I was working at my place of employment for just shy of year when my second child was born. She was born in August, and in September I met the one-year requirement for FMLA, but because I was short of the 1,250 work hours required, I did not qualify. I spent a good deal of time agonizing with HR and trying to make things work. They were not willing to work with me at all. I would only get eight weeks (I had a c-section) and the only amount paid would be any PTO I had. Being that I was a part-time employee, I did not have much. I begged and pleaded. I tried asking for some overtime prior to her birth to try to meet the hours. I asked if I could come back to a temporary adjusted schedule and they denied it. They denied every request that I asked for.
I suffered from some postpartum depression/postpartum anxiety with my firstborn and knew that there was no way I would do well with only eight weeks while recovering from a c-section and with a 3-year-old at home.
My husband was let go from his current job when I was 36 weeks pregnant due to a reduction in his company. He was on unemployment, but luckily found a job very soon! Since he was at a new job, he did not have any paid time off, but he was lucky and able to delay his start date accordingly to have three weeks. We were struggling. I ultimately made the decision to quit my job. I had to because it was best for me emotionally and physically, and also best for my family and new baby. My employer was incredibly uncooperative and insensitive to the entire ordeal. I am a highly educated woman, with a master’s degree, and I am now working part-time as a head teacher in a child care facility. My career has taken a huge hit, but due to lack of support from employers, I have had to make tough choices!
