NYC DOE MOMS HELP PLEASE!!!!

NYC DOE MOMS!

I went to a maternity workshop with the UFT today....while they were very helpful, the woman running it was hesitant to answer this question for me so i need some help!

I would like to take the maximum time allowed (12 weeks) and be able to return to work in december (i know i could do a full a year for childcare leave but we can only afford the 12 weeks)

i have enough days in my CAR so here is my question.....

can i take 6 weeks maternity, then rather then go right to FMLA can i get my doctor to write a note due to medical issue (back problem) for 2 weeks then use the remaining 2 weeks of FMLA?
this way I would get 8 weeks paid and only 4 weeks unpaid rather than 6?

also, if this is the route i go, when would i apply for FMLA? would i apply when baby is born or wait until after my 6 weeks?

NYC DOE MOMS HELP PLEASE!!!!

Yes! I think so! I'm pretty sure someone in my workshop asked this. Buttttt you wouldn't file until maternity is over on SOLas it would be a different type of leave and you can't have two leaves at the same time!

Message edited 7/18/2017 7:30:59 PM.

NYC DOE MOMS HELP PLEASE!!!!

The reason she wouldn't answer you is because that's a hairy question...do you KNOW you are going to have an issue or are you going to *wink wink* have an issue? You definitely have to submit paperwork and they go through it because I was on bedrest with my first then had a c-section and got 13 weeks paid only because it was 2 separate things, but I would think something after birth would be on their radar..they are so stingy with our leave! As for when to apply, I would think when you are getting to the end of your maternity leave. You only need enough days in your CAR to cover 6 weeks for a vaginal or 8 weeks for a c-section

Re: NYC DOE MOMS HELP PLEASE!!!!

From my understanding, you will only be paid the 6 or 8 week period from when you have your baby. I don't know how medical excuses work, but I'm pretty sure FMLA is unpaid.

I had a baby in February and had 22 days in my car. I was only paid for the 6 weeks after my baby was born. My pay actually got screwed up because my school's secretary didn't file my paperwork on time. So I would suggest keeping on top of the payroll secretary to make sure there are as few problems as possible.

Good luck, DOE maternity is a pain in the butt!

NYC DOE MOMS HELP PLEASE!!!!

6 or 8 weeks depending on type of birth... then fmla extension. I had enough days on my car but the extended weeks were unpaid, and I was taken off payroll. i was out 9 weeks total and if was a mess due to secretary.

NYC DOE MOMS HELP PLEASE!!!!

If you did your 6 week leave and then couldn't go back for 2 more because of siatica I've seen it happen and it's all paid. It's due different leaves but I'm not saying it will be easy to get continually paid!

NYC DOE MOMS HELP PLEASE!!!!

So technically we don't qualify for FMLA because of hours worked. My understanding was the city got audited and started to inforce it last year. UFT is trying to fight it. But The DOE has a new policy, which they conveniently failed to mention to its teachers. Basically, we are not entitled to FMLA because we do not work the minimum 1250 hours in the course of the 12 year period. In the past they have granted it to us, despite this. However, starting this year, if you take more than 7 days off in the 12 months, they are automatically not granting you FMLA. it happened last year to a teacher at my school and it is being challenged but you might not get FMLA if you have taken off too many days in the 12 months before.