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MrsS1231
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/15 495 total posts
Name:
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
If your office does not have an HR department, how did you bring up maternity leave?
As far as I know, the last person who was pregnant in my office was 13 years ago, she had twins so she knew she was not coming back. The one before that is now 24 years old. The lady still works here but I do not feel right asking her questions before I let my bosses know I’m pregnant.
Has anyone been in a similar situation?
Did you have a list of questions for when you broke the news? (I still have not told my job)
I started a list of questions:
What is you maternity leave policy?
Any Salary Continuation?
How much
How long
FMLA How long? 12 weeks
Paperwork
Any bonding time?
State DBL
Length 6 weeks?
Is the amount 170 or more?
Is it possible to get more?
Waiting period?
Could I possibly start accruing comp time by working thru lunches or coming in early?
What if I want to come back later than 12 weeks starting in the new year?
Would I be able to come back P/T or work from home for a few weeks to adjust?
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Posted 4/15/15 4:12 PM  |
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dlj97
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 4399 total posts
Name:
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Do you not have any written policy? I would probably ease into the discussion - does your company have more than 50 employees? If not, they may not be required to hold your job for 12 weeks. I would let them know you are pregnant and just ask what the maternity leave policy is. I would worry about working from home and working through lunches later. Are you hourly or salaried?
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| Posted 4/15/15 4:38 PM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Even without an HR dept, someone or some outside company has to handle benefits, payroll, etc. That's who you need to talk to.
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| Posted 4/15/15 4:41 PM |
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alexb
LIF Adult
Member since 5/13 960 total posts
Name:
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
I worked for a company that didnt have an HR department/less than 50 employees when i was pregnant with my first. My two bosses actually initiated the topic and told me point blank- no pay and 8 weeks leave. I negotiated to work two days from home though (after having my son). I did receive disability but cant remember the amount because the checks always came late... Good luck with your talk as its not an easy one to have.
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| Posted 4/15/15 10:03 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
My job doesn't have HR and we only have about 15 employees. When preg w/ #1, they just sent me the form to apply for short term disability. I could have taken as much time as I wanted but was only getting paid what disability pays ($170 max/week) unless I used sick/vacation time. They messed up and I ended up getting paid a full salary and didn't lose all of my PTO and they didn't make me pay it back but I had to go back after 5 weeks. I never ended up filing for disability.
This time around, I was told that I will only get paid for whatever vacation/sick time I have and then after that just disability.
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| Posted 4/15/15 10:10 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
My job doesn't have HR and we only have about 15 employees. When preg w/ #1, they just sent me the form to apply for short term disability. I could have taken as much time as I wanted but was only getting paid what disability pays ($170 max/week) unless I used sick/vacation time. They messed up and I ended up getting paid a full salary and didn't lose all of my PTO and they didn't make me pay it back but I had to go back after 5 weeks. I never ended up filing for disability.
This time around, I was told that I will only get paid for whatever vacation/sick time I have and then after that just disability and again I can take as much time as I want, within reason, but I won't be getting paid beyond my PTO unless i file for disability and that's only for 6 weeks.
I also have job security b/c my dad is a partner at the firm so I don't have to worry about my job being taken away.
Message edited 4/15/2015 10:11:35 PM.
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| Posted 4/15/15 10:10 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Message edited 4/16/2015 11:03:04 AM.
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| Posted 4/15/15 10:10 PM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
How big is your company? There are certain qualifications for FMLA.
Most companies do not offer any paid maternity leave. You are able to use vacation and sick time though.
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| Posted 4/16/15 8:16 AM |
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MrsS1231
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/15 495 total posts
Name:
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
No written policy
No employee handbook
No outside company - In house bookkeepers do our checks (we don’t even have direct deposit)
Only 6 ee’s but they have offered FMLA to people within the past few years.
I’m salary
I have 2 weeks vacation and 3-5 sick days
They offer state STD but won’t increase from the $170
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| Posted 4/16/15 10:37 AM |
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MrsS1231
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/15 495 total posts
Name:
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
I also had no raise this year so I was hoping maybe I could negotiate some more PTO but not sure if I should bring that up before or after I mention I'm pregnant.
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| Posted 4/16/15 10:42 AM |
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ISpoilHim
I think I got this
Member since 11/10 1523 total posts
Name:
K
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
I believe that any company with less than 50 employees does not qualify for FMLA. The company may hold the job for you (that is all FMLA really does) but that is their choice and has nothing to do with FMLA.
We don't have an HR dept either. When an HR issue comes up, I mostly handle it. When I was pregnant, I spoke to my boss (company owner) and worked everything out. Speak to your direct supervisor and if that is no help, go to the owner.
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| Posted 4/16/15 2:07 PM |
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MrsS1231
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/15 495 total posts
Name:
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Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Owners are supervisors! Two older guys, not very personable. I'm sure I'm over-reacting but I'm nervous to tell them. I'm waiting for my 20 week scan.
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| Posted 4/16/15 4:40 PM |
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mrsm-2011
He is my world!
Member since 6/12 3009 total posts
Name:
Theresa
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Re: Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Posted by MrsS1231
No written policy
No employee handbook
No outside company - In house bookkeepers do our checks (we don’t even have direct deposit)
Only 6 ee’s but they have offered FMLA to people within the past few years.
