Federal Maternity Leave

[Anonymous]

Any idea how bed rest factors in? I am pregnant with twins and worried that if I have to go on bedrest for the last month, it will shorten by maternity leave by a month.

[Anonymous]

The "technical" rules in the fed. government aren't always followed. In my agency, it varies by business unit. I know my bosses were as flexible as I needed them to be. . . . thankfully.

[Anonymous]

To address the question about bed rest...

Yes i think you're fears are correct. If you had to go out on bed rest for a month, it would technically shorten your post-delivery time by the same amount. (You're out for a serious medical condition, therefore your FMLA time can start to run)

But, as others have said, just because the gov't has the right to do it doesnt' mean they will. Many managers are good people who will try to accomodate you.

[Anonymous]

LRP here. I guess I am just lucky in the way my agency interprets FMLA b/c everyone I have spoken with here and HR has said that you can take your accrued leave and then FMLA time. I am not taking anything that counts as FMLA time, but when I submitted my maternity leave plan my supervisor pointed out that I could add on that time as unpaid leave once I use up my STD and leave.

To the PP with a question about bed rest, since what some people think is gauranteed under FMLA and what some agencies allow employee to take is very different, I think the only place to get a reliable answer is from your own employer.

[Anonymous]

Agencies differ on how they apply the OPM guidelines. My agency lets you use any and all leave you have in whatever order you want to use it for maternity, meaning if you have 9 months of sick leave you are able to take it. Others follow much stricter guidelines. While I'm sure what ever person on this site tells you is accurrate per their experience, that does not mean it will fly at your agency. I encourage you to talk to other parents where you work about their experience.