended up with one month that wasn't "paid." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1935020 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:03:54 +0000 yellowbird 1935020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKMM: that really sucks :( I actually have short term disability coverage but it barely will cover 25% of my salary for 6 weeks and after that, nothing. I had to start saving aggressively for my leave. It sucks but at least you have some time to prepare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934997 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:57:58 +0000 Anagram 1934997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKMM: The same thing happened to me. I was only 1 month into a new job when I got pregnant, and I'd assumed that (like my old job) STD was automatically included--but it wasn't! So I decided to go balls-to-the-wall with saving and saved like a madwoman for the 10 months I had until I gave birth. I ended up having just enough to buy our major baby necessities and pay myself about half my regular salary for the 4.5 months I took off work.</p> <p>This time, I already signed up for STD for when I do get pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934977 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:50:11 +0000 catomd00 1934977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unfortunately it doesn't sound like there's anything you can do at this point other than cut back somewhere else and save some money (as well as PTO). While STD coverage was better than nothing, it honestly didn't make a big dent and hardly would have noticed had I not gotten it. It was 6 weeks paid at 60% (and is taxed).</p> <p>I do hope they at least offer you FMLA (12 weeks unpaid) or at the VERY least will let you take the 6 weeks (unpaid) that is guaranteed under STD.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934972 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:48:41 +0000 Anya 1934972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You won't be able to get paid through a STD plan if you're not enrolled, but if your company is large enough, you should still be entitled to FMLA- which gives you time off, but it's not paid, unless you are able to use sick/vacation time that you've accrued concurrently.</p> <p>I would signed up as soon as you can though, if you are ok with the premiums. You can't use it for this pregnancy, but you'll want it if you have another child and short-term disability doesn't cover just pregnancy, so it's a good thing to have if it's available. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934968 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:47:06 +0000 LindsayInNY 1934968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@GoGoSnoGirl: AFLAC does have a pre-existing clause. You can't give birth within 10 months of signing up for the policy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934965 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:46:12 +0000 MrsKoala 1934965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn't able to get short term disability either as i hadn't been working at my employer for a year. I took a 6 week maternity leave and with vacation/sick time, 3.5 weeks were paid and only 2.5 were unpaid. Could you do something like that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934956 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:43:03 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 1934956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKMM: what a shock! I'm sorry you're learning about it this way. My initial thought was about Aflac--is that offered privately that you could just go get a policy yourself? But maybe that would have a "preexisting condition" clause in it too... And as mentioned, look into FMLA. I don't know if it varies by state, but I think that can be an option. Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934950 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:42:10 +0000 blackbird 1934950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So do you get ZERO leave or is there something else the company offers? You might check your state benefits or see if you can just hoard the sick time and come back early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934944 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:40:47 +0000 Tanjowen 1934944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I signed up and then had our LO 2 weeks before the 12 months required for it to kick in. Suuuuuucked. </p> <p>I ended up saving all the sick/vacation time I could and used it all and then went only 3 weeks unpaid. A lot of times too, companies can let employees "gift" time to others, if that's an option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934941 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:40:19 +0000 Eko 1934941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is a really big pain. Are you sure your insurance company won't cover it if you sign up mid-term? I know my insurance covers women even if they are mid-pregnant and don't sign up until then. I don't think it is that way with all insurances, but could be a possibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934932 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:35:42 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1934932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sucks! I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work, but what a pain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934928 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:34:36 +0000 autumnlove 1934928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I missed out on a private Aflac plan for LO 2 but I still got some money thru California EDD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934923 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:32:43 +0000 snowjewelz 1934923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sucks! But don't panic! My company doesn't even offer STD so I have no pay for 3 months... We have savings and DH is at least bringing in some income still, it'll be tough but it's not the end of the world (I hope, lol). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934917 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:30:11 +0000 kiddosc 1934917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unfortunately there isn't anything you can do. Are you offered vacation/sick time at your employer? Is your position covered through FMLA? If you are eligible for FMLA, then at least they have to guarantee you the time off. Many employers make you use your vacation/sick time with your family leave anyway. Otherwise I would just stash away any extra cash you can from now until the baby is born :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934912 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:27:52 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1934912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is most likely nothing you can do to get short term disability at this point, but you have 7 months to save up. I would calculate what you think you will need financially during your leave (not necessarily your whole income, but what you need to survive), divide by 7 and cut your expenses by that much each month so that by the time baby is here you will have a chunk of money to use. It will probably be tough, but its possible. The fact that you aren't paying for short term disability should soften the blow a little bit (unless it would have been fully paid for by your employer, in which case that wouldn't apply). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-maternity-leave-coverage-because-i-didnt-sign-up-in-time#post-1934900 Fri, 07 Nov 2014 14:21:53 +0000 MrsKMM 1934900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I (stupidly) hadn't given maternity leave at work a second thought. My coworkers were talking about how we had to sign up for short term disability to receive maternity leave coverage. Nobody ever told me this when I joined the company over a year ago, and I never thought to check it out. </p> <p>I called HR today, and was told the same as what my coworkers said. I have to be signed up for short term disability to receive coverage. Enrollment is only offered twice a year and isn't offered again until late January or February next year. Employees cannot become pregnant within 9 months of signing up for it, or it is void. If I am to become pregnant before signing up, there's nothing that can be done for me.</p> <p>Um, I'm 7 weeks and panicking. I feel *incredibly* stupid for not looking into this before ttc and had blindly assumed I'd be all set. :meh: What the heck to I do now? Financially, this doesn't work for us... I need some sort of income while out on leave. Suggestions? </p>