Taking another job while I’m FMLA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you had a child before? If not, don't count on your ability or willingness to pull this off until the chickadee hatches. Oh the things I thought I would accomplish with "all that time" on maternity leave. lol.

I've known a few people who have gone back to work two weeks after giving birth, but only one of them wanted to. Everyone else had to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fraud for sure, but also, have you had a baby before? You are going to be kind of busy with the recovery from birth and the actual baby, no? Like, the 12 weeks after I gave birth was not a time when I was like "hey I need another job"

LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty sure this is fraud.

A quick google says “The FMLA does not prohibit an employee from working another job while on FMLA leave. However, FMLA regulation 825.216(e) states: "If the employer has a uniformly-applied policy governing outside or supplemental employment, such a policy may continue to apply to an employee while on FMLA leave.”

So, if op’s job allows for a second job, they may be fine.

[Anonymous]

If you’ll be paid maternity leave you’ll have to work at least 12 weeks at your federal job when you come back. So, would you quit the other job for that time and come back?

This plan seems so weird to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Working at a federal agency about to have a baby and considering taking and working another job when FMLA leave starts, not 100% sure I want the position outside the gov, but thought it’s a good shot to test the waters, what’s the good, bad, and ugly?

It may be technically legal I guess, but it begs the question, if you don't really need the leave from work for family/medical reasons, hen why not go back part time?

I know someone who did this years and years ago and any time their name comes up the people who know will badmouth them and certainly would still give a negative opinion if asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where will your newborn baby be while you are starting a new job? You’re going to have disrupted sleep for weeks on end….. why do this to yourself?

You won't be putting your best foot forward at that job and you'll be a mess. I'm pregnant with my third and will go back to work for 6 weeks after 6 weeks of mat leave because it's a very busy time for my team and my husband has 20 weeks of paternity leave (we also have a nanny) and can help. I'm also remote. I'll be taking a 16-17 week maternity leave on top of the initial 6 weeks when my baby is 12 weeks. I'm only going back for 6 weeks at 6 weeks. I expect it will be tough but my team is not expecting 100% from me and I've done this before. It's very different if your team is expecting 100% from you which would be the case if you are starting a new role. It's also very different if you're a firm time mom or even a second time mom.

I personally would not do this. You will experience the worst of everything.

[Anonymous]

I’m pretty sure OP is a man posting just to stir the pot.

[Anonymous]

You have to disclose it to Fed HR (AO).
Will husband or family be taking care of baby while you work?
PPD can be unexpected, how do you know you will be up for a new job? Emotionally, psychologically, and physically you may just not be up to it
Are you breast feeding or formula feeding? If the former you'll have to think of a pumping schedule to accomodate baby and the care provider
Generally speaking, this could be bad for your reputation. I know I'd side-eye someone who did this no matter if I was at the old org or the new

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m pretty sure OP is a man posting just to stir the pot.

PP, must be! I didn't even think of that smh.

This couldn't work with a mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’ll be paid maternity leave you’ll have to work at least 12 weeks at your federal job when you come back. So, would you quit the other job for that time and come back?

This plan seems so weird to me.

the penalty for not working 12 weeks after parental leave is repayment of all insurance premiums. otherwise, yeah, outside employment needs to be pre-cleared through ethics.

that said new babies need a LOT of time and attention. you wouldn't necessarily be committing fraud but you definitely would be cheating your new child of the attention and care that the parental leave benefit is designed to enable.