Welp, ladies, I finally bit the bullet and sat down with my administrators to talk about leave. I'm slated to work my last day of this school year February 3rd. Three weeks from today! Aack!
We had to talk about the nitty gritty details of my leave, ie. would I get paid? Would my insurance premium be paid? etc...
Basically, I'm screwed because it is my first year at my new job. I've taught previously, but that doesn't matter, since it wasn't at this school. And did you know that FMLA only kicks in IF your employer hires more than 50 people AND you've been working at your place of employment for at least 12 months? Yeah, I didn't know that.
I asked about applying for disability coverage. The all agreed that I should apply for it. The catch? There is a 90 day waiting period after you've exhausted your sick days. So, if I can keep these babies cooking until... oh... the end of May, I'm golden. (yeah, not gunna happen)
And because it is my first year at this school, I've got a whole 7 sick days banked. I know, I know, be jealous. My admin team looked into what our state law says, and basically they are only required, by law, to give me 8 weeks off from work, unpaid and no insurance premium paid. However, my school is going to be nice and I can request an extended leave if I want, for 8 additional weeks. The only catch is that my insurance won't be paid by my employer during this time. I've got pretty good health insurance (now... I didn't at my last job) so the premium is going to be pretty high for the time I'm off of work.
But ya know what? I'm totally cool with it. If I can make it through the next three weeks with the peeps still chillin' out, then I can spend the rest of my time incubating until they are born. No more worrying about doing my job and takin' it easy at the same time (an oxymoron). Even if I am unpaid and I have to pay my insurance premium.
Side note: Viability is February 12th. Today the January 13th. The countdown is on.
Tough news but I suspect you two (soon five!) will make it work. You have persevered and made everything else work. Countdown, indeed. Cook babies, cook!
ReplyDeleteDid you ever confirm that it's two girls and a little boy?
Is it your choice or doctor's orders to stop working on Feb 3rd? I have my fingers crossed for you that Tic Tac & Toe stay cooking for many more weeks!
ReplyDeleteThe title of this post is probably the best title of a post I've ever seen. Your attitude about this is admirable and your plan sounds great! Cook, babies, cook!
ReplyDeleteTough break, but you're the mama and you make the rules for the littles. You are so close to viability and doing great so far!! I have no doubts that you and DH will work it out!!
ReplyDeleteUgghh, I am avoiding this conversation until the end of the month. Because I am an employment lawyer, I unfortunately knew about all the restrictions on FMLA etc... and have been aware from the get go that I'm covered by nothing. So, my conversation will essentially be me begging them to allow me to take unpaid leave for 8 weeks and return to work asap before they feel the need to hire a replacement. Very nervous indeed...
ReplyDeleteThat's such a frustrating situation. I've been at my current job for 3.5 years, but because I used up FMLA last year, I didn't have enough worked hours to qualify for it with my current pregnancy. Then, I got pulled out of work at 19 weeks after having my cerclage placed and being given restrictions. Thankfully, I'm allowed a 6 month unpaid pregnancy leave. However, if things go ok, I'll be out for more than six months after you figure up time after delivery. If I'm gone for more than 6 months, my job can be posted and I'd have to apply for a different position. I was upset when I heard this, but I really don't care. If this is what it takes to get my little one here safe and sound, that's all that really matters.
ReplyDeleteAs for the disability, my husband works for an insurance agency. If you haven't already been paying a premium for disability coverage, they will deny your pregnancy on any new coverage you apply for. Another crappy situation that we've run into.