For posterity -

[kyburg]

I had my annual review at work today - went well, actually. But I was asked to check with HR on the leave policies because I did insist on talking about my being gone for multiple weeks next year for the adoption. So here, for posterity -



I've been asked to get something definitive for {BOSSMAN} with regards to what kind of leave/vacation/absence should be expected when I complete the international adoption I am anticipating from China next year.

With any kind of luck, it will be a year from now, plus a month of two. The waits lately have been 16 months from dossier acceptance, and ours was likely accepted in late February - as soon as I have the DAD, I'll let you know. Once a placement has been made, I will have 30 days to get my visa and get to China to pick up my daughter.

Last time I did any research, I was told I was entitled to six weeks of unpaid leave under the Family Leave Act. I was also told that I can only acrue 1 and 1/2 times my yearly vacation time. (With that being three weeks a year, I think I top out at five weeks.)

There are no long or short term disability benefits available because there is no pregnancy or medical reason for the leave. Also, no unemployment benefits as well - I'm simply out on leave.

Can you confirm these things?

Currently, I expect I will need at least four weeks in country at the time of adoption, and then plan to take as much time at home as possible once we return. Both of us plan to return to work full time after our leaves are exhausted.

Can you give me a firm estimate of just how much time I can take away, within the legal and legitimate parameters set by the company?

It's some time away, but I'm not going to leave my department unprepared. There is a lot I can do from home, if necessary (yes, I could telecommute between diaper changes, conceptually), but there are weeks where I will be completely unreachable for any reason - at least, I *think* that will be the case, today.

Thanks in advance! (Has anyone ever dealt with the Dave Thomas Adoption Support website at http://www.adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org? Curious, only.)

So, there. I've said it. I'd have to say, I am trying to be accommodating - when it's a pregnancy, no way in hell does anyone say a thing until they're four months along or so. At least, nobody recommends it. Seriously.

This is a year and a half away. At best.

I've never had a job where I was thinking in terms of years. Months, sure. But I was never anywhere I could expect to be in five years...let alone five months.

I think I like it.

Comments

[foogod.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not the loss of the days I was worrying about. The issue here is that I believe (if I remember right) that the employer is required by law to let you take the sick days you have without repercussions of any kind for actually using them. If, however, you use up all of your vacation and all of your sick days, then any time you take off beyond that can potentially count against you and can be used as justification for unfavorable evaluations, or even firing you, down the road.

From what you've said, it doesn't sound like this is the sort of company where it would be a big concern, but it's still not really reasonable for them to put you in a position where you have no legal right to take time off work without repercussions if an emergency comes up, IMHO. (and there are some companies out there where this really could be a big issue)

It does sound like a nice work environment, though.. congratulations on making your way out of the dark :)