Please Help Me

bellehill, RN · Mar 9, 2004

Are you a nurse?

sjoe · Mar 9, 2004

1) by clicking on the person's screen name you can select to see their profile and learn whatever they want others to know about them, including their credentials.

2) for the original question: what is your goal? to get your old or new employer to provide healthcare coverage for your pregnancy, and maternal leave afterwards? without their being the wiser when they hire/rehire you about what they are getting themselves into? something else?

lady_jezebel · Mar 10, 2004

I think you should choose the job that you will be happiest with in the long run, the one you want to keep after the child is born. Also think of practical issues -- which job pays the salary you need now? Which job is more flexible with scheduling? Do both offer healthcare, and coverage for the child? How long would it take for the healthcare to go into effect with the new job? Which has the best benefits? What does your gut tell you to do?

Think about yourself and the child now. Don't worry so much about how this will affect your employer, for they know pregnancies happen. People have families and outside lives, for goodness sakes! Legally, you are not required to inform either employer at this point -- so don't. Just choose the job you want, stay quiet about your pregnancy until it's obvious, and then give your employer advance notice about how much time you'll need to take off, and when.

jkaee · Mar 10, 2004

I pretty much agree with Lady jezebel....just a word of warning, though. At my last job, a nurse was hired and found out she was pregnant soon after she started. They told her after she had the baby that she could only be out for 2 weeks because she hadn't worked there for a full year, so she could not take all her time off (even though it wasn't paid time off). Now, I don't know if that was just a "corporate" move, or if all employers have the "right" to do that. I just wanted to let you know what I've seen happen.

Best wishes with your pregnancy and career.

Jennifer

Dixen81 · Mar 10, 2004

I agree with lady_jezebel and move forward (in the new job, since this is what you wanted anyway before you knew you were pregnant), and just keep quiet about it till it needs to be addressed. I would not ask for the old job back and am uncertain as to whether they would give it back now anyway. Good luck to you, and congratulations on the baby and the new job.

Jolie, BSN · Mar 10, 2004

I pretty much agree with Lady jezebel....just a word of warning, though. At my last job, a nurse was hired and found out she was pregnant soon after she started. They told her after she had the baby that she could only be out for 2 weeks because she hadn't worked there for a full year, so she could not take all her time off (even though it wasn't paid time off). Now, I don't know if that was just a "corporate" move, or if all employers have the "right" to do that. I just wanted to let you know what I've seen happen.
Best wishes with your pregnancy and career.
Jennifer

You are not obligated to inform your employer that you are pregnant, and I would not recommend doing so until it is absolutely necessary. As far as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, you may not qualify for leave per your employer's policy when your baby is due.

Federal law states that companies which employ a minimum number (I think it's 50 or 75) of workers at a given site must offer FML to benefits-eligible employees with a minimum of 1 year and 1000 hours of service. The leave consists of up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off, but the employer may require that you use whatever sick/personal/holiday time you have in your bank. They must offer you the same or a similar position upon your return at the same rate of pay. If you do not return to work in a benefits-eligible position at the conclusion of your leave, they can require you to repay the cost of your insurance and other benefits extended to you during your leave.

Now, that's the gist of the federal law, but employers have some leeway in drafting their own policies regarding its implementation. For example, some employers voluntarily offer FML to employees who are not technically eligible by federal standards. Some extend the leave period beyond 12 weeks. (I was lucky, my employer gave me 6 months, and did not require me to repay my insurance, even though I came back to work in a non-benefits position.)

So, the best thing to do is simply to request a written copy of your employer's FML policy. If you do this during orientation, I doubt that it would cause any raised eyebrows. Good luck to you! Hope you're feeling well!

CherryRN · Mar 10, 2004

Start your new job as planned, obviously you wanted to move on. Tell your new employer you are pregnant when appropriate.

You might not get a whole maternity leave, I'm not really sure.

Best of luck to you.

Cherry

purplemania, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2004

Being pregnant should not interfere with your decision. I believe the group ins. for the new employer has to cover your expenses just like any other employee. We have hired new grads who delivered 1-2 mos after being hired (barely trained). They came back in 6 weeks and jumped right in just like any other employee, although we extended their training period a while. Just choose the job you would want if you WERE NOT pregnant. BTW, I wish you a safe pregnancy and healthy MOM/BABY.

deniseS · Mar 16, 2004

Thanks so much for all your help and advice everyone...I really appreciate it ...

kimtab · Mar 17, 2004

Make sure your health coverage doesn't lapse, pay for COBRA if you have to before the new coverage kicks in. I am not sure if an insurance company would be lousy enough to call pregnancy a pre-existing condition but as long as you have been covered continuously they have to pay I believe.

Kim