new job as a new nurse and I am 11 weeks pregnant, Tell them now or wait?

[cgilmour26]

I recently started a new job in a LTC facility as a new graduate and I am currently 11 weeks pregnant. Im not sure if I should tell them now or wait until I start to show? I am not a tiny girl so I could probably get away with it until at least after my probationary period (90 days) but by then I will be almost 6 months. I really need this job and I dont want them to "find a reason to fire me" right after I tell them about the pregnancy. Any advice or similar situation and outcomes?

[himilayaneyes]

What I suggest is that you say nothing for now. Pass your 90 day probation, then get FMLA. Once you get FMLA put in for your maternity leave. They can't fire you for being pregnant..that's discrimination..but you still need the FMLA to protect your job if you want to take significant time off...like a month or more.

[cgilmour26]

Well in our facility handbookit says until your there for at least 12 months then you can only take off a maximum of 30 days for a medical reason (ie childbirth). Is there a law saying you get longer for maternity? I live in FL and I dont know if it varies buy state.

[CiaMia, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Congratulations on the job!! :)

How long do you plan on taking off when the time comes..? Maybe that would be a factor in deciding how soon to tell them, so they can do whatever needs to be done in terms of staffing. :)

I could be wrong, or maybe it's different in different states, but I think I read in this tread (New Grad RN, 17 weeks pregnant with upcoming interview - Nursing for Nurses) that FMLA kicks in after a year?

[anonymous1919, LPN]

I don't believe it varies by state... I would tell them after the 90 day period, and take your 6 weeks when you have your baby, and hopefully afterwards you'll still have a job. You could sue if they fired you after you told them you we're pregnant. It would be too obvious. But if you legit do something wrong, and have told them you were pregnant, and got fired, it wouldn't fly in court.

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

I googled Florida maternity leave laws. Lots of info, check it out:

Google

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'd wait until after your probationary period ends.

[HHRNurse]

I would wait until the end of the 90 day period and when you tell them you can act like you just found out. A lot of women with irregular periods don't know they are pregnant until they start feeling movement. Good Luck in your career and with your new baby.

[AprilRNurse]

What I suggest is that you say nothing for now. Pass your 90 day probation, then get FMLA. Once you get FMLA put in for your maternity leave. They can't fire you for being pregnant..that's discrimination..but you still need the FMLA to protect your job if you want to take significant time off...like a month or more.

You have to be an employee for 1 year to qualify for FMLA.

I would tell them- but also tell them you plan to return to work, and plan to work hard both before and after delivery of your child.

[AprilRNurse]

Well in our facility handbookit says until your there for at least 12 months then you can only take off a maximum of 30 days for a medical reason (ie childbirth). Is there a law saying you get longer for maternity? I live in FL and I dont know if it varies buy state.

FMLA is a federal thing, it doesn't qualify you until a year, but it should be more than 30 days. I thought it was 3 months.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act) is a federal law. It can provide you with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from your job per year.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm

You will not be eligible for FMLA with this pregnancy, however, because you will not have worked for your employer for at least 12 months.

How much time you take off during the pregnancy and after you have your baby will likely be impacted by the (likely) small amount of sick/vacation/personal time off you will have accrued to that point. I'd dig out your employee handbook immediately and see if there is any policy on unpaid leave and what the requirements are.

Good luck to you.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

As the others have pointed out, you are not eligible for FMLA regardless. In my opinion I think you should tell them now. I think by telling them now you come across the better person because if you waiting 90 days it looks like you are hiding it and that won't make you look good in their eyes. Telling them now also gives them a chance to prepare for the absence.

There are also considerations they need to make as well. For instance, they may factor in the time, effort, and resources it takes to hire someone new and train them. They might also have to pay out for unemployment if they chose to let you go.

Good Luck!