[jpeel99]

Has anyone one encountered problems with benefits at work due to the adoption? My company treats adoption completely different that having your own biological child and it justs make me furious. With all the other stresses with the adoption, you'd like to think that your company is there on your side.

[foxl]

For us it is FMLA but my boss reminded me, since I was adopting, it is <<<ONLY>>> for purposes of attachment, not my physical recover from giving birth. HAH -- which do you think takes longer ... like she thinks I am doing it the EASY WAY???

Anyhow I took intermittent leave, so I could spend more time with him and keep her happy.

[tinaedmond]

I was successfully able to lobby my employer to begin providing adoption benefits almost two years ago. I still have the letter I sent to the owner (we have a small company of about 1200 employees so the owner is very visible) if anyone wants it for reference, information, etc. A packet I got from the Dave Thomas Foundation which outlines the benefits of adoption benefits for employers was also very instrumental to getting adoption assistance at my company. I sent it with my letter to the owner.

Anyone interested in more info, just IM me. More companies need to offer this benefit!

Tina

[Bassette]

What the,.......is that legal? It is unfair to say the very least.

Tina I would really appreciate if you would PM that info to me. Thanks heaps.

[jpeel99]

Tina,

Can you please send this info to me?


also, how do you PM?

thanks
Jenna

[LFMom]

My company offers adoption assistance - I think it's $5,000 per adoption. They also give 2 weeks of parental leave to anyone with a new child. However, those who are adopting do not get the traditional paid maternity leave because it is in reality paid through short term disability insurance and adoption isn't considered a disability (whereas recovery from childbirth is). I personally don't have a problem with that - there is a logical reason. Fathers can't get paid maternity leave either. I work for a large company so you can get an unpaid leave under FMLA.

[kimberlyann68]

I actually have a meeting on Thursday morning to go over everything with my supervisor. I plan on taking unpaid FMLA leave, plus the company offers adoption reimbursement. The manager of our department is an adoptive parent, so she's been wonderful. I'm sorry that you haven't had the same experience.

[KellyMigoya]

In California you can take 6 weeks paid under a type of State disability. If yu gave birth, yuo wold get your normal 6 weeks and then another 6 weeks as well.
Of course I am self employed so I have gone back to work the next week after 2 c-sections and a week after bringing Princess home but at least I have my flexibility and can take my kids to the office if I need to.

[moelladeville]

Our company treats different employees differently. Leave is up to the discretion of your boss. I got two months of paid leave, while my colleague in the same department who is adopting from Guatemala also (different boss), got nothing.

[ej-momtobe]

My company gives an adoptive parent 1 month paid leave, with the option of taking 2 additional months upaid, per FMLA.

[Jett's Mama]

I am right there with you. Unpaid fmla- that's all folks......

[jennifr]

My husband is in the military. They told him that when he gets back he'll get 1 day off and then if there weren't to many people off he could apply for days off -against his leave...he's not real happy about that.

[wvamom]

Although I didn't get leave, my boss did allow me to work from home for six weeks after we brought Joseph home. In fact, I still work from home two days a week.

Sometimes there is a compromise position between having leave and having nothing. At least, it's worth a shot!
Carolyn

[African Safari]

I had the same conversation with my boss this week. I learned that I can't use accumulated sick leave for bonding purposes I had 5 weeks stored up. I work for the federal government. However, I can use sick leave to pick her up and for any doctor's appointments after I bring her home. In fact, I can use sick leave for the days I'm in local court getting the adoption finalized in my home state, applying for a social security card, etc. I'm scrambling to figure out how I can stay home for three months and not go into the poor house.

[Bug-n-Bears-Mommy]

I too was able to lobby my company to treat my adoption more fair! Since I was a test case, I was VERY adamant. At firt they told me "NO!" I cried, went back to my desk, and composed a letter to our CFO (I work in the finance department) I compared our pre-placement appointments adn meetings with case workers to a pregnant mother's prenatal doctor appointments. I was sure to point out that I would not need nearly the time that a woman who was going first monthly and later weekly to appointments would surely be taking more time off that I would ever need. I went on to point out that my unconventional path to motherhood should not be condemed. They agreed to consult a "professionsl" HR consultant. Lucky me...SHE was an adoptive mother! Needless to say, she set them straight!