https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 07:29:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2407627 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 11:38:02 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 2407627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, everyone for the suggestions and kind words! The problem isn't really with the FMLA because I do qualify for union leave - FLMA guarantees my job for 12 weeks, union guarantees it for 9 months, so it works out either way! The problem is that it is unpaid due to the debacle with the STD, which I don't think I really have ground to stand on. I already checked with my benefits coordinator and she confirmed that it would be a preexisting condition :( I am planning to have my doctor complete the STD claim anyway, though, just to see what happens, worst they can do is deny me :P So I have about 3-4 weeks of vacation/sick time saved up that I will use, then, through the union, I can ask coworkers if they will donate any of their sick time to me, so I plan on doing that just to see if anyone would donate a couple hours here or there which may add up! After that, I guess I'll just be taking unpaid leave which stinks since my husband is a stay at home dad so that's our only income atm. My hope is that we can get our taxes done and have our refund pop in around this time to help me get to at least 8 weeks. Here's to hoping! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2384484 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:28:53 +0000 Maysprout 2384484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you have disability insurance at a previous job? There might be carry over. Also I'm not sure about them saying pregnancy was a pre existing condition. They might not pay for so many months but you might want to check into whether they can count preg like that. I think usually they prevent women from buying it while pregnant by having a long time before it will pay out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2384463 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:19:25 +0000 Littlebit7 2384463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i went through something similar. I didn't qualify for FMLA since I hadn't been at my job 1 year. I only received three months (unpaid) job protected leave through my union contract. I did, however, get STD through the state of NJ (I did have the option of enhanced STD through work but I opted out) and also qualified for their family bonding insurance (THANK YOU NJ and CA, the only two states who provide a paid maternity leave, maybe there is another, can't remember)<br /> My HR was useless. I actually had to do the leg work and prove that I still qualified for the NJ paid leave. My HR said I didn't (they were wrong).<br /> Get on the horn with your union rep. </p> <p>I think PA is one of those ass backwards states; no state disability, no paid maternity leave, UGH. That really sucks, this sounds like a terrible situation.</p> <p>Double check, maybe you have worked the hourly requirement for FMLA but not the 52 weeks? Could you do some overtime between now and then to work up to the hour requirement? Maybe they will let you take PTO after the birth and then claim FMLA? Hey you never know when you will actually deliver. I was two weeks past my due date.<br /> Thats a question for HR as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2384383 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 14:28:51 +0000 MamaG 2384383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like the real issue is the STD not the FMLA. Unfortunately, there's likely very little you can do about how the STD policy works. It sucks, I'm sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2384352 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 14:10:16 +0000 Mommy Finger 2384352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is interesting as a person on my staff had her baby a week before her 12 month anniversary so she just technically took a week of vacation and then her FMLA kicked in. She was able to take 13 weeks of leave. I thought the FMLA time requirement was 1 year or X amount of hours. But I could be wrong on that. We're in Illinois, if that matters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2384263 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:04:59 +0000 Autumnmama79 2384263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just want to say sorry you're dealing with this and I think its outrageous! It breaks my heart a little that you had to go back to work at 4 weeks with your first and are now caught up in this mess. </p> <p>I hope you get some support from your union and find a way to get the benefits you most certainly DESERVE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2384054 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 11:07:05 +0000 snowjewelz 2384054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry, I know it sucks! I had an unpaid leave too just b/c my company didn't have STD. And to think that you were fine only to found out you weren't! Hugs :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2384010 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:40:00 +0000 yoursilverlining 2384010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you are part of a union - call them IMMEDIATELY. This is what unions do: fight for their members! Unions have leverage with most employers, and your collective bargaining agreement may offer additional protections that you won't know about until you speak to a union rep.</p> <p>If you feel you also on track to be terminated, again, talk to the union rep. No union I've ever worked with has taken any termination (even super justified ones) laying down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2384001 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:34:58 +0000 Mama Bird 2384001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs. This is so unfair. I feel so angry for you and all the new moms in this country that can't stay with their kids. I do hope the 8-day thing works out somehow (maybe baby will be late, or they let you work from home to qualify for FMLA like @catomd00: suggests...)</p> <p>A friend has a similar situation and had to go back to work when baby was one month old. Her husband quit his (low-paying) job to be a stay at home dad to their two kids for a year, till the toddler is old enough for free pre-K and the baby can start day care. They're very sad that this is how things worked out, but they're doing what they have to do, and the kids seem happy now that everyone's adjusted a bit. </p> <p>Also, walled you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383689 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 06:26:24 +0000 catomd00 2383689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: it is my understanding that technically you could work for 8 days (from home maybe if they allow?) and then take fmla. You can take it at any time during baby's first year, it doesn't matter when your due date is or when baby arrives. At least when I looked into this I didn't think so. At any rate, hope your baby comes late so you qualify without question! I'll try and find this info when I'm at a computer later... