Just gave birth two weeks ago and received an email that everyone from our company has been furloughed.

15 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 7,2024 at 1:38AM UTC

   Interview like you would at any job. No rush since it usually takes months to get an offer and onboard. By then your 12 weeks of leave would be over if you were to return to your old job.

2. AnonymousAugust 7,2024 at 1:58PM UTC

   Congratulations on the birth of your child.

   I'm sorry to hear of the furlough. Perhaps new things are on their way. Reach out to HR/Benefits - whomever they've designated to answer questions (it could be one of your provider companies). Then, run through your scenario. This will help you plan next steps in the time of your PFMLA.

   If you want, when you want, start interviewing. If interviewer asks why interviewing, say either because of furlough or because you're looking for something new.

   You can review FMLA guidelines too.

3. AnonymousAugust 8,2024 at 12:35PM UTC

   Check with HR - I believe sometimes PFMLA is paid by disability insurance and that might not be disrupted by the furlough if they’ve set it up that way. Otherwise, the furlough would override things.

4. maria roseAugust 8,2024 at 5:12PM UTC

   The reason why you won’t get both benefits is that both are considered a same/different type of government benefit which is neither is directly paid by your employer (Employers pay unemployment insurance and you pay a tax fee in your paycheck for PFMLA benefits—just like your FICA benefits. When it comes to government benefits that you are eligible to receive there’s no double dipping.

5. AnonymousAugust 10,2024 at 1:28PM UTC

   I'm sure you will get more info from HR

6. misskelleypAugust 10,2024 at 6:01PM UTC

   LOL, HR was probably furloughed too!

7. AnonymousAugust 10,2024 at 6:24PM UTC

   My company is a startup and did not have an in house HR dept, so I don’t even think we have access to them during the furlough.

8. AnonymousAugust 10,2024 at 3:50PM UTC

   I think in any situation maternity leave or not just apply for unemployment compensation and other possible open positions in any place available.

   there is not supposed to be any discrimination against any body. .

9. misskelleypAugust 10,2024 at 6:01PM UTC

   If the company has gone out of business, likely there is no health insurance, and no Cobra (if there's no plan, there's no Cobra!). That is a critical piece for you with a newborn, so if that's the case get on your state's health insurance marketplace and get coverage in place ASAP.

   If the Paid part of your FMLA was via a short term disability policy with the company you should call the insurance company. If it was through your state, then likely you will continue to be paid by the state.

   The issue with unemployment is that you are supposed to be "actively" looking for a job, which I'm not sure how you could do two weeks post-partum. On the other hand that's simple enough to fudge in the current market...

   Good luck to you. But get that health insurance coverage ASAP.

10. AnonymousAugust 10,2024 at 9:35PM UTC

    My dtr had something similar happen ONE WEEK prior to going out on maternity leave...because everyone in the small company was let go too, as the firm went out of business, she applied for unemployment. Her midwife wrote a letter saying she needed time off for post partum recovery, and the state accepted that letter for 8 weeks. Then, she had to demonstrate applying for jobs each week. TBH, that furlough was a blessing. She got unemployment for 5 mos...far better than the modest paid maternity leave she had planned for. Good luck!!!

11. Ellen Smith FaganAugust 11,2024 at 6:17PM UTC

    SSA czn help with great ideas and directions!

    Whatever else these days bring to you above all enjoy your baby! The rest is a nonevent!

    If your company representative, is not sitting down nicely with you and talking about it they're not good enough for you. so, no matter what find something better as soon as possible.

    Maternity leave is the right officially in America so that your SSA people help you could get that idea supported well for you and they can help you with new health insurance;

    if the current employer is taking such poor care of you it will be no loss to find someone new to do with !

    Start a little business of your own and rule the world it's yours!

12. Robertine WatsonAugust 12,2024 at 4:03PM UTC

    Hmmm.. That's pretty tough because with a furlough there is no obligation that you can even get FMLA pay. The only good thing with a furlough is that your job is secure and you can get back pay for the time you were on furlough. You have to read the policy on furlough that your organization should have in place. Verbiage should be clear on there.

13. Heather LordAugust 13,2024 at 6:04PM UTC

    Fmla is a leave type, not pay. You don't have to have a job to get paid benefits for pregnancy disability

14. Heather LordAugust 13,2024 at 6:03PM UTC

    What state are you located in

15. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 10:23PM UTC

    Massachusetts