NYC Teacher and Maternity/Leaves Question For ANYONE Who May Have Knowledge

Hi,

I am a NYC Teacher. I am due to give birth to my daughter on October 13. What I have been dealing with between the UFT, reading that Not For Women Only Book on their site, from my payroll secretary (who is awful) and from other people's "opinions" is driving me nuts!!!!

I am going to try to go back for two or three weeks. I commute almost 2 hours each way (live on eastern LI) so its going to be rough, plus I teach Pre-K and they are SO needy in the beginning. I was told technically you can take off anytime during pregnancy for restoration of health but it isn't until the baby is born where maternity kicks in. I want to take 3 mos off (come back after Christmas break) so I want to do FMLA. Some say FMLA runs concurrently with maternity so after the 6 weeks (or 8 if c-section) you add on the additional weeks to total 12 weeks. Otheres say if I take a few weeks off before the baby is born then FMLA starts then. NOBODY knows there sh--!

I am 0 days in my bank so I plan on borrowing the 20 we are allowed and then doing the 30-day grace period.

But my question is: Where do I begin? If I leave like 3 weeks before I am due what forms do I need? Does FMLA begin then or is this called a restoration of health?

ALSO, two different people gave me two different answer on this. One said your vaca days (like the Jewish Holidays, Veteran's, Thanksgiving, etc) do count towards your FLMA (12 weeks), and that only the Christmas week we would not add on. Someone else said ALL of these days count and eliminate them when you are counting your 12 weeks and when you need to come back. I AM SO CONFUSED! HELP!!! Also, someone told me about SLOAC (whatever this is) and you can stay out for 4 mos instead of 3 with benefits.

Thanks a bunch,
Keri

Re: NYC Teacher and Maternity/Leaves Question For ANYONE Who May Have Knowledge

Nobody knows what's going on in the city. I wish I could give you an answer, but I can't. My secretary misinformed me and BOED messed up and I ended up owing $$$$11000! So be careful and make sure they only pay you for your 20 days. I think basically your 20 days to be paid will not include the holidays, but your 6 wks does except Chrismas week. You will get paid fro 20 working days in other words. That's it.

Re: NYC Teacher and Maternity/Leaves Question For ANYONE Who May Have Knowledge

if u leave before baby is born then FMLA does kick in. it happened to me. so then once the baby is born and u used up all your 20 days then ur grace period of 30 days starts then.... if u still want to take off u must take a leave in which u are off the books and have no insurance until u return hth

Message edited 8/11/2008 7:38:40 PM.

Re: NYC Teacher and Maternity/Leaves Question For ANYONE Who May Have Knowledge

As soon as you take off FMLA kicks in. So if you take off 3 weeks before the baby arrives then you minus that from your FMLA. I took off about two weeks before my c-section and in was minused form my FMLA. I was paid for 8 weeks because I had a c-section and I had enough days in my bank. After that I just used my FMLA for my helath insurance until my DH's kicked in.


You need to fill out the OP198 form and get a doctor's note to leave your job before the bay is born. I then gave it to my school secretary and he got it signed by the principal and sent it in for me. After the baby is born if you are using days in your bank you then need to fill out another OP188. If you get a c-section you also need to fill out form 407. Even if you do get a c-section it does not mean you will be automatically approved for 8 weeks. I found this out because my DH was taking administrative classes in his professor was Head of the Division of Human Resources.

I think I then filled out a form for FMLA. I can't remember. I am trying to look through my papers now but it is just so confusing.

I know you fill out OP160 if you go on a leave of absence after you use up your sick days and FMLA.

I am also sending FM with the name of someone you can speak with at 65 court Street.

Re: NYC Teacher and Maternity/Leaves Question For ANYONE Who May Have Knowledge

BUMP