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Category: Pregnancy & Work

Asked by Jen435

Q: Am I entitled to fmla in pa?

I'm currently a RDH working as a DA and getting alot of crap from my employer that I shouldn't be working as a da. I've been looking for a dh job for over 4 months now and at every interview I hear the same thing. One place was actually going to hire me but they had a high turn over rate and I would directly be working with nitrous oxide so i turned down the job. I need my da job since I can't find employment I've been there for over a year. I am employed in pa. We only have three employees in our office. Does anyone know if I'm intitaled to fmla at my current employer? As much as I want to be a dh I'm not sure if its safe to switch careers at 9wks pregnant. I definately need to work to support my family. I am worried to have to take maternity leave without pay and having no job to come back to. He doesn't seem to want me to stay employed with him now and won't tell me what I'm I entitled to. Advice please?

This question was asked Mar. 28, 2012 2:47am
Category: Pregnancy & Work

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Answers (3)

Answered by snowen - Mar. 30, 2012 4:34pm
Since you won't be entitled to FMLA, you may want to look into short term disability insurance. You can typically receive 50-70% of your income while you are on maternity leave. If this insurance is not offered through your employer, you can purchase it privately for a relatively low cost. Also, your employer cannot discriminate against you because you are pregnant. This is according to the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) which requires that employers treat pregnant employees in the same manner as male and non-pregnant female employees in determining their ability to work. You can't be fired just because you are pregnant - so don't let your boss run you off!

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Answered by Jen435 - Mar. 28, 2012 8:00pm
thank you for your reply. You are correct. Its terrible. My boss has the right to replace me and I can't even collect. I love the dental profession but I'm starting to learn your on your own. I'm thankful to have learned this at 8wks well almost 9. Then when I'm showing. Looks like I'll be looking out for myself and no longer for my boss. After all I am given no respect and he wants me out. Going to stay there and make them misrible for as long as I have to though. I need to support my family.


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Answered by Leniana - Mar. 28, 2012 6:50pm
FMLA is a federal law, it applies in all 50 states. It does not provide any benefit to you other than the ability to take up to 12 weeks off with no pay, and have a job waiting for you when you return. However, I believe it only applies to businesses with 50 or more employees. Is your office part of a larger chain? If not, you may be out of luck. It sucks to change jobs but you may have to seek out a chain that would have a better benefit package. Unfortunately the US has some of the worst maternity leave rights in the entire world (literally worse than most 3rd world countries).

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