Parental leave at a new job

[Anonymous]

If you started a job while you were pregnant (ie gave birth before working there for 12 months), how did you handle parental leave? Were you still offered leave and it was unpaid? Or were you refused leave altogether?

We're TTC and I was just offered a job. I'm not currently working. All the potential employer has told me about parental leave is that eligible employees can take leave under DCFMLA. If I got pregnant now, I obviously won't have been there a year, so I wouldn't qualify.

I'm not sure whether I should ask HR about how they handle parental leave when employees haven't been there a year? Maybe it's what I have to do, but it feels kind of icky that I have to essentially admit to some random HR person that I'm hoping/trying to have another kid in the next 12 months. I don't really want to wait until I start the job to have this conversation, because I don't want to be in a position where they tell me that I can't take leave, or that I have to burn my PTO (which would be a few weeks).

[Anonymous]

There's no guarantee you'll conceive right away/before you reach the 12 mon mark with your job.

Deal with the details (PTO, STD, DH can take paternity leave, etc) and cross the bridge when you get there.

And honesty, does it matter at this very early juncture? Are you seriously going to decline a job offer simply bc they may or may not offer time off for maternity for newbs?

Take the job! You're nor even employed right now so at least get a job. Start there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you started a job while you were pregnant (ie gave birth before working there for 12 months), how did you handle parental leave? Were you still offered leave and it was unpaid? Or were you refused leave altogether?

We're TTC and I was just offered a job. I'm not currently working. All the potential employer has told me about parental leave is that eligible employees can take leave under DCFMLA. If I got pregnant now, I obviously won't have been there a year, so I wouldn't qualify.

I'm not sure whether I should ask HR about how they handle parental leave when employees haven't been there a year? Maybe it's what I have to do, but it feels kind of icky that I have to essentially admit to some random HR person that I'm hoping/trying to have another kid in the next 12 months. I don't really want to wait until I start the job to have this conversation, because I don't want to be in a position where they tell me that I can't take leave, or that I have to burn my PTO (which would be a few weeks).

Those are your benefits - they’ve told you they don’t have a standalone parental leave benefit. Once eligible, you would receive the paid benefit and the rest unpaid but protected by DCFMLA. In DC you cannot be forced to use your PTO for the unpaid time of DCFMLA.

I agree with the PP. You don’t have a job and aren’t pregnant. Stop worrying about something that doesn’t yet exist. If you otherwise like this job take it. You’re unemployed- can you continue to be and keep looking while continuing to TTC? Most employers won’t extend their paid benefits before an employee has been at the company for 1 year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you started a job while you were pregnant (ie gave birth before working there for 12 months), how did you handle parental leave? Were you still offered leave and it was unpaid? Or were you refused leave altogether?

We're TTC and I was just offered a job. I'm not currently working. All the potential employer has told me about parental leave is that eligible employees can take leave under DCFMLA. If I got pregnant now, I obviously won't have been there a year, so I wouldn't qualify.

I'm not sure whether I should ask HR about how they handle parental leave when employees haven't been there a year? Maybe it's what I have to do, but it feels kind of icky that I have to essentially admit to some random HR person that I'm hoping/trying to have another kid in the next 12 months. I don't really want to wait until I start the job to have this conversation, because I don't want to be in a position where they tell me that I can't take leave, or that I have to burn my PTO (which would be a few weeks).

Those are your benefits - they’ve told you they don’t have a standalone parental leave benefit. Once eligible, you would receive the paid benefit and the rest unpaid but protected by DCFMLA. In DC you cannot be forced to use your PTO for the unpaid time of DCFMLA.

I agree with the PP. You don’t have a job and aren’t pregnant. Stop worrying about something that doesn’t yet exist. If you otherwise like this job take it. You’re unemployed- can you continue to be and keep looking while continuing to TTC? Most employers won’t extend their paid benefits before an employee has been at the company for 1 year.

OP here - yes, I can continue to be unemployed. DH makes enough that it's not an issue. I left my job less than a year ago because I needed the time to take care of some family stuff. Now that i'm looking again, I'm not super worried about getting other offers if I turn this one down, since I have other irons in the fire. I have recruiters reaching out to me, have a strong network, etc.

I totally get that most employers don't extend their parental leave benefits to people who haven't been there for a year, but obviously people get pregnant/have babies all the time, and they haven't all been with their employers for a year. I asked this question because I'm curious what other people in the same situation have done. That's all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you started a job while you were pregnant (ie gave birth before working there for 12 months), how did you handle parental leave? Were you still offered leave and it was unpaid? Or were you refused leave altogether?

We're TTC and I was just offered a job. I'm not currently working. All the potential employer has told me about parental leave is that eligible employees can take leave under DCFMLA. If I got pregnant now, I obviously won't have been there a year, so I wouldn't qualify.

I'm not sure whether I should ask HR about how they handle parental leave when employees haven't been there a year? Maybe it's what I have to do, but it feels kind of icky that I have to essentially admit to some random HR person that I'm hoping/trying to have another kid in the next 12 months. I don't really want to wait until I start the job to have this conversation, because I don't want to be in a position where they tell me that I can't take leave, or that I have to burn my PTO (which would be a few weeks).

