Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles!

I did some thinking about my company's STD (short term disability) plan over the weekend. There is a change in the 2005 and 2006 policies. Both apply to the first 6 weeks post-vag birth, however...

The 2005 policy is such: The first 4 days away from work are unpaid or vacation days, but on the 5th consecutive day absent, you get paid retroactively for all 5 days, plus the following 5 weeks 100%.

The 2006 policy is that the first 5 days absent, regardless of total time absent, are unpaid or vacation days. The next 5 weeks are paid 100%.

So, if I take leave starting in 2005, I get essentially 6 weeks paid, but in 2006, I get only 5 weeks paid. I called the STD provider today, and asked, since I'm due so early in 2006, what if my first day absent is 12/31/05- would I qualify for the 2005 plan, meaning get that extra paid week? She said that a STD claim that originates in 2005 is covered under the 2005 policy, so in essence, yes... However, what if I don't deliver in 2005? Can I get paid for the pre-birth time of maternity leave? She did some investigation and came up with the BEST news!

My company, apparently, offers up to 2 weeks pre-birth paid benefit for maternity leave, plus the 6 weeks post birth . Which means, ladies and germs, that my last day of work is going to be Friday, STD starting on 12/31/05 (I double-checked that a Saturday can be the first day absent). Hopefully, I'll deliver in the next 2 weeks and then start a full 6 weeks of paid STD thereafter.

When the adjuster told me all this, I started hearing Motel singing "Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles!"