Hi,
I work for a company for the past 10 months and I'm pregnant. My employer says that they dont give short term disability during time I take off after my delivery. Is it legal for company to avoid STD? Is there any way that I can get paid ( atleast partially) during the time I take off ? I live in the state of Virginia.
Any advise is greatt appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Thanks
karvitha

Are you currently coverred under an STD policy through your employer and a third-party insurance company?

Are employees who take time off for medical reasons other than pregnancy given STD?

1) No. I'm NOT covered under any STD policy thru my employer or thru third party insurance.
Is it possible for me to get a 3rd party insurance? Can you please shed some light on this.

2) No The company does not provide STD when you take leave for medical reasons. (The employee can take accrued medical leave )

Thanks
Karvitha

In the state of Virginia, it is the employer's option whether to provide STD benefits or not. The law does not require that they do so, and there is no state disability plan.

Your employer has chosen not to provide STD benefits to any employee. That is legal.

Barring any kind of welfare or food stamps programs that you might be eligible for through the state, no, there is no partial income available to you.

It is quite unlikely that any third party or private disability carrier will take you on now that you are already pregnant. You are welcome to try, however.

I see that there no other option for me. Let me face it


Thanks a lot for your valuable reply.

Thanks
karvitha

Hi,
at least you were able to apply for STD. I was terminated because I am on bedrest due to pre-term labor, I was told I was not able to file for STD until after the baby was born and I did not have enough vacation for all the time that I needed to be off for bedrest. I was not given the option to file now and only be home with the child for just a couple weeks after.
Now in Kansas (were I'm from) the employers to offer STD, but it is a deduction from you wages every pay check. STD is not just something handed to people, but something that you have to pay for.

No, STD is NOT mandatory in Kansas. The only states where STD is mandatory are California, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Hawaii.

It may have been mandatory at your employer, but it is not state-mandated.