[babynurse06]

Hello all! I am currently 7.5 months pregnant! I currently work in the neonatal ICU and love my job but simply cannot handle the night shift anymore and after the baby is born I am going to need to find a day shift job to better accommodate with my husband's schedule so I was thinking of getting a new job after my maternity leave is over at a different hospital. Ideally I would just start the new job now but I don't know how that would work as far as maternity leave and healthcare etc. My question is can I quit my job after I get my 6 weeks paid maternity leave?? And is it even smart to start a new job and change health benefits etc. so close to after the baby is born?? I don't want to burn bridges where I work now either...but I also really need to do whats right for my family. Any advice would help. Thanks guys!

[mauxtav8r]

When I was pregnant, the human resources representative said "You earn benefits as you are able to use them. You are not obligated to stay after maternity leave."

So, in other words, it would be ok to turn in notice two weeks before the end of maternity leave and not return.

You earned the benefit of maternity leave. You are doing what is best for your family.

[ukstudent]

Have you talked to your HR department because I think you only get 2 weeks of pay at a reduced rate anyway on maternity, and that is only if you have worked there for at least a year prior to going out on it.

[RN and Mommy]

I changed jobs after my maternity leave with my first daughter. I waited until 2 weeks before I was supposed to come back and told my boss that I would not be returning to this position, but I would like to stay on as casual and I did work like 2 shifts as casual before I told her that I was quitting all together. Good luck!

[Crux1024]

Originally Posted by ukstudent

Have you talked to your HR department because I think you only get 2 weeks of pay at a reduced rate anyway on maternity, and that is only if you have worked there for at least a year prior to going out on it.

This is not correct. Federal Law (FEMLA) is 12 weeks of unpaid leave (you have to have worked there at least a year) & that saves your job for you, it does not require u to be paid..

My facility gives me so many hours every 2 weeks to go into a bank. I took 6 weeks off at full pay because that was all I had time in my bank to be paid for, I couldve taken the add'l 6 weeks at no pay, and still kept my job, but...lol..need to pay bills.

[babynurse06]

yes, I am in California and we get 6 weeks after the baby is born (8 weeks for C-section) paid either through state or employee disability so its a fraction of what you would usually make but still something. Then FEMLA does allow you to take up to 12 weeks off (including the 6 paid) to spend time with your baby and still keep your job, but the remaining six weeks is UN paid. I unfortunately need to have income coming in at all times so I will be taking the 6 weeks and then using my vacation time of two week after that...or just quiting after the six weeks and having my vacation paid out to me....or I could do what someone suggested and work casual, per diem until I am able to find another day job....I dunno why I stress so much at least i'm a nurse and have the flexibility!! Anyways thanks so much to those of you who already responded.

[Jolie]

Originally Posted by babynurse06

yes, I am in California and we get 6 weeks after the baby is born (8 weeks for C-section) paid either through state or employee disability so its a fraction of what you would usually make but still something. Then FEMLA does allow you to take up to 12 weeks off (including the 6 paid) to spend time with your baby and still keep your job, but the remaining six weeks is UN paid. I unfortunately need to have income coming in at all times so I will be taking the 6 weeks and then using my vacation time of two week after that...or just quiting after the six weeks and having my vacation paid out to me....or I could do what someone suggested and work casual, per diem until I am able to find another day job....I dunno why I stress so much at least i'm a nurse and have the flexibility!! Anyways thanks so much to those of you who already responded.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Please contact HR and ask for a copy of your hospital's FMLA policy and procedure. If you are an eligible employee (you have worked for your employer for at least 12 months and have logged at least 1000 hours of service), there are steps that you need to take in order to request your leave and to insure that your job will be available to you upon completion of your leave. If you do not return to your employer in a benefits-eligible position, and remain for at least 6 months after your leave, your employer has the legal right to bill you for the cost of the benefits provided to you during your leave. Not all employers do, but that can be a substantial amount of money, so if you don't intend to return to work after your leave, you need to plan accordingly. If you have benefits thru your husband's employer, you may want to opt out of your hospital's coverage rather than risk a hefty bill for repayment of benefits. It would be a good idea to schedule an appointment with HR to find out exactly what your options and responsibilities are.

Have a safe and uneventful delivery!

[shellsincanada]

God this depresses me. I am in Canada. We get 50 weeks paid for by employment insurance ( also when you get laid off or lose your job through no fault of your own) The rate is 55% of your basic pay and your job is guarenteed for the year. You can use these if you are the dad, the mom, or even if you adopt. Or you can each( mom and dad) take 35 weeks off together. Plus you can combine them so dad takes some and mom takes the rest etc... I can't believe you would be expected to return to work 6 weeks after having a baby!