Anyone else worried about maternity leave?

Question

I’m a teacher and will go on maternity leave a week shy of a year at my new job.  That means I won’t have enough time in to qualify for FMLA or STD.  I am worried they won’t give me much leave and all my sick time will be used for doctors appointments.
And I suppose this is poor planning on my part but my husband and I just moved to a new area, started new jobs and we wanted to start a family ASAP since we are both older and know the clock is ticking. We didn’t know how long TTC could take.  If it had taken a month longer I would’ve qualified for FMLA🤪.  Hate that I left 30 days sick leave at my last job 🙄.  
Teacher contracts and getting time off is really stressing me out. As a FTM I don’t think I could be ready physically or emotionally to go back any sooner than 6 weeks.

Answer

Wow that's crazy that you ladies are forced back to work so soon in Canada we get a year to 18 months of paid at a reduced rate depending on how long you need off. It's scary to think that mothers are put in such a horrible situation

Answer

Public school teacher here. My HR lady tried to convince me that most moms in my district only take 6 weeks leave. I'm taking the full 12 weeks with my first baby and they can deal with it. I have disability insurance that will only cover 6 weeks leave and have to use all of my sick days to cover the other 6, but I think we'll make it. When my colleagues were on maternity leave we were encouraged to email or call them with work-related questions. I did not realize at the time that they were on unpaid leave and did as I was told by my supervisor. When I founs out about unpaid leave I immediately apologized to these coworkers. What I don't get is, if they're not paying ppl for the time away, wtf are they doing contacting teachers on leave constantly via email and phone calls?!?

Answer

I hear ya. I’m a teacher too. It sucks to have to use my sick days and only get unpaid leave AND still pay insurance out of pocket. My student loans equal most of my paycheck each month so I’m really worried about defaulting (on the private loans).  The teachers I work with have all had to deal with this and it was difficult for them too. I don’t have family that can help me either, so I’ll have to pay for days that I have to take off if something comes up after maternity leave. Not sure how we’ll pay for child care either. Ugh. I guess we have no choice but to make it work, even if it means making some difficult budgetary decisions. Sigh. 
For a profession made up of people taking care of other’s children, it’s not very forgiving of our own.  😤😠

Answer

Wow that’s crazy reading all these stories. I’m a teacher in Australia and will be getting the entire year off work with pay (I’ve opted for half pay to get it to last the year) but still! The thought that other teachers in the world don’t get the same rights is crazy. Here even if you were on a contract you would qualify for the full maternity leave.... sending best wishes guys!

Answer

Curious, what are you deciding will be your last day at work? Your due date? I’d see if you can go on pregnancy related disability around then (not sure if possible in your state) as that might give you a way to let the other leave mechanisms to kick in.

Answer

It's a bullshit ass system. Every new parent should be granted paid 12 weeks regardless. But this country doesn't care about people, it cares about money.

Answer

I’m a teacher too. With my first two I went back at 6 wks even after csection with my son. Couldn’t go without paycheck and having to pay for insurance. It was tough but had family watching our kids so it made it easier. I hate that they can’t give us maternity leave and expect us to use up all of our sick days to have a baby 😡 I have enough this time for 6 weeks off. Am trying to find a way to take longer. Will the baby have to go to a sitter or do you have family?

Answer

I teach preschool now, but when I taught public school, the union contract overruled Federal employment law and was in many cases more generous than FMLA. It varies state to state and district to district, but check with your building’s union rep to see what you may qualify for. 
And if not, I hope your baby is a week late!

Answer

I know how you feel. I work for Family and its a super small business I mean literally like 3 ppl including myself. I recently became really sick and needed two weeks off (doctors orders) I go back this upcoming Tuesday. And my uncle (my boss) fought me to not pay me my salary. I also have a 18 month old daughter and I have always had a cesarean section this upcoming will be my 5th one and 6th baby. Anyways he was like sayin I would get two weeks off and that was it. Unpaid. I ended up getting an infection and having an emergency surgery afterwards so I was off almost 6 weeks and I was not paid. I also had a wound vac and I had to bring it to work it sucked. This time around a coworker mentioned to him while I have been sick that it will be so hard when I go on maternity leave for twelve weeks and he responded with “she gets two weeks” and he doesn’t even want to pay me. So I totally understand where u r coming from. I have to ask myself everyday if its worth it. I am considering paying off some stuff at tax time and going back to SAHM.

Anyone else worried about maternity leave?

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