[Padinbaby#1]

I was told today that I can take leave up to 12 weeks but I don't get paid, even if I have days. I am a public school teacher and I have banked about 42 days and they will not allow for me to use them for when my daughter comes home. They said that I did not give birth to the child so it doesn't count. WHAT?! I have been in tears all day and DH is mad at me b/c I won't calm down. We have made it through finding the money to complete the adoption, but what am I going to do if I stay home 6 weeks with no pay? I don't know what to do now! Has anyone been in this situation? What did you finally do?

[HappyTwinsMom]

I would contact your union if you have one and the head of your human resources department. I don't believe they can discriminate against you because you didn't give birth. I work in county government, and was able to take all my sick and vacation accruals, then took the 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA. All in all, I was off for the first five months.

Good luck!

[jaymo]

If you are a teacher, I would suggest talking to someone in the teachers's union, if you are a member. What state are you in? There has to be something written somewhere about this. That is nonsense that because you haven't given birth ...... I realize that the maternty leave is partly for healing but it is also for recouperating (not sure how to spell that one!) and getting used to having another person in your house!

I am sorry that you are having to deal with this. Maybe is there another adoptive parent -- teacher that you can talk to and see how they handled it? There are thousands of adoptive parents, you have to be able to find another teacher in your district!
Good luck!
Maura.

[AnasMama]

I am in the boat with you... I am taking leave without pay for about 8 weeks, and then I am going to start back part time and work back to full. There really should be more provisions made for adoptions.

[Padinbaby#1]

The principal that I work for and his wife adopted several years ago and were able to take the Maternity leave. He is tring to figure something out. I am in the state of GA and a member of the state union. I am just not sure how to go about that.

[Mandy4President]

I would also take it up with someone. That doesn't sound right.

My husband doesn't get paid time off, and I am in college and am already missing classes to go so I can take no time off, I have to go back the day after we bring her home. We can only afford for my husband to take off one week. Luckily, my grandma watches my kids at my home so she will be home with someone who is very important in the family anyway. It stinks though.

[uom88]

The organization where I work does not have any adoption benefits. Like you, the time I take off will be FMLA (without pay). I went to the Dave Thomas Foundation website and have put together a proprosal for adoption benefits to be added. While it may not help me, maybe it will go through and help someone els.

[Tinkrbel]

I am so sorry to hear this...


Talk to your union rep, every new parent deserves time off to bond with their child......sheeeessshhh!

I have heard of people having Dr.s write a release saying you need the time off work, or even of others who have waited to have "minor procedures" done to take advantage of loop holes in the system.

Keep us posted!
Stacey

[TerriBB]

We don't have "maternity leave" at our office, we have short term medical leave. This sick time is accumulated at 1.2 days per month - max time is 6 months. I used this when our son was born. I only had a few weeks saved at that time, thus they spread out my pay over the 8 weeks that I was not in the office. (Had a c-section and wasn't able to drive for a month.)

When our daughter arrives, I get one or two weeks of "caregiver" leave which is paid and I believe part of FMLA. I have banked 300 hours of vacation time to spend with Flora when she arrives, but I may use only 4-5 weeks and save the rest for full family time.

[kimberlyann68]

I know it stinks! I'm in the same situation now. I've been off for 6 weeks, without pay unfortunately. Our finances have been pretty tight since I've been off, but it's been so well worth it to be able to spend so much time with our son. The company I work for does offer some adoption reimbursement, so hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of that.

[jaymo]

Ok, so stuff like this makes my blood boil as you can probably guess just by the fact that this is my second post on this thread

here is a link to a legal proceeding ..... it states that, well, you can look at the link.
Hope that this helps some

28:0547(67)NG - FORT STEWART (GEORGIA) ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS VS

Maura.

[maxattack]

Same thing here! I have over 90 sick days banked! Can't use them...no "medical reason" when adopting. I am also a public school teacher, and single. We will be poor, but love counts more than material things. We will get thru it and if you can't find any loop holes, so will you. God will provide.

[KKR213]

I am so sorry. That is awful especially when you have time accumulated to use. It isn't fair. Don't they realize how important that time is for you and your baby. I hope your principal can help work something out.

Now I feel very lucky that my firm treated my adoption the same as the other employees pregnancies. I got the same time off and paid.

[mybabykaili]

Its sad to know that I am not the only one with that same problem. I am a relatively calm person but went through the roof when I was told that adoption "didnt count" because I didnt have physical pain. BOY - did I give them an earful! NO PHYSICAL PAIN - who are they kidding??? Have they ever been in PGN????!!! It turns out the only time off I get is my vacation, the rest is unpaid.

[2bASingleMom]

That is weird that they won't let you take personal time banked as a part of FMLA. My company REQUIRES that you take that first. Like another poster, FMLA for adoption is unpaid (less banked time) whereas delivering a bio child is seen as medical leave. In lieu of this, my company offers $2500 adoption assistance, which makes sense to me.

Good luck! You should be able to use your banked time (my $.02) - that doesn't seem fair. I hope that your union can do something for you!