Maternity Leave

I am almost 34 weeks now. My boss has been asking me how long I think I am going to be out for. (Side note, I am his bookkeeper and there are only 13 total people in the company.) I have been avoiding answering him mostly bc I know from having 3 children already, that you really can't tell until you have the baby. I don't know how the birth will go or if the baby will be required to stay at the hospital for whatever reasons. I have never had a c-section before and don't plan to this time, but sometimes emergencies happen where they are required. I would image that I would take longer than natural vaginal birth to recover from that?

Anyway, can someone please tell me what you think about this or if you have had a past experience that you can share with me.

I would tell him I plan on taking 6 weeks, however if something were to happen you might take up to 12 under the FMLA act.

Quoting Smartass *TTC*:" I would tell him I plan on taking 6 weeks, however if something were to happen you might take up to 12 under the FMLA act."

  

Quoting Smartass *TTC*:" I would tell him I plan on taking 6 weeks, however if something were to happen you might take up to 12 under the FMLA act."

She probably doesn't qualify for FMLA. Usually the employer must have at least 25 employees within a 50 mile radius.

Quoting loser mom:" She probably doesn't qualify for FMLA. Usually the employer must have at least 25 employees within a 50 mile radius. "

Yes, I think you're right. I honestly don't think I will even need the full six weeks out. I was in school when my last child was born. I had her over the Christmas holiday then went back when the semester started in Jan. My boss knows that, so now I think he is assuming that I am going to be coming to work asap with this child too. He made a comment yesterday that he wishes I would have the baby over the holiday and come back afterward. I just told him no that would be horrible. Then I would have 2 babies with birthdays close together. He asked me what I thought then about how long I will be out but I didn't give him an answer. He is a really nice man, so he isn't being a dick or anything. I just don't want to tell him 2 weeks when I will more than like take more time.

say 6 weeks without any complications. if something happens Ill let you know if I need to extend it.

My company only has 10 employees and I told my CEO Ill be back when I get back lol. but i wouldnt be longer than 10 weeks. I took off 7 weeks so it wasnt a big deal.

Quoting I'mMom:" Yes, I think you're right. I honestly don't think I will even need the full six weeks out. I was in ... [snip!] ... man, so he isn't being a dick or anything. I just don't want to tell him 2 weeks when I will more than like take more time. "

OK, regardless of healing you need to bond with your baby  

6 weeks for vaginal
8 weeks for c section

Quoting Just Ames:" OK, regardless of healing you need to bond with your baby   6 weeks for vaginal 8 weeks for c section"

Ok sounds good. I will tell him that.

Quoting Ꭶwan♥Nemö:" say 6 weeks without any complications. if something happens Ill let you know if I need to extend it. ... [snip!] ... told my CEO Ill be back when I get back lol. but i wouldnt be longer than 10 weeks. I took off 7 weeks so it wasnt a big deal."

Did your CEO hire someone to come in your place while you were out? Did you get paid leave?

ya small employers aren't required to comply with FMLA.. I also work for a small company (about 10 employees). Fortunately they "self-insure" their disability so I can even work if my clients need me to, and "add-on" to my time at the end.

since your company is a small one like mine, maybe you can make an arrangement to stay home longer, and work from home partially.. if you have a good relationship, it does not hurt to ask because honestly it's a win-win for everyone.

I will take a minimum of 6 wks disability paid-time off, then some vacation, and possibly some unpaid time.. unfortunately, I'm the primary earner in my house, so it SUCKS and we just bought a new house in July so we have tons of bills that need to be paid off before daycare costs kick-in...