Re: not trying to start controversy -- but interested in honest opinions

In my opinion, you'd have to be crazy or really wealthy to give up any extra pay. When a baby is first born you will need the extra income to pay for all necessary baby items. Some people do not return to work cause it is not worthwhile since childcare costs so much, not cause they have money to burn. Personally, in my job I was only paid until my sick days had run out. I earned my sick days and saved them, why shouldn't I get them? Instead the city of NY should keep my money? days? (I was a city teacher.) They sure never cared about me, when we went years without contracts.

Re: not trying to start controversy -- but interested in honest opinions

Having been on both sides of this-Everyone involved always looks out for their own interests. Employee will do what they have to do and so will the Employer.

I don't think it's unethical at all-what if you're plans weren't to come back then things changed? As a manager, I would have a replacement for you ready to go as soon as your STD disability ran out and before maternity leave started, i would make sure I had a letter of resignation with an estimated date of separation.

As a mom, I knew damn well I wasn't going back, but I wasn't going to let them know that so I didn't get screwed if I changed my mind or couldn't find a new position.

It's the nature of short term disability, whether it be for an injury or maternity leave, an employer is always prepared to replace once FMLA runs out.

Re: not trying to start controversy -- but interested in honest opinions

I am a SAHM - and for me I was unable to tell my employer that I was going to come back. I loved my bosses and I just couldn't tell them that I would return knowing that I had no intention of doing so.

I did hold off on telling them so they wouldn't let me go before I was ready- I told them about 2 weeks before I got taken out on disability - but b/c I was so straight forward with them - (apparently no one has told them they were not coming back - everyone just waits until right before they return and then tell them) they decided that they wanted to help me so they decided they would not accept my resignation until my maternity time was up. You don't get much but for me I am able to keep my health insurance until my leave is up and they terminate me.

Many companies are not generous like mine is however - I do understand why people hold off - for health insurance, or the little money you get in disability is greatly needed by many people - I know we needed it - but for me personally I didn't do it.

Message edited 7/27/2007 3:28:06 PM.

Re: not trying to start controversy -- but interested in honest opinions

I did this with Bryan. i wast 85% sure I want coming back, I took the measly disability pay only because I wasnt 100% sure-- what if I couldnt stand staying home all the time? or dh lost his job? I wanted to have my options open and not quit my job right away and guess what? 18months they called me out of the blue and offered me a sweet position to come back after I left them after my maternity. I dont feel bad at all and my boss said I did everything perfectly fine.

Re: not trying to start controversy -- but interested in honest opinions

I don't feel this is unethical really. In my situation, I will be using my own vacation and sick time anyway--there is no maternity pay. This is time I had coming to me over the years that I did not use, and I won't get all of it if I leave, so how is it unethical?

Someone told me the U.S. is one of the few developed nations that offers no maternity leave pay by law. I think Singapore is one other.

Re: not trying to start controversy -- but interested in honest opinions

This is the way I look at it. Most of us work for "the man". The one thing I learned about "the man" is that he doesn't give a sh!t about you as an individual. So screw it, sometimes, and very rarely, you just have to get one over on "the man".