[Anonymous]

Currently, I work in a small firm. (5 cpa’s & myself). For a number of reasons, I have been looking for another position.

Here’s my question. We are thinking of starting a family in the next year or two. I have been focused on applying at larger firms and for positions at larger corporate offices because I am concerned about FMLA. I am worried that if I start working at a smaller firm and have a family within a year of starting work that it may not go down well. Especially, if I have to take any leave during tax season.

Should I even be worried? Ladies how have you dealt with this?

It’s gotten so that I’m uncomfortable applying at any small firms. I have been applying to large firms and for corporate positions. I interviewed for and was offered a position at a smallish, local firm but turned the offer down because the compensation was less than I was looking for. I haven’t been getting interviews with larger corps because they seem to want several years of experience. I tend to gravitate to smaller firms anyway. I’m ambitious, but not terribly competitive – so I’m not necessarily looking for the partner track at a Big 4. My husband says I should just go for the jobs I want and that if its a good firm to work for I’ll find out when I announce a pregnancy.

As I have a job now, I don’t HAVE to find a job right away. So I can wait for the right one I think. (Although, I admit to feeling impatient. My current position is a blackhole and I’d like to jump ship before tax season again)

[Anonymous]

I agree with your husband. Go for the job you want no matter if it's with a small or big company.

Plus, the USA is not a family-friendly country. Why would you try to protect the business while being pregnant, when the business provides you no protections?

[Anonymous]

@75 I'm not concerned about protecting my employer from anything. FMLA applies to employers with 50 or more employees. It is legal for a small employer to let me go if I were to get pregnant.

I'm curious about other family's experiences. I understand it's lame for an employer to have an employee off for a couple months and can be stressful for coworkers. But how do you explain to an employer “hey, I'm having a kid. I'm not a flake. If you show me some loyalty, I'll repay you in kind.”

[Marivy22]

@bluegirl,

I would continue looking for corporate of bigger firms jobs. Bigger co's usually have paid maternity leave benefits, and a good HR department that let managers/supervisors know the rules while you are out.

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[Anonymous]

@75 That is the ironic thing I find about the USA….they are known for promoting the “American Dream” yet they could pretty much careless if you have a family or not to care for.

For example, those without an education tend to have children but MOST of the jobs available to them have “non-standard” hours.

Even when I apply to a job, I NEVER mention that I have children because I don't want them to think I cannot do the job because I do. You would think raising children would show employers that you have the work ethic but whatever. I would have co-workers say, “oh, you have children?” lol

I always tell my fiance that the US is not family-friendly,they pretty much want to work yu to death, LITERALLY. I spoke with a news anchor from ABC Action8 and she told me that they were trying to get voice overs literally why she was in labor! Seriously! Americans work longer days than almost in country in the world.

@bluegirl I'd say go for it! I mean if you are GREAT at your job a company WILL pay for you whether you're pregnant or not whatever!(Technically HR is not supposed to disqualify you for those reasons but they do! And it can be difficult to prove and a VERY long stressful process at that) Plus, that one woman who was the Google CEO @37 just was asked to work for Yahoo as CEO AND she is pregnant[yAhoo said they did not care]! 😉

[Mrs 300]

I think that you should go for the job that you want and they should be understanding if and when you decided to have a family.

I'm assuming that you are of child-bearing age and there has to be some thought in their minds that you will likely have children soon. Also, be careful applying to a larger company because they may have a loophole with pregnancy. For example, I currently work for a pretty large public accounting firm. They offer FMLA, and 8 weeks maternity leave (plus you can use your vacation to extend your leave). BUT they only offer PAID FMLA if you have been working there 2 years prior to the birth of a child.

Just wanted to warn about that….

I started w/ PwC in August of '04 and had my first baby in August of '06. People weren't too thrilled that I had a baby and was gone during fall busy season, but I honestly didn't care. And you shouldn't either. Having a baby isn't always the easiest thing to plan for some people. So when you get pregnant, you get pregnant. And that's that!

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[Anonymous]

Paid FMLA leave! I must be sheltered, have never heard of that. I planned on saving my vacation and sick time and using any banked PTO. I figure it would get me part of the way and then I would take some unpaid leave.

I live in an “at will” state. Meaning I can be let go for any reason and no reason.

A friend of mine took maternity leave and was covered by FMLA because it is a larger employer. When she was away (6 or 8 weeks I think) they hired someone to replace her and she was somewhat demoted. They are subtly trying to push her out by not giving her work.

Its just bad timing for me. Getting my CPA, career transition and all. I just can't put off a family much longer. I'm getting older and caring less about my employer, I'm seriously not getting compensated enough to care. When I'm the next yahoo CEO, I'll get a nanny 😛

[Mr. Mini]

True story – My wife and I conceived both of our children in late July so that we would have them in early May (right after tax season). lol.

My understanding is that FMLA is unpaid. It just allows you to take the time off of work without being fired or demoted. As mentioned above, it is only for companies with greater than 50 employees and I thought you had to be an employee for more than one year.

Any idea how long you plan on taking off after the baby arrives? If you work for a smaller firm and you have your baby in the middle of busy season, your employer is going to be in a tough spot. If you have your baby during the off season, it probably wont be a huge deal. If you work for a larger company, it wont be a big deal either. If you are unhappy where you are, I would look for a position that is the right fit for you. Often times, smaller businesses may provide you with the flexibility and personal consideration that larger firms wouldnt. I wouldnt rule out smaller firms just because you are afraid of something that might happen. Keep all of your options open.

[Mrs 300]

@Mr Mini, LOL we tried to do the same as you guys, but it just didn't go as planned. I really wanted both of my kids to be born in late April, May or even June so I could avoid a Spring of Fall maternity leave for tax seasons, but my body just did on agree. Both kids were due on 7/26. One born in August and one born in July. OK tangent and probably TMI.

Sorry guys – I was definitely unclear and I was typing and not communicating everything that I was thinking. I always thought that maternity leave was technically a portion of FMLA, but I think I'm wrong. FMLA is not paid and my FMLA was not paid. I was talking about maternity leave. I would have to be at my current firm for 2 years in order to get any maternity leave pay.

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input everyone. It seems like it is never the “right time” to have a family.

Pregnancy is unpredictable and I'm realistic. I've had friends who had trouble free pregnancies and they are back to work in a couple of months. Other friends have had health issues that force bed rest and special care for their newborn. I'm worried how my professional life may suffer, but not so worried that I will change my life for it.

I wish more employers would recognize how showing some understanding for employees is worth it in the long run. I would gladly step up to help someone that needed to take time due to a surgery or to help a sick parent.

[Author]

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