I live and work in VA and am pregnant. I recently learned that my employer's STD benefits are a mere 4 weeks leave, paid at 60% UP TO $500 a week. I've worked for this company, which otherwise has good benefits, for almost 3 years and am so stunned and disappointed that I am considering quitting and taking another job.

Several questions: first, what does Virginia law say about STD (max/min)? I can't find this anywhere.

Am I eligible for STD supplemental insurance if they say 'no pre-existing conditions' (I saw another post that said pre-exisiting does not apply to prenancy)?

If I change jobs, I know I won't be eligible for FMLA for 12 months. Are there similiar rules with STD?

thanks to anyone who can shed light.

Virginia has no state short term disability program and does not, I believe, require employers to offer STD.

Pregnancy is not a pre-existing condition for health insurance. The terms of each employer's STD plan, however, are unique to that employer so no one here can say whether another employer's plan will be better for you or not.

There are many women who receive no paid time off when they have a baby who would love to be in the position of getting paid for at least part of that time like you will.

60% up to $500 is not uncommon so while you are free to find employment elsewhere if you aren't happy with the benefit, you aren't likely to find a better deal elsewhere. In fact, as there is no requirement that an employer even offer STD in the first place, the next place you go could not have STD at all.

There is no minimum or maximum required by law. It is entirely up to the employer and plan administrator. There is also no law that states how long you may have to wait before you re eligible for STD if you do change jobs. Some employers' pland offer this to those who have been there 30 days, others a year.

The reason you can't find anything is that Virginia law does not address this issue. It is entirely up to the employer whether to offer STD at all, and if so, at what percentage and for how long.

The employer cannot offer lower benefits for pregnancy than it would to other conditions, but other than that, the terms of the STD policy are entirely within the employer's control.

The law prohibits HEALTH insurance plans from considering pregnancy a pre-existing condition. There is no such prohibition on disability plans.