[Dawn-NJ]

I am a Federal employee waiting to get a call about a foster/adopt placement , meantime I am hoping to take a month when I get the child home and then work 3 days a week. In order to take the Family leave you have to fill out all these paperwork ahead of time.
But now they tell me that I cannot take my sick leave for more than 3 days in a row unless I have a note from the agency saying that it is medically necessary for me to stay home with the placement. How crazy is that?
I mean if I was giving birth I would be able to take sick time but now I cannot because it is adopted. It sounds to me like a anti-adotion catch. Even if it is not meant to be.
Maybe it was designed for people that have sick kids that take lots of time off and need to proof that kids are really sick but in the case of adoption, to be able to stay home and to start bonding with the a healthy child is so important, how can you not be able to do that.
Any ideas.?
Do you guys think that the DYFS agency will give me a note saying that I need to stay home with the child even if they are healthy, I don't see how they will.
I am so mad.

[leenab]

I don't see why you can't take time off under the FMLA. Isn't there:
Check out:
http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_benefi.cfm

You may not be able to get time off if it's a fost/adopt placement. I know my DH couldn't, but once we adopt both children he'll get the time off. His company gives 2 weeks per birth/adoption. So with 2 adoptions he'll have 4 weeks paid leave. He is able to take 12 weeks unpaid, but since I'm a SAHM we really con't afford for him to take 24 weeks off, 6 months.

You may be able to take off once the adoption is finalized.

-LeenaB

[newMafamily]

Some places have a policy that sick leave is only for personal sickness. Pregnancy in this case is defined as an illness and you can take sick time for it. If your company has a personal leave time bank that includes all time it is different. You need to read your HR policies to determine whether you can get paid time off. They may be required to give unpaid time off or allow you to use vacation but depending on your policies they may not have to allow sick time to be used for foster care placement. You are in NJ and I know you can call the labour board and ask them to clarify this but they will need to see your HR policy to do so. New Jersey has a lot of laws so while other state info is helpful I suggest you consult this agency rather then base anything you present to your employer on info from another state.

[BethanyB]

Hey there! It's bethanyb! I would not have been allowed to take my sick days after "T's" placement either. Luckily he came over the summer. You should be allowed to take the time off without pay. People who give birth go through the birthing process and so it's considered an illness. People who adopt don't go through any medical procedures so technically many places do not have to let you take your sick days. Work places that are not cheap are kind enough to let adoptive parents take their sick days anyway but not my school district. I know it stinks!
Any word on anything yet?

[marcav]

As a federal employee you are entitled to paid leave under the "family friendly leave act." This is different then the FLA in that you are entitled to up to 80 hours of paid leave providing that you have the sick leave available and a minimum balance remaining (I forget how much.) Foster care/adoption is covered under this, you just have to provide documentation.

I have used this myself for other reasons a number of years ago so check with your HR office to get a copy of the policy to make sure I have it right. Don't take any one's word for what you're entitled to -- get it in writing!!

[lambeausam]

You definitely need to request under FFLA rather than FMLA. I've used it with most of my thirteen placements over the past 8 years.

Sam