Those are your benefits - they’ve told you they don’t have a standalone parental leave benefit. Once eligible, you would receive the paid benefit and the rest unpaid but protected by DCFMLA. In DC you cannot be forced to use your PTO for the unpaid time of DCFMLA.

I agree with the PP. You don’t have a job and aren’t pregnant. Stop worrying about something that doesn’t yet exist. If you otherwise like this job take it. You’re unemployed- can you continue to be and keep looking while continuing to TTC? Most employers won’t extend their paid benefits before an employee has been at the company for 1 year.

OP here - yes, I can continue to be unemployed. DH makes enough that it's not an issue. I left my job less than a year ago because I needed the time to take care of some family stuff. Now that i'm looking again, I'm not super worried about getting other offers if I turn this one down, since I have other irons in the fire. I have recruiters reaching out to me, have a strong network, etc.

I totally get that most employers don't extend their parental leave benefits to people who haven't been there for a year, but obviously people get pregnant/have babies all the time, and they haven't all been with their employers for a year. I asked this question because I'm curious what other people in the same situation have done. That's all!

OP again - and to clarify further, this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker. But it does matter, so why not ask the peanut gallery at DCUM.

[Anonymous]

I was in this situation 2 years ago at the start of pandemic - took a job and must have conceived about 10 days prior to start date. I was panicked about my job not being protected and what they would do but they didn’t even mention any of that. They simply honored their parental leave policy. It costs so much to hire and train and as long as you’re a good fit n the role, place; I see no reason, especially in this job market, they wouldn’t just be happy to keep you happy

[Anonymous]

I found out I was pregnant the same day I was offered a position. Worked 5 months and then out 19 weeks on leave (going back to work in 2 days). Was not eligible for Fmla or dcfmla but was eligible for dc paid leave and my workplace 12 week paid leave. So I basically did short term disability for 6 weeks and then got paid from dc and my job. My leave wasn’t job protected but I don’t think it wouldn’t looked good for them to let go a pregnant woman…not quite good PR wise….I basically got paid for 18 weeks after only working 5 months

[Anonymous]

They have to give you fmla, anything else you probably wouldn’t get first year. Maybe Just wait a couple years to get a job if you’re going to be wrapped up in having babies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They have to give you fmla, anything else you probably wouldn’t get first year. Maybe Just wait a couple years to get a job if you’re going to be wrapped up in having babies.

Nope. The company must qualify and the employee must meet the 1 year requirement.

[Anonymous]

If it was me, I would pause on TTC for a few months so you can make it past a year (typically when maternity benefits kick in).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you started a job while you were pregnant (ie gave birth before working there for 12 months), how did you handle parental leave? Were you still offered leave and it was unpaid? Or were you refused leave altogether?

We're TTC and I was just offered a job. I'm not currently working. All the potential employer has told me about parental leave is that eligible employees can take leave under DCFMLA. If I got pregnant now, I obviously won't have been there a year, so I wouldn't qualify.

I'm not sure whether I should ask HR about how they handle parental leave when employees haven't been there a year? Maybe it's what I have to do, but it feels kind of icky that I have to essentially admit to some random HR person that I'm hoping/trying to have another kid in the next 12 months. I don't really want to wait until I start the job to have this conversation, because I don't want to be in a position where they tell me that I can't take leave, or that I have to burn my PTO (which would be a few weeks).

Those are your benefits - they’ve told you they don’t have a standalone parental leave benefit. Once eligible, you would receive the paid benefit and the rest unpaid but protected by DCFMLA. In DC you cannot be forced to use your PTO for the unpaid time of DCFMLA.

I agree with the PP. You don’t have a job and aren’t pregnant. Stop worrying about something that doesn’t yet exist. If you otherwise like this job take it. You’re unemployed- can you continue to be and keep looking while continuing to TTC? Most employers won’t extend their paid benefits before an employee has been at the company for 1 year.

OP here - yes, I can continue to be unemployed. DH makes enough that it's not an issue. I left my job less than a year ago because I needed the time to take care of some family stuff. Now that i'm looking again, I'm not super worried about getting other offers if I turn this one down, since I have other irons in the fire. I have recruiters reaching out to me, have a strong network, etc.

I totally get that most employers don't extend their parental leave benefits to people who haven't been there for a year, but obviously people get pregnant/have babies all the time, and they haven't all been with their employers for a year. I asked this question because I'm curious what other people in the same situation have done. That's all!

Employers have policies that apply to all employees. If you do not meet the qualifications why should you get special treatment? It sounds as though you work as a hobby and not as a career or need the money. I would never hire you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you started a job while you were pregnant (ie gave birth before working there for 12 months), how did you handle parental leave? Were you still offered leave and it was unpaid? Or were you refused leave altogether?