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383686 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 06:19:27 +0000 hellobeeboston 2383686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: ugh! I'm so sorry that is incredibly annoying and unfortunate. They can't make any exceptions since it's only 8 days?! Did you try asking a few different people?? Maybe that termination track makes that impossible? Can your immediate supervisor or boss do anything to help!?</p> <p>I feel your pain because I'm getting slightly screwed in my maternity leave as they instituted a new policy while I was already out. I missed the cutoff by 30 days, going from 6 weeks paid to 16!!!! Incredible for everyone else that has a baby but Ughhhhhhhhhhh. I've cried about it and called everyone and nothing can change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383656 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:18:04 +0000 stratosphere 2383656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh that is rotten - so sorry you're going through this! Def worth talking to your Union rep, though. </p> <p>I started a new job when I was 7 months pregnant with LO and signed up for short term disability immediately. The policy kicked in on the first day of the second full month after my start date. LO wasn't due for 20 days after that policy effective date so I figured I was golden. Wrong. LO came 21 days early, and I missed out on getting my private short term disability benefits by ONE DAY!!! I am SO lucky to live in CA though, so I did get basic state disability payments for 7 weeks (due to having a C-section). </p> <p>I really wish we could get bipartisan political will to enact a Federal level basic parental leave coverage. The U.S. is the richest country in the history of the world and yet we can't "afford" (read: don't value enough) to ensure that our workforce gets a humane parental leave. It is simply shameful that any mother has to go back to work at 3-4 weeks post-partum. We can do better than this! And yet I wonder if this is even something we will see in my DD's lifetime. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383651 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:00:07 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2383651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This blows! What a difference eight days makes :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383649 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:42:40 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2383649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry - this is a terrible situation :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383645 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:12:21 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 2383645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe - it wouldn't hurt. I figure I will still apply anyway - if they deny me, then it's expected, but can't hurt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383644 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:10:49 +0000 regberadaisy 2383644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: talk to your union rep! Doesn't hurt to ask. It seems like union employees are always held to a different contract. So maybe there's something in your Union benefits that will work in your favor?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383643 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:09:24 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 2383643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is how the last company I worked for was when I had my son - they were small enough not to have to provide FMLA, but allowed me 4 weeks off. Not nearly enough time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383641 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:08:42 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 2383641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, I see. I'm not sure regarding the STD, I think it is only private - but I do qualify for 9 months of leave where my job is secured through a union contact. It's just unpaid. Alas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383638 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:06:38 +0000 regberadaisy 2383638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I just meant if your state gave you any benefits. In NY, STD is actually given by the state. And I always thought all vaginal delivery gets 6 weeks and they had to hold your job for 6 weeks. Maybe I remember it wrong or it's a NY thing? My company is too small for Fmla. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383637 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:04:28 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 2383637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in PA - from what I'm aware of pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, so the fact that I got it confirmed prior to the policy starting seems legit. I guess I just thought since I spoke with the rep and signed up for it for the new policy prior it wouldn't conflict, but I guess I was wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383631 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:01:16 +0000 regberadaisy 2383631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: what state are you in? Have you looked into what your rights are per your state? That's really crummy. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unpaid-leave-vent#post-2383629 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 22:58:37 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 2383629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so frustrated right now. I started working for my company in February of this year, found out I was pregnant in June and due January 2016. The representatives from our company's insurance provider had come to our office in May to have us sign up for whatever new policies we chose and I, not even knowing I Was pregnant, I signed up for short term disability. Had my pregnancy confirmed in June and have been thinking this entire time that when I take leave in January I will be covered. Only to find out today that I won't be. Because, apparently, even though I signed up for the policy in May, it did not technically start until July and I confirmed the pregnancy *8* days prior to the start of the policy. Eight days! I cannot even deal.</p> <p>Then I have a near heart attack when HR tells me I don't qualify for FMLA because my due date is - get this - 8 days before my 12 month mark. Fortunatly, I qualify for union leave, but I have no idea what I'm going to do now without the short term disability. I have about 3 weeks of sick/vacation that I can use, but after that it will be all unpaid. My husband is a stay at home dad and I'm our only source of income. He is filling out an application for disability as he is legally blind, but that is going to take longer for approval. I'm just hoping our tax refund kicks in at this time. With DS I was only able to take off 4 weeks before going back to work and, at this point, I can't even imagine doing that. This job is so much more high stress (I'm actually on track to get terminated which is an entire other story and with this luck...) and I've already been so depressed during this pregnancy the thought of not being able to stay home and bond with this baby is crippling me right now. </p> <p>And now HR is saying that if I take off longer than the 3 weeks of paid leave I could lose my insurance benefits completely. I'm going to lose my mind.</p> <p>Vent. Vent. Vent. :crying: </p>