I’m salary
I have 2 weeks vacation and 3-5 sick days
They offer state STD but won’t increase from the $170
$170 a week is the max the state gives (I know it's disgusting), the company you work for doesn't control that amount.
Message edited 4/16/2015 4:46:08 PM.
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| Posted 4/16/15 4:45 PM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Posted by MrsS1231
Owners are supervisors! Two older guys, not very personable. I'm sure I'm over-reacting but I'm nervous to tell them. I'm waiting for my 20 week scan.
Do you plan to return to work? Who will do your job while you are out? If you are able to organize all of this, I am sure they will be accommodating.
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| Posted 4/17/15 8:09 AM |
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MrsS1231
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/15 495 total posts
Name:
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Re: Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Posted by mrsm-2011
Posted by MrsS1231
No written policy
No employee handbook
No outside company - In house bookkeepers do our checks (we don’t even have direct deposit)
Only 6 ee’s but they have offered FMLA to people within the past few years.
I’m salary
I have 2 weeks vacation and 3-5 sick days
They offer state STD but won’t increase from the $170
$170 a week is the max the state gives (I know it's disgusting), the company you work for doesn't control that amount.
Actually if you have private STD it can be increased.
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| Posted 4/17/15 11:37 AM |
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MrsS1231
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/15 495 total posts
Name:
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Re: Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Posted by Cheeks24
Do you plan to return to work? Who will do your job while you are out? If you are able to organize all of this, I am sure they will be accommodating.
Yes I want to come back. There are only 2 of us in the department. Usually we cover for each other if out on vacation, I'm not sure about long term. I mentioned a temp but she's afraid if they get temps for cheaper, they'll eventually not want to pay us.
The other girl is going away for her 5th anniversary and to renew her vows the week after I'm due. I know I have no control over when the baby comes but this worries me. There's no way we can have NO one in our department. (she figured out I'm pg, I didn't want to tell anyone before telling my bosses)
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| Posted 4/17/15 11:39 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: Maternity Leave with no HR Department
I work for a small firm with no HR department either. I can either go on STD and get paid the $170/week or if I want my salary, I have to exhaust my 4 weeks vacation and then I will work from home for the remaining 4 weeks.
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| Posted 4/17/15 12:21 PM |
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ISpoilHim
I think I got this
Member since 11/10 1523 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Posted by MrsS1231
Posted by Cheeks24
Do you plan to return to work? Who will do your job while you are out? If you are able to organize all of this, I am sure they will be accommodating.
Yes I want to come back. There are only 2 of us in the department. Usually we cover for each other if out on vacation, I'm not sure about long term. I mentioned a temp but she's afraid if they get temps for cheaper, they'll eventually not want to pay us.
The other girl is going away for her 5th anniversary and to renew her vows the week after I'm due. I know I have no control over when the baby comes but this worries me. There's no way we can have NO one in our department. (she figured out I'm pg, I didn't want to tell anyone before telling my bosses)
My advice would be to talk to the owners sooner than later. You work for a small company. They need to make arrangements. Especially if the other person in your department is planning to take time off around the same time.
I work for a small company too. There were only 2 of us in the office when I got pregnant. We hired someone who would cover me while I was out and then would be taking over the other woman's place so she could retire. Then DS was born 12 weeks early. Then my mom got cancer. I did not return to work for almost 9 months and when I did it was part time. Stuff happens and a company that you enjoy working for will work with you. You may be surprised by their response. In the meanwhile, don't get too worked up about how they may respond. You won't know until you talk to them.
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| Posted 4/17/15 1:33 PM |
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MrsS1231
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/15 495 total posts
Name:
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Re: Maternity Leave with no HR Department
Posted by ISpoilHim
Posted by MrsS1231
Posted by Cheeks24
Do you plan to return to work? Who will do your job while you are out? If you are able to organize all of this, I am sure they will be accommodating.
Yes I want to come back. There are only 2 of us in the department. Usually we cover for each other if out on vacation, I'm not sure about long term. I mentioned a temp but she's afraid if they get temps for cheaper, they'll eventually not want to pay us.
The other girl is going away for her 5th anniversary and to renew her vows the week after I'm due. I know I have no control over when the baby comes but this worries me. There's no way we can have NO one in our department. (she figured out I'm pg, I didn't want to tell anyone before telling my bosses)
My advice would be to talk to the owners sooner than later. You work for a small company. They need to make arrangements. Especially if the other person in your department is planning to take time off around the same time.
I work for a small company too. There were only 2 of us in the office when I got pregnant. We hired someone who would cover me while I was out and then would be taking over the other woman's place so she could retire. Then DS was born 12 weeks early. Then my mom got cancer. I did not return to work for almost 9 months and when I did it was part time. Stuff happens and a company that you enjoy working for will work with you. You may be surprised by their response. In the meanwhile, don't get too worked up about how they may respond. You won't know until you talk to them.
Thank you! I hope your mom is oK.
I plan on speaking to them after my next appointment which is on 5/4
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| Posted 4/17/15 4:41 PM |
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