Office maternity policy...

My boss hasn't been in the office in a few weeks, so i haven't been able to tell him I'm pregnant (which is killing me). So I was on the phone with a co-worker in the main office (I work in a satellite office) and asked her if she knew the maternity policy. She said she didn't but she would find out for me.

Well she just asked the office manager who said she didn't remember. Maybe 4 weeks paid. I am a little frustrated. i want to know! I need to tell my boss, but I don't want to tell him over the phone.

This is so frustrating.

Re: Office maternity policy...

I know the feeling. This has been a big stressor to me. Everyone knows I'm pregnant and I want to stay with my company but don't want to stay in my position which everyone just assumes I will. It's hard to ask questions without causing a lot of suspicions.

Re: Office maternity policy...

4 weeks paid?? Thats not even the minimum required by NYS.

We get 6 wks paid - but one week is our own vavcation time.

The whole system *****.

Re: Office maternity policy...

I thought they don't require PAID anything... you are entitled to disability and they are required to keep your position for you. I don't think my company pays anything!

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Re: Office maternity policy...

Message edited 11/4/2005 1:41:09 PM.

Re: Office maternity policy...

Re: Office maternity policy...

Posted by Elbee

Posted by MrsJ

OK

You are able to go out on disability, which is what I have to do for work. NYS disability for 5 weeks and 1 week of my vacation time. After that its FMLA time.

The attorneys at my firm get 3 mos off with full pay, I think THEY are pretty lucky.

NYS pays for disability (everyones?)? Or do you have to have short term disability insurance? I never can understand what they say in our packages ...

OK, now I want to be an attorney. The rich get richer ...

Re: Office maternity policy...

I just found this website on it

MATERNITY LEAVE

Pregnancy is considered a temporary disability within the meaning of the State Human Rights Law. It is against the law to fire or refuse to hire an applicant because she is pregnant.

Employers are required to hold jobs for pregnant women as long as they do for employees who take leave for reasons other than pregnancy.

A pregnant worker must receive the same fringe benefits (including seniority accrual, sick leave, health and medical coverage) received by employees for disabilities not related to pregnancy. For example, accumulated sick leave can be used to cover the period a pregnant worker is certified by her doctor to be unable to work. She can use vacation leave if her employer allows anyone else the use of vacation leave while disabled.

Employers with medical insurance must cover the medical cost of pregnancy to the same extent that they cover other medical expenses. The law requires that employers= health and disability insurance plans treat pregnancy like all other short term disabilities (i.e, broken leg, heart attack, etc.)

The State Human Rights Law prohibits employers from requiring pregnant workers to take mandatory maternity leave until their doctor certifies that they are unable to work. They must be allowed to return to work as soon as their doctor certifies that they are medically fit.

The fact that a woman deals with the public in the course of her job, and the employer=s feeling that customers prefer not to deal with a pregnant woman, are not legitimate reasons to force her to leave.

Under New York Law a pregnant worker is entitled to disability benefits for the period she is certified by her doctor as unable to work. Employees in the private sector are covered under the New York State Disability Benefits Law (Article 9, Workers Compensation Law). It requires all covered employers to treat claims filed for pregnancy-related disabilities the same as claims for any other disability. Specifically, benefits are payable for up to 26 weeks t o eligible employees who have submitted acceptable medical proof of disability. .

Questions regarding maternity disability benefits should be directed to:


Workers Compensation Board,
180 Livingston Street,
Brooklyn, New York 11248 (718) 802-6964.

.


And here is from a lawyers website

Levy Davis

. Do I have a right to paid maternity leave?

A. If you qualify under the Family and Medical Leave Act, you have a right to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. You may have the right to paid leave under company policies – especially if the company has a policy of giving paid time off to men with temporary disabilities. You may also have the right to disability benefits during any period of incapacity.



I thought so, it's just so confusing.

Message edited 11/4/2005 2:05:25 PM.

Re: Office maternity policy...

Elbee, YES you are entitled up to 12 weeks unpaid under FMLA - keep in mind the key words are "up to 12 wks" - you arent guaranteed 12 full wks, its up to your employers discretion (which is BS in my opinion)...but you are entitled to short term disability on top of that. Def. look into it more. Talk to your dr about it too. Good luck :)

Re: Office maternity policy...

So if i want to take off 3 months- would I be able to? I realize it may be unpaid. I am concerned about losing my job.

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Shelly,

FMLA only applies to companies that have more than 50 employees. I thought you worked for a small law firm?

This is directly from the FMLA

"An employer covered by FMLA is any person engaged in commerce or
in any industry or activity affecting commerce, who employs 50 or more
employees for each working day during each of 20 or more calendar
workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year..."


For the full statute, look HERE

Message edited 11/4/2005 4:18:55 PM.

Re: Office maternity policy...

I get 6 weeks UNPAID leave. I was so angry when I found that out. 6 weeks is NOT enough time. I going to wind up using accumualted vacation and sick days for another few weeks.

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The disability check is about $160. (I just got my first one the other day and I had my baby 7 weeks ago).

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Yes, it was $170 and then there were taxes taken out.