I'm 13 weeks pregnant and just found out my company offers only two weeks of unpaid maternity leave.

Mystery Woman

Tell us more for better jobs, advice
and connections

Don’t miss out on new opportunities.

Update your profile

YOUR TOPICS

Your feed isn’t personalized yet. Follow topics like career advice, lifestyle or health.

YOUR GROUPS

Discover and join groups with like-minded women who share your interests, profession, and lifestyle.

COMPANIES YOU FOLLOW

Get alerted when there are new employee reviews.

YOUR JOB ALERTS

Get notified when new jobs are posted.

Your post is published!

Anonymous

01/04/21 at 4:41PM UTC

I'm 13 weeks pregnant and just found out my company offers only two weeks of unpaid maternity leave.

I don't know what to do. I have to have a c section, so the recovery alone will take 6-8 weeks. I am not sure if I should quit now and try to find another job or plan to quit a few weeks before I have the baby. Shold I look for contract work? Has anyone else been forced out of a job by a terrible maternity policy. How did you handle it?

9 Comments

Revonna Marie

Senior Industrial Hygienist

01/04/21 at 5:21PM UTC

Speak to HR and find out if you are eligible for FMLA.

1 Reply

Anonymous

01/04/21 at 6:39PM UTC

Unfortunately, because we are a small company FMLA doesn't apply. :(

Anonymous

01/04/21 at 5:53PM UTC

A C-section is considered surgery and you get more time to recover from that. Still not a lot of time, but you'll have more. Also, talk with your doctor, many of them are good at documenting health issues so that they fall under the C-section time frame.

Mary Addison

HRBP in Houston

01/04/21 at 6:06PM UTC

From what I've seen typically a doctor will sign you out of work for 8 weeks following a C Section - this should be covered by any sick leave policy that your company has. The same as if you were having any type of necessary surgery or medical procedure. FMLA is a US act that requires employers to offer employees who meet certain conditions at least 12 weeks of leave per year (it doesn't need to be paid, but it offers certain job protections). It would cover your C Section as well as bonding time with the baby. Agree with the advice to talk to HR at your company .

Michelle Hannah

Marketing Director at EPG, Ltd.

01/04/21 at 6:16PM UTC

I agree with others about speaking to HR. In addition to sick benefits you may be able to use other paid time off benefits to supplement your leave. We are allowed to do that at my employer. We are not covered by FMLA due to our size (we have less than 10 employees). I wish you all the best in your pregnancy and recovery!

Anonymous

01/04/21 at 6:36PM UTC

All the responses above are great. The HR piece is important, since the C-section will be scheduled. If you have a short-term disability benefit, HR will be the gateway to the benefits provider. Generally there's paperwork you can and should complete in advance. This will calm your soul as your due date approaches! Wishing you and your little one good health and joy!

Anonymous

01/04/21 at 6:53PM UTC

You can also looking short term disability

Anonymous

01/04/21 at 8:19PM UTC

I worked at a really small company when I had my child. We too did not have any FMLA or any written HR policy on maternity since I was the only female in the team of 5 people. I was able to work with my boss to accommodate my situation. He gave me 6 weeks of paid maternity leave followed by work from home for a while. Speak to your boss, team and HR (if that exists), since you are a small team they may be able to accommodate.

Jennifer

01/05/21 at 1:42PM UTC

I hate to say it but most companies don't offer it anymore. My company only offers the 2 weeks because there are so many state funded (at least in NJ) programs that you can go out on. I am in HR and I have had employees go out on FMLA, which protects a job for you at the company and Short Term Disability. FMLA is unpaid but protects you and the company. They can't fire you while you are on FMLA. They have to hold A job for you, not necessarily YOUR job but I would make sure you can come back to your job and then Short Term Disability pays a % of your salary while you are out so you have money coming in. You take these at the same time in most states and you can add the 2 weeks the company offers. Talk to your HR and they should be able to give you all of the information you need.