Congratulations! If you’re reading this blog, chances are you have found out that you are pregnant. Or, maybe you are the partner of someone who is pregnant. Being pregnant and expecting a child is one of life’s greatest blessings. However, becoming pregnant may also create worries about job security, plans for work, benefits, and other items. For many working women, becoming pregnant can come as a surprise. While life’s greatest blessing may come at an unexpected time in one’s life, you must know what you can do to prepare to leave a job. Here is a checklist as to what you should do when you find out you’re expecting:
- Determine if your job falls under FMLA eligibility. According to the Family and Medical Leave Act, one qualifies for pregnancy leave if (1) they have been employed with the company for 12 months, (2) the employee has worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of the FMLA leave, and (3) the employer employs 50 or more employees.
- If you then discover that you are eligible under FMLA (or under company or a state-policy) inform, preferably in writing, Human Resources that you are expecting, along with your due date and any additional information required by the company.
- If it turns out that you are suffering from morning sickness or are required to stay home due to a pregnancy-related side-effect, perhaps consider informing Human Resources a little earlier that you are pregnant, rather than waiting to announce it due to superstition, so you can create a plan of action to continue working.
- Schedule time with Human Resources and your manager to discuss transitioning from work to leave, how your projects will be split, who will take over your responsibilities when you return to work, and what you will be working on when you return from leave.
- Schedule several meetings with Human Resources and your Benefits Specialist to ensure you know everything about your benefits policy.
If you have an employment issue, give the Law Office of Andrew Ross Sack a call. Andrew Ross Sack is a New York and New Jersey employment lawyer who has considerable experience in handling the many aspects of labor and employment law. To schedule a consultation with New York City/Long Island/Westchester employment lawyer Andrew Ross Sack, call (516) 526-3319.
