Not understanding this- re DH taking time off when I give birth

DH works for the DOE and asked the school how it would work when the twins are born in December. What he relayed to me was really confusing. They basically told him they will worry about it in September but that they don't want him to take 2 weeks off in mid December to come back after Christmas break because it will be in the middle of the semester. He should come back at the end of January when the new semester begins. That would mean he'd basically be forced to take FMLA (unpaid). That makes NO sense to me. His female coworkers come back 8-12 weeks after giving birth no matter where they are in the semester. I imagine they are trying to be helpful but we want him to take as little unpaid time as possible.
Anyone ever heard of this?

Re: Not understanding this- re DH taking time off when I give birth

Our work contract has a part that mentions something about return dates from maternity leave coordinating with the beginning of a new semester. I'm not sure how this works with an abbreviated leave or paternity leave.
Did he check his contract? I know we have a teacher in the district who helps us out with starting to figure out leave parameters. Maybe there's someone like that in he can consult?

Re: Not understanding this- re DH taking time off when I give birth

Not understanding this- re DH taking time off when I give birth

I was on LI so it might not be the same, but we had pretty much two choices - come back as soon as FMLA ends, or you had to wait until the start of a new semester. They don't want teachers coming up mid-semester as they feel it throws everything off.

Re: Not understanding this- re DH taking time off when I give birth

Tell him to contact the uft. In queens, they give maternity workshops. Maybe they caN give him the facts. Payroll secretaries generally interpret the contract in their own ways.

Re: Not understanding this- re DH taking time off when I give birth

Is he using any sick days? At BOCES we can stay out until all sick days are used and return. If you go over one day of your sick leave balance then you are on unpaid leave and may only return on Sept 1 or Feb. 1.

Speak to your union rep. Can you typically use sick days to care for a family member? Men usually take two weeks paid leave and return.

Message edited 6/28/2012 4:53:31 PM.

Not understanding this- re DH taking time off when I give birth

DH was able to take his sick days and come back mid semester, he was out for just over a month and came back after Easter break. I think he did the paid leave first and the rest was sick days. This was on LI, though I don't see why they'd force him to come back in the beginning of the semester if others don't have to.