(Closed) TTC and job change

• MrsJet
• 4 years ago

Hi Bee – I am at a similar place with my current job except the benefits at my job are not good at all – we are not offered short term disability so I will get 0 paid maternity leave. When Dh and I were TTC I also reached a point at my job where I just felt like it wasn’t for me anymore and my job satisfaction continued to decline. My responsibilities continue to increase with no talk of added benefits or salary increase. Dh and I were discussing me making a career move / taking time off because I wasn’t exactly sure if I wanted a similar career or something different. It was very stressful for me to think about looking for a job while I am already under so much stress at work and I was also worried about being constantly stressed from work while TTC. A week or 2 after our talk i found out I am pregnant. We have decided I should just stay put at my current job as long as possible. The goal is to leave to have the baby and not come back. I did have a few opportunities to apply to companies right away after finding out we were expecting but like you I felt silly applying and then needing time off for doctors appointments and to have the babY. It has been extra difficult on days I’m not feeling well to motivate myself to go to a job I dislike. But I do feel that it’s a good thing I am half way checked out because if they start giving me feedback about time off or leaving early for appointments it won’t affect me as much. I feel if I was at a new company during this time I would feel guilty for just starting. I’m not sure exactly how long I will stay but for now my mindset is just keep going and earning $ for the baby. I also think it’s good because now there is an end in sight for my job when I have the baby where before I felt like I may never get the nerve to leave or find a new job. Sorry for the ramble. Just wanted to share although I know my situation is slightly different that yours. Good luck !

• Westwood
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: August 2012

I would stick it out if you can. Otherwise you won’t even be covered by fmla. But keep in mind that most places require you to return to work for a while in order to use those benefits. Otherwise you may end up having to pay them back.

• LilliV
• 4 years ago

waterlilly15:  I switch jobs a few months before we got married because I was miserable and wanted to give myself enough time to be at the new job before I would need a maternity leave (we started TTC about a month or so after we got married). I was even MORE miserable at the new job and toughed it out for a year (so about 7 months of TTC) before I decided benefits were not worth being bored out of my skull at work every day and a new job would just have to suck it up if I got pregnant right after I started. I’m almost a year at the new job that I LOVE and still not pregnant. I hope you get pregnant soon, but you just never know how long it will take and being unhappy isn’t going to help anything. 

Hoard money like crazy in the event you don’t qualify for any paid maternity benefits. Also check your state regulations – here in Massachusetts we have a law that is more stringent than FMLA and they must hold your job for 8 weeks as long as you’ve been a full time employee for 3 months. It still isn’t great but at least there is some added security to protect against job loss. 

• SouthernBee00
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: March 2015

Yes to sticking out a job for the benefits. I’m a U.S. Bee and my current job offers no paid leave (but I can use saved leave), but I have incredible health insurance. As long as the job is bearable, I would not risk starting a new job and not qualifying for FMLA (let alone not having enough leave to go to appointments).

• JLFinch
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: March 2014

I’m sticking it out right now. I’m not miserable or anything but I’m severely underpaid for my position. With having trouble getting pregnant and now having to go to the doctor a bunch I just don’t think it would be wise to start a new job somewhere else. 

• MissSemi
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: July 2012

I’m also in a similar situation…I put in an application a few weeks ago for a better opportunity, but we are starting to TTC next month. Currently I have a decent amount of sick/leave time saved up, pretty good health insurance, a flexible schedule, and am eligible for FMLA, but no maternity leave. So for now, I’m hanging in there and reminding myself that most of the things above (health insurance, leave, schedule etc) will come in handy whenever I get pregnant, plus I won’t feel bad extending my leave, going part time, or leaving that job. But I hate the thought that it could very well be awhile and I’ll be stuck in my miserable job. It helps to see I’m not the only one making a pro/con list.