Maloney O'Laughlin PLLC fights for employees throughout Washington, from Seattle to Spokane.

Maloney O'Laughlin PLLC fights for employees throughout Washington, from Seattle to Spokane.

Do I have to use vacation days during pregnancy disability leave?

On Behalf of | Dec 4, 2023 | Pregnancy Discrimination

Pregnancy is a significant and transformative period in a woman’s life, often requiring dedicated time for rest and medical care. During this transformative time, many women wonder about the intersection of pregnancy disability leave and vacation days.

It is important to understand that pregnancy disability leave is different from regular vacation time. You can benefit from knowing when you get time off for your pregnancy without having to use vacation days.

Differentiating pregnancy disability leave and vacation days

Pregnancy disability leave is a specific type of leave designed to accommodate a pregnant employee’s medical needs. It allows a woman to take time off work due to pregnancy-related conditions. You can use this leave to ensure you receive the medical care and rest that you need. In contrast, vacation days are typically used for personal leisure and are not intended to address specific medical needs.

Understanding pregnancy disability leave eligibility

Employers must provide eligible employees with pregnancy disability leave under certain circumstances. Eligibility criteria may include the duration of employment and the number of hours worked. It is important to check with your employer to determine your eligibility for pregnancy disability leave.

The relationship between pregnancy disability leave and vacation days

During pregnancy disability leave, employees may often receive their regular compensation through disability insurance. Vacation days, on the other hand, are not directly linked to disability-related leaves and may be subject to the employer’s policies.

Taking leave without using vacation days

In many cases, pregnancy disability leave does not require the use of accrued vacation days. The purpose of pregnancy disability leave is to address medical needs. This separation ensures that employees can prioritize their health and well-being without sacrificing earned leisure time.

While studies show that less than two percent of workers are pregnant each year, the fact remains that those who are pregnant deserve fair treatment. You can assert your right to pregnancy leave without the need to use other forms of paid time off.