Big changes could happen but should it ??

[Kimberly07]

Hi everyone,

First time posting on the website. Having a bit of a tough time making a career move.

Let me start off by saying I am an LPN of five years, always worked at LTC M-F 8A-4:30pm

I had been looking for a change in nursing, and landed an offer at a health clinic Mon-thurs 7:30am-5:30pm.

I am having a tough time with the move due to the fact that I just found out I'm six weeeks pregnant ! I am not sure if I'll be able to use a FMLA for my maternity leave with this new job. Also, I don't want to ask the HR because I am ONLY 6 weeks along ...

There are cons to working at my current job : no relief at times, pay freeze, unhappy patients and unhappy staff member.

The con with new job is the pregnancy issue, and the days r long ( but makes up for it by having Friday and weekends / holidays off )

what would you nurses do if you were me ? I need guidance and advice.

Thanks in advance !!!

[elkpark]

First thing to be aware of is that you need to have worked for your employer for a year in order to qualify for FMLA. You wouldn't qualify at a new employer in time to use FMLA for maternity leave. (Also, depending on the size of the clinic that has offered you a job, they may not offer FMLA. It's only required of employers that employ at least 50 employees.)

If your current employer offers FMLA and you've been working there full-time at least a year, you definitely qualify, so that may be your best bet despite the negatives of the job.

Congratulations and best wishes!

[Kimberly07]

FMLA is unpaid. Do you think it's worth it to go to the new employer ? Do they have the right not to take me back ?

[elkpark]

I know that FMLA is unpaid. But you are guaranteed the time off (unpaid) if the employer offers it and you meet the requirements.

Does who "have the right not to take (you) back"?

[babeinboots, MSN, NP, CNM]

Do your research first! What benefits does the new job offer? How long do you have to work at the new job before your benefits kick in? I was in similar situation when I was pregnant. I was working as a CNA at job A, no benefits but would get the 12 weeks unpaid because I had been there over a year. But I was offered a new grad position with another company. I ended up taking the new grad job and after only 90 days I was eligible for benefits and was able to get 4 months of paid maternity leave through short term disability (1 months before baby and 3 after delivery). Good luck!

[dishes, BSN, RN]

What kind of child care arrangements do you plan to have? Will you be using daycare? If so, do the local daycares cover long days? You will need extra coverage if you work at the clinic, but will only require standard coverage if you work at the LTC.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

FMLA is unpaid. Do you think it's worth it to go to the new employer ? Do they have the right not to take me back ?

You wouldn't qualify for FMLA at the new job, period. In order to qualify for FMLA, you need to have been at your job for at least a year and have worked 1250 hrs in the past 12 months. So, if you were to accept the new job and then go out on leave after delivering, yes they have every right to terminate your position and fill it with someone else, since you won't have qualified for FMLA.

It is possible that the employer may have a more generous leave policy than FMLA mandates but the only way to find that out is to ask HR or get your hands on the employee handbook.