LoveToKnow Pregnancy:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Pregnancy

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Mel, read our article Pregnant During Job Interviews for tips on how to handle this. If you are not yet showing, it's generally better to keep it to yourself until you've been offered the job. You want the employers to base their decision on you, not on your cir...stances. If you do get hired, you probably won't be eligible for any paid time off since you won't have been employed for a year but they might be willing to hold your job.

-- Contributed by: HollySwanson

Dear All, I becoming very frustrated. I was recently laid off from my job through no fault of mine. Though I very much want to find new employment I am afraid that they will not hold my job open for me while I'm taking maternity leave. Also what's to stop them from dismissing me for reason "Your just not a good fit here", even though this is just an excuse to get rid of me? I am ready and willing to work but I'm extremely frustrated because I feel I have no laws on my side as a pregnant women seeking employment and or newly employed. It's sad that it might be better for me to just admit my pregnancy during interviews and hope for a nice accomidating company that will hold my job open or not get hired and continue collecting unemployment until after my pregnancy is over. Any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: mel

D.,

although I think it's unreasonable and rude for your employer to request that you return to work a week after giving birth, it's sounds like they are within their legal limits. Since you have not worked for them for a year yet, they are not obligated to provide you with leave.

You might be able to get support from your local women's center or social services department. A social worker at the hospital should have contact info for them.

-- Contributed by: HollySwanson

I work for an apartment company in Maryland. I was hospitalized for a month due to complications of pregnancy. I had the baby two weeks ago by emergency section. My employer have requested I return to work a week later. I have not received my six weeks check up and my child was born at seven months. The doctor stated the baby cannot attend daycare at this time. I have worked for this company for nine months. If I do not return to work they stated I will no longer have a job. Please inform me about my rights in reference to my maternity leave. Thanks.

-- Contributed by: D.watson

Rob,

Although it would be ideal for a woman to enjoy her maternity leave as a chance to bond with her baby without worrying about work related concerns, I am unaware of any laws that forbid an employer from contacting a woman during maternity leave. In fact, some women have reported being asked to complete a Performance Review While on Maternity Leave.

Dana Hinders

LoveToKnow Group Editor

-- Contributed by: Danahinders

Can an employer contact you about work related issues during maternity leave?

-- Contributed by: rob

New Mom,

I think postpartum depression would qualify you for the short term disability, but only if it's do...ented by a doctor and you are being actively treated for it. Your human resource manager can probably answer that better, or you may be able to talk with a benefits consultant in your area.

-- Contributed by: HollySwanson

I work for Wachovia Bank in NC & the short term disability (STD) policy states that if you are employed 90 days- 2 years, that you qualify for up to 26 weeks of STD. However, you must medically qualify to take up to the 26 weeks. Typically they say you can be out for 6 weeks for a vaginal birth or 8 weeks for a Cesarian birth. They will pay you 100% of your salary for the first 2 weeks, and then 60% of your salary thereafter. All of your benefits will remain intact for the duration of the disability period. I am wondering if I were to have postpartum depression if I would "medically" qualify to be out longer than the typical 6-8 weeks...

-- Contributed by: New Mom NC
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