Maternity Leave - may not return to work

[Anonymous]

I'm only 19 weeks, but am starting to think about maternity leave and am actually not sure if I will return to work or not. I work for the Federal government and was wondering how to handle the situation. If I plan to return after 3 months, but change my mind during those 3 months, what happens? I know I would get paid out for my annual leave anyways, but I wouldn't have gotten paid for my sick leave if I had just quit. Any suggestions / info? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Drain all your sick leave since Fed gov doesn't give paid maternity leave anyway. That way if you decide not to return on the expected return day at least you got a "paid" leave and not just giving up sick time. BTW that also works for Annual leave to. Iwould drain it all then not return if that was my plan since its your time you earned.

[Anonymous]

Depending on how much sick leave you have, you may not be entitled to drain it. You're technically only entitled to take sick leave for that portion of time during which you are actually recovering from the birth. This is normally 6 weeks for a vaginal birth, 8 weeks for a c-section. You can use annual leave or leave without pay for the remainder of your 12 weeks off (guaranteed by FMLA). Many agencies/offices allow you to take sick leave beyond that, but you're not entitled to do so. So keep that in mind. They may be more likely to stick to that rule if they get wind that you don't plan to come back.

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, DO NOT hint/imply/state that you might not come back. Make it sound like something you decided "all of a sudden" after your maternity leave was over. You thought you'd be fine leaving your child and were shocked to find out that you just "couldn't bear it" or something like that.

It sounds dishonest, but this is how things work!

[Anonymous]

You should definitely talk to your HR person to get specifics.

For me:
I thought I was being sneaky and "beating the system" by putting in my two weeks notice at the last two weeks of my maternity leave. What I failed to realize is that I physically had to work those last two weeks of my two week notice...otherwise I had to pay back the health insurance, benefits, etc. So, my DH took two weeks off from his job so I could go in and work my "two weeks" and called it quits.

No regrets. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my DD and have no regrets. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

You have already received good advice about sick leave, annual leave, etc. My advice would be to go on maternity leave and see how you feel. Keep your options open. At this point you may feel that you may not want to go back. You may also find that after 12 weeks of maternity leave, you can't wait to return to work. Or you may decide that you can't face leaving your new baby and will stay home. My experience was that this is an enormous life change and it's hard to predict what you are going to want and need to do after your baby is born. For instance, I knew that I would come back to work part time, but I didn't know how part time. At first I said 30 hours, then 25, and finally 20. I am fortunate to have a job and managers where this is possible. Again, keep your options open. Go on maternity leave and then decide what is best for your and your new family. Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

When I left the federal government (sadly) I lost out on over 300 hours of sick leave (as they wouldn't let me take time off prior to leaving) and left b/c we were moving.... so USE YOUR SICK TIME FIRST. As for the Annual leave, they paid me for that $$$$. You don't lose our Annual leave. If you put in a last day of work- using all your sick time, but not annual, you'll get paid $$$ for your annual.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP's advice to keep your options open. My friend felt 100 percent sure she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but after 6 months, she is itching to go back to work. It's hard to know how you'll feel till you're in the situation. I myself have changed my mind a few times already! (-:

Given the pathetic maternity/family leave benefits in this country compared with Europe, I would not feel guilty at all about draining your sick time.

[Anonymous]

If you do leave, and you still have sick leave remaining, I think you'll get it back if you every go back to govt.

My agency was generous with leave--up to 6 months no questions asked, and most directors would let you stay out even longer. I decided not to go back and had to repay my portion of the health insurance premiums when I separated.

[Anonymous]

Yes, if you resign from a federal government job and then return later, your sick leave balance, if there is one, will be reinstated.

If you decide you don't want to return to work as you near the end of your maternity leave, you may consider requesting a one-year leave of absence rather than resigning. Not sure whether such requests are routinely granted; it probably depends on department/agency, the nature of your work and your performance, whether you're covered by a union, etc.

[Anonymous]

If you think you may ever need those folks for a reference, be sure you find a way to handle your departure that doesn't unduly burden anyone.