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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 312
Location: KS | So haven't been on here for a little while since having a baby at the end of August and going back to work. Hope everyone is having a great Holiday season.
I have a question, hoping someone on here has some experience on the boss side of things.
I had my son at the end of August, I took a couple weeks off from work, but bc I work in the agricultural field, and it being right in the middle of fall harvest I went in (taking my son with me) by week 3. From there I was working a couple days a week, but still planned to take the 6 weeks off with my son. I've been at this job full time (40+ hrs/wk) for the last 6 years. I'm paid hourly and receive full benefits/vac/sick. I love my job, but as some of you may no after having a baby, it completely changes you (or it did me). I had no idea how hard it was going to be to go back to work. I live in a very rural area. There is not a babysitter or daycare in the closest town where I work. I thankfully am blessed with an amazing mother who said she would watch him 3 days for me, so I did this for a couple weeks, finally broke down and asked another older gal who has a little daycare about 15 miles away to watch him one day a week. So I'm working 4 days a week, taking one day off and spending it with my son which I love.
I guess my question is if Im working anywhere from 32-36 hours a week, am I considered full time? Meaning I get to keep my benefits/vac/sick?
Everything I seem to come across says anything 30+ hours is considered full time but up to the employer if they want to offer benefits with that?!
My boss knows the situation and knows daycare is not easy to find and than finding one that is reliable. I will not leave my child with just anyone and I do have that choice. I have to feel comfortable, its not worth it to me otherwise. And he's been more than understanding.
Just curious if anyone else is in a similar situation an how it worked out.
I've been stressed about it, wondering if I will get to keep my benefits if it stays this way.
Thanks gals.
And loved the post about the stay at home wife/mom....my advice...stay at home, enjoy your family and kids. | |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
 
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I'm not sure about the full time. You might have to just ask the boss. I feel your pain. I live in the rural part of rural. No one local would/could watch my first son so I was driving an hour south of my home to a daycare, just to come back 30 minutes to the PO I worked at, then south again to get him after work and an hour back home. When I had my 2nd son I said the heck with it. All my income was going to fuel & daycare. I do however miss in a very big way, the federal insurance and benefits.
Edited by wyoming barrel racer 2016-11-29 9:51 PM
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
 
Location: Arkansas | I'm no help but congrats on the baby and welcome back! | |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | I believe you have to work 32 hours a week to be considered eligible to keep your benefits. Congrats on the baby. I had my daughter in September and just came back to work too. | |
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 Hot Dispatcher
Posts: 10185
Location: Utah | It would depend on your employer. I work for the county and full time is 40 hours. My husband has worked in healthcare where 32 hours was considered full time for benifits. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | I think it depends on your employer, whether they offer benefits or not.
I feel your pain, though. My son is two years and four months. It does get easier. At first, I could hardly stand to be away from him. Easy for me to say, though. I did get a few months of maternity leave. Kids are flexible. Your baby will be just fine, it's just super hard on you! It will get easier.
Overall, two+ years out, I'm glad I didn't make the decision to retire, which I *really* wanted to do. The long term benefits of my job will make it well worth the time I'm spending at work, away from my son. My situation is probably a little different, though. I have twenty years in my job and I will have a good retirement income when he is ready to do expensive stuff together like fish, hunt, rodeo, travel, etc...
If your family is very dependent on your income and benefits, tough it out and keep your job. If you think you will be able to go back to work fairly easily in a few years, you might consider staying at home. I completely understand about it changing you. I think a lot of that is a hormonal reaction and when it's time for your baby to have more independence, your brain will know that, too and react accordingly. It has happened like that for me, but everyone is different. | |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | The best person you can ask is your employer. Doesn't really matter what we tell you if your boss's policies are different  | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 312
Location: KS | Thanks for the replys. Yes will for sure talk to my boss, but was just curious if anyone had dealt with something similar and how it worked out. I'm hoping they will work with me. No my family isn't completely dependent on my income, we farm and raise cattle, so my income is just an added bonus. I like making my own money so I feel like I can spend my own money and feel its worked out well the last 8 years for us.
My husband would support us if that's what I really wanted, and a part of me does, but I do get benefits for my entire family through my job which is helpful.
And thank you for telling me its going to get easier, we hit 3 months and I think maybe its easier, but still have a hard time with knowing someone gets to see my son more than me, blessed that is my loving mom, who lives very close, close enough I run out during my lunch hour and get to see him for a little bit. :)
I guess a part of me is concerned about the future too though, we're leaving it up to God now, but wasn't planning on stopping with just one child, and seems like the more kids you have the harder it is to find childcare, around here anyway. My mom I know will always be willing to do a couple days, she actually does it for all her grandkids, she has five of them 2 days a week and she enjoys it.
Guess maybe when that day comes I could consider staying home and making alittle on the side doing something from home. I honestly had no idea how this little boy was going to change me, you could have asked me during my pregnancy if I was going to go back to work and I would have told you yes. No one can prepare you for how its going to make you feel.
Thanks again. | |
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