We're TTC and I was just offered a job. I'm not currently working. All the potential employer has told me about parental leave is that eligible employees can take leave under DCFMLA. If I got pregnant now, I obviously won't have been there a year, so I wouldn't qualify.

I'm not sure whether I should ask HR about how they handle parental leave when employees haven't been there a year? Maybe it's what I have to do, but it feels kind of icky that I have to essentially admit to some random HR person that I'm hoping/trying to have another kid in the next 12 months. I don't really want to wait until I start the job to have this conversation, because I don't want to be in a position where they tell me that I can't take leave, or that I have to burn my PTO (which would be a few weeks).

Those are your benefits - they’ve told you they don’t have a standalone parental leave benefit. Once eligible, you would receive the paid benefit and the rest unpaid but protected by DCFMLA. In DC you cannot be forced to use your PTO for the unpaid time of DCFMLA.

I agree with the PP. You don’t have a job and aren’t pregnant. Stop worrying about something that doesn’t yet exist. If you otherwise like this job take it. You’re unemployed- can you continue to be and keep looking while continuing to TTC? Most employers won’t extend their paid benefits before an employee has been at the company for 1 year.

OP here - yes, I can continue to be unemployed. DH makes enough that it's not an issue. I left my job less than a year ago because I needed the time to take care of some family stuff. Now that i'm looking again, I'm not super worried about getting other offers if I turn this one down, since I have other irons in the fire. I have recruiters reaching out to me, have a strong network, etc.

I totally get that most employers don't extend their parental leave benefits to people who haven't been there for a year, but obviously people get pregnant/have babies all the time, and they haven't all been with their employers for a year. I asked this question because I'm curious what other people in the same situation have done. That's all!

Employers have policies that apply to all employees. If you do not meet the qualifications why should you get special treatment? It sounds as though you work as a hobby and not as a career or need the money. I would never hire you

I’m actually laughing out loud. Wild assumptions, check; extreme condescension, check; a little bit of good old fashioned misogyny, check. Every time I post on DCUM I assume I’ll get some of this, but not necessarily all in post! Well done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you started a job while you were pregnant (ie gave birth before working there for 12 months), how did you handle parental leave? Were you still offered leave and it was unpaid? Or were you refused leave altogether?

We're TTC and I was just offered a job. I'm not currently working. All the potential employer has told me about parental leave is that eligible employees can take leave under DCFMLA. If I got pregnant now, I obviously won't have been there a year, so I wouldn't qualify.

I'm not sure whether I should ask HR about how they handle parental leave when employees haven't been there a year? Maybe it's what I have to do, but it feels kind of icky that I have to essentially admit to some random HR person that I'm hoping/trying to have another kid in the next 12 months. I don't really want to wait until I start the job to have this conversation, because I don't want to be in a position where they tell me that I can't take leave, or that I have to burn my PTO (which would be a few weeks).

Those are your benefits - they’ve told you they don’t have a standalone parental leave benefit. Once eligible, you would receive the paid benefit and the rest unpaid but protected by DCFMLA. In DC you cannot be forced to use your PTO for the unpaid time of DCFMLA.

I agree with the PP. You don’t have a job and aren’t pregnant. Stop worrying about something that doesn’t yet exist. If you otherwise like this job take it. You’re unemployed- can you continue to be and keep looking while continuing to TTC? Most employers won’t extend their paid benefits before an employee has been at the company for 1 year.

OP here - yes, I can continue to be unemployed. DH makes enough that it's not an issue. I left my job less than a year ago because I needed the time to take care of some family stuff. Now that i'm looking again, I'm not super worried about getting other offers if I turn this one down, since I have other irons in the fire. I have recruiters reaching out to me, have a strong network, etc.

I totally get that most employers don't extend their parental leave benefits to people who haven't been there for a year, but obviously people get pregnant/have babies all the time, and they haven't all been with their employers for a year. I asked this question because I'm curious what other people in the same situation have done. That's all!

Employers have policies that apply to all employees. If you do not meet the qualifications why should you get special treatment? It sounds as though you work as a hobby and not as a career or need the money. I would never hire you

I’m actually laughing out loud. Wild assumptions, check; extreme condescension, check; a little bit of good old fashioned misogyny, check. Every time I post on DCUM I assume I’ll get some of this, but not necessarily all in post! Well done!

I love it when the truth hits a raw nerve! My job is done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I found out I was pregnant the same day I was offered a position. Worked 5 months and then out 19 weeks on leave (going back to work in 2 days). Was not eligible for Fmla or dcfmla but was eligible for dc paid leave and my workplace 12 week paid leave. So I basically did short term disability for 6 weeks and then got paid from dc and my job. My leave wasn’t job protected but I don’t think it wouldn’t looked good for them to let go a pregnant woman…not quite good PR wise….I basically got paid for 18 weeks after only working 5 months

Thanks, this is helpful! So you do qualify for DC paid leave even if you haven't been working somewhere a year? That's one thing I've been trying to figure out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it was me, I would pause on TTC for a few months so you can make it past a year (typically when maternity benefits kick in).

+1.