https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 14:18:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087696 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 21:07:49 +0000 Modern Daisy 2087696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have never heard of this. Good luck! One thought might be to take your 12 fmla weeks consecutively but ask to work part time for a few months? Might be simpler that way. My sister took 4 months maternity then went back to a 4 day work week instead of 5. My company would never go for that, but if you are considering asking for this then why not? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087568 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 19:39:54 +0000 creativemomma15 2087568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This wasn't for me but someone I know had her maternity leave fall over the changing of the years so it messed with her PTO. She used her vacation/sick days first and had to use them all and then only used part of her FMLA. She used the rest of her FMLA within the year of her baby being born but used it here and there for when the baby was sick or had appointments. But like others have said I think it depends on your employer's policies for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087557 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 19:30:17 +0000 babybean404 2087557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked it out with my employer to come back earlier than I originally planned but stay part time longer. I started back two days a week after 2.5 months, then did 3 days, then went full time around 6 months. I was not getting paid for the first two months I worked--just racking up comp time I could use later. It was more difficult than I thought to be half in and half out, but I'm still glad I was able to ease into full time work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087413 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 17:37:30 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 2087413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not sure what state you're in, but you will want to check out your options re short term disability (through the state or your company)(in CA you can take 4 weeks off before the birth and 6-8 weeks off after the birth depending on vaginal or c-section) and whether your state offers paid family leave/baby bonding (CA offers 6 weeks to all new parents, dads included). FMLA, if you are eligible as PP said, is unpaid job protection that may run concurrently with other types of paid leave (including PTO) or consecutively, whichever your employer designates. As PPs have said, a lot will depend on your employer's policies so I'd make sure to familiarize yourself with those. Good luck! It takes a lot of time to figure it all out :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087390 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 17:25:14 +0000 mrscobee 2087390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: All good points. There is so much to consider and so many ways to do it! I'm glad I still have time to figure it all out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087340 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 16:40:11 +0000 MamaG 2087340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrscobee: I know you said the one day per week you were hoping to be at home. But I'm guessing when you'd move to two days a week you'd be using some outside the home care for your LO. If you plan on using a center, the part-time rates are often only marginally less than full-time rates. Just another piece to consider. </p> <p>An in-home might be more flexible, but I would imagine they'd want to maximize their income potential and prefer a full time kiddo over one that's only paying for 2 days per week.</p> <p>I know that wasn't the question, but wanted to make sure you were considering it as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087306 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 16:22:02 +0000 jetsa 2087306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrscobee: I worked a day a week at 4 weeks postpartum last time, no big deal. I actually went back 4 days a week at 5.5 weeks postpartum. Also LO goes to an in-home and she was happy to take him whenever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087289 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 16:15:38 +0000 mrscobee 2087289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for the feedback so far!<br /> @yoursilverlining: You make some good points about daycare. I didn't say this, but I am hoping working that 1 day can be at home. Of course, this is all a master plan I have concocted in my head, and will probably all get shot down. I just want to be at home with my little one as long as possible, even if intermittent, and then be able to help out my employer too! They will probably just want me to take 3 months off though :)</p> <p>@rpparker: Sounds similar to what I want to do! I hope they go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087249 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:55:22 +0000 rpparker 2087249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My employer is allowing me to do intermittent leave. My plan right now is to be off for 8 weeks, work 2 days a week for 4 weeks and then 3 days a week for 4 weeks. I am hoping that it will work out that way (due in June)!</p> <p>ETA: When I am back at work part time I will have my mom and MIL switch out watching the baby so I won't have to worry with full time care until I'm back full time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087237 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:50:33 +0000 yoursilverlining 2087237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrscobee: another thought - most daycares won't take infants until they are at least 6 weeks old, so taking just a month off might not work if your LO will be in daycare.</p> <p>FWIW, I wanted to go back to work at 4 weeks pp because I had a colicky infant at home who never slept, and physically I felt like I would have been ok to return to work. It would have been a disaster had I been allowed to go back to work, but there are moms who have to go back sooner than 4 weeks, so it's certainly not impossible to do mentally/emotionally/physically. good luck with your decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087212 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:40:45 +0000 psw27 2087212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boss allows it, but some don't. :happy: And don't rush back to work, you won't want to leave that sweet baby and also, you won't be getting much sleep at that point so it would be hard to function in the world. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087208 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:38:39 +0000 yoursilverlining 2087208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Avivoca is right, it depends on your employer. They can allow intermittent leave, or deny it. Here's a good FAQ on it: <a href="http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs28f.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs28f.pdf</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087207 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:38:24 +0000 littlebug 2087207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can apply for Intermittent FMLA, but my understanding is that in that situation, it has to be used for something that may require you to take random days off of work. For example, before I got my migraines under control, I applied for Intermittent FMLA for migraines, so that if I had to call out of work for a day, it wouldn't count as an "occurrence" for my job, meaning they couldn't count it towards my total of call-outs and be disciplined for it. I have a friend who has Intermittent FMLA for her son who has asthma and she needs to call out of work on occasion for his asthma attacks. </p> <p>Basically, you have to have a medical reason or a reason that your role as a caregiver would be intermittent like that. I don't think it could be used in the way you're describing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087205 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:38:14 +0000 MaryM 2087205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's my understanding that it's up to your employer to work out that kind of arrangement (it isn't a guarantee) unless it's medically necessary. For instance, I took FMLA when DH had surgery. I was able to take intermittent leave following that in order to drive him to doctor's appointments. </p> <p><a href="http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmlaAmended.htm#SEC_102_LEAVE_REQUIREMENT" rel="nofollow">http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmlaAmended.htm#SEC_102_LEAVE_REQUIREMENT</a> </p> <p>In my office, they've allowed for new mothers to transition into work by working shorter days or partially from home. For us, it's in our best interests because that's cheaper than hiring a freelancer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087201 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:36:48 +0000 mrscobee 2087201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: We do have over 50 people. Good to know about your thoughts on working even one day a week - perhaps I am being too optimistic about how this will all go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087197 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:34:48 +0000 avivoca 2087197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it really depends on your employer. I would check to make sure you are eligible for FMLA too (if your company employs less than 50 people, they don't have to offer it). Also, at 4 weeks pp, there was no way I would have been able to work even one day a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-about-fmla#post-2087194 Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:32:29 +0000 mrscobee 2087194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know that much about FMLA, but will obviously do research. I do know you are entitled to 12 weeks (paid or unpaid depending on your employer) for the birth of a child. </p> <p>But does anyone know if you have to use FMLA consecutively? Or can it be used as 12 weeks of leave, but more sporadically? For example, I would like to take a month off work after LO is born, and then maybe work 1 day a week for the next month, and then maybe 2 days a week for the following month, and then be credited for that time worked at the end, so I can ease back into work slowly... Can this legally be done with FMLA, or would I have to work out some other vacation arrangement? </p>