I am in my third year of teaching at my school district in Oklahoma. My boss has informed me that I only have 6 weeks that I can take off once the baby is born. I have had to take a week off prior to the delivery due to complications in the pregnancy. While I am on maternity leave, I am using my personal days and sick days. Can my employer still require me to grade papers, run eligibility, make lesson plans, and monitor all the grading in my classroom? I would like to know what rights I have because I feel like my boss is trying to take advantage of me.

I forgot to mention that I am in a school district that does have over 50 employees.

Teachers are usually deemed to be covered under FMLA even though they may only work nine or ten months a year and less than 1,250 hours. This would entitle you to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. So, the question is -- is your boss saying that you can only take six weeks total or is he saying that only six weeks will be paid. Many short-term disability plans only cover the period during which a woman is actually disabled and recovering after giving birth, which is between six and eight weeks.

Your boss's concern is ensuring continuity for the students. Are there steps you can take to help facilitate the substitute's job such as having lesson plans prepared in advance (any left over from last year?), leaving notes that will facilitate report cards, etc?

For clarification on FMLA, you can contact the U.S. Department of Labor.

Have you contacted your benefits office about your leave? From unfortunate experience I can tell you that most Dept Chairs and school administrators haven't a clue about leave laws. Your negotiated agreement almost assuredly mentions a 6 week maternity leave and I can't tell you how many times I've had to explain that is not in place of FMLA to my own crew.

Contact your HR department and let them know whoever told you that you only get 6 weeks and wants you to work during FMLA leave. Hopefully they can get it straightened out.

can you tell I've had this conversation a few times this week? And after I've done training and sent out reminders as well. :rolleyes: