planning ahead - using sick leave for last few weeks

[Anonymous]

You aren't sick, OP, you are pregnant. Stop cheating and lying.

[Anonymous]

Jesus. Cheating and lying?

I appreciate the reminder on why we'll never see mandatory paid maternity leave in this country. Resting up a bit before labor when you can barely walk is slacking and unacceptable!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

It HAS to be people who have only worked sedentary jobs who say stupid stuff about ladies who cannot do full duty till delivery day!!!

I'm currently winding down. At 39 weeks, I simply cannot walk six hours a day carrying mail. So I am on light duty, and have been for a few weeks since I started with contractions. Thankfully, the law is on my side and all my coworkers have been nothing but helpful and supportive. And in 12 weeks or so, I will be back doing my full job-the few weeks of light duty is just a blip in a long career.

I think some people just haven't a clue...

[Anonymous]

FYI, doesn't exactly help, but in California you are legally allowed to start maternity leave (and use sick leave if necessary) up to 4 weeks prior to your due date. In Hong Kong you are not allowed to week past 38 weeks.

This doesn't change DC policy, but it does indicate that all of those PPs criticizing OP are denying what other jurisdictions have put into law as being recognized reasons not to work.

[Anonymous]

Can't believe these PPs are for real. I am an attorney, and thus someone with a sedentary job, but think it's sensible to ramp down for a the physical reasons cited, but also because it would be extremely inconvenient for everyone involved to try to work until the last minute and run the risk of not finishing a brief or other project when you go into labor.

[Anonymous]

I have to say I agree with the attorney above. Some of these posters are so mean, petty, and unhelpful. I will work until due date just because I don't have enough leave saved up, but if I asked for unpaid leave a few weeks before my due date my boss and coworkers would be totally supportive. It has even been offered to me. I'm 28 weeks with a desk job and pregnancy is not a sickness but it is a condition that can be tiring and stressful and it requires you to take good care of yourself.

[Anonymous]

I am also an attorney, and I am here to say that sitting and typing was extremely uncomfortably for the last weeks! I feel for the mail lady who has it worse, of course, but a desk job has it's own physical stresses.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should give consideration to the inconveniences of pregnancy before getting pregnant. The mail lady has heavy mail pouch to carry, that is a different story. Sitting at your de d k when you can get up and move about any time you like, get over yourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should give consideration to the inconveniences of pregnancy before getting pregnant. The mail lady has heavy mail pouch to carry, that is a different story. Sitting at your de d k when you can get up and move about any time you like, get over yourselves.

Are you having a bad day or have you lost your mind? There is no reason to be so nasty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should give consideration to the inconveniences of pregnancy before getting pregnant. The mail lady has heavy mail pouch to carry, that is a different story. Sitting at your de d k when you can get up and move about any time you like, get over yourselves.

Nobody is asking for anything for free, troll. OP is asking about using sick leave, and many offices are perfectly understanding that the end stages of pregnancy people can be effectively, if not actually, disabled. I worked up until the end of my pregnancy, and I actually got a strong vibe from some of my colleagues that they would prefer me to be home resting versus waddling around. Certainly everyone who had young children encouraged me to go home and rest up!

Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should give consideration to the inconveniences of pregnancy before getting pregnant. The mail lady has heavy mail pouch to carry, that is a different story. Sitting at your de d k when you can get up and move about any time you like, get over yourselves.

Nobody is asking for anything for free, troll. OP is asking about using sick leave, and many offices are perfectly understanding that the end stages of pregnancy people can be effectively, if not actually, disabled. I worked up until the end of my pregnancy, and I actually got a strong vibe from some of my colleagues that they would prefer me to be home resting versus waddling around. Certainly everyone who had young children encouraged me to go home and rest up!

Good luck, OP.

You are asking, sometimes demanding, special treatment. We want equality in pay, but want special treatment for pregnancy, nursing, family friendly which means you can take off whenever you please to take care of your children. If I pay your salary, the job comes first or quit. Pregnancy is not a disease, it is not a disability.

[Anonymous]

The definition of disability is: "a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities"

Absolutely, I would argue, that pregnancy can constitute a disability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The definition of disability is: "a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities"

Absolutely, I would argue, that pregnancy can constitute a disability.

Then quit and stay home, go on welfare because I can guarantee you that you will not receive disability pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should give consideration to the inconveniences of pregnancy before getting pregnant. The mail lady has heavy mail pouch to carry, that is a different story. Sitting at your de d k when you can get up and move about any time you like, get over yourselves.

Nobody is asking for anything for free, troll. OP is asking about using sick leave, and many offices are perfectly understanding that the end stages of pregnancy people can be effectively, if not actually, disabled. I worked up until the end of my pregnancy, and I actually got a strong vibe from some of my colleagues that they would prefer me to be home resting versus waddling around. Certainly everyone who had young children encouraged me to go home and rest up!

Good luck, OP.

You are asking, sometimes demanding, special treatment. We want equality in pay, but want special treatment for pregnancy, nursing, family friendly which means you can take off whenever you please to take care of your children. If I pay your salary, the job comes first or quit. Pregnancy is not a disease, it is not a disability.

No one is asking to "take off whenever they please." The attitude of "the job comes first or quit" is the line of thinking that forces bright, talented, trained, and eductated women out of the workforce. Evey other industrialized nation has realized that this is a course of action that sets you back as a country and a culture, not forward. Pregnancy, childbearing, and nursing are facts of life. They are necessary fuctions for the survival of our entire species, and it is women who perform this function. It is completely reasonable that accommodation for these conditions be made to support the health and well-being of the mother, the baby, and the family. It IS special treatment because the condition is special, and we don't have the tools, protections, or laws in this country to accommodate this special condition, forcing the OP and countless others to forums like this to brainstorm the alternatives available, like disability. Stop picking on the OP for asking for guidance, or inferring that she is lazy or a welfare case.

[Anonymous]

OP, what is the telework policy? My employer said I can work from home if the last couple of weeks get uncomfortable, since I need to hold onto as much of my PTO as possible.

It seems to me it's understood that teleworking doesn't call for sitting in your home office for 8-9 hours straight.

I'm actually not concerned about sitting at my desk all day -- I'm more concerned about driving 40 mins each way, in my case. Not that I'd be up for a 20 min. metro trip plus walk, either.