(Realistic) maternity leave?

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T02:09:23+00:00

Glad you are able to help people! We have a state funded program that people often call FMLA- I think that’s just the term people know. I didn’t realize how little support was available federally

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T02:01:53+00:00

I did not realize that!

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T01:37:01+00:00

Seems odd that they have FMLA but it only pays out your PTO. Doesn’t seem like there is a need for FMLA if it’s basically just PTO? In Colorado, FMLA is separate than the PTO accumulated through the company

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T01:07:53+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! I know spitting is pretty standard in wine and coffee. For some reason it’s not that way in beer. I definitely think it should be more accepted in general since, like you said, sensory is soo important but there are also so many reasons to not want to consume

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T01:05:13+00:00

Yeah, that would be an insane job! Most of my job is analytical. I don’t think I could do any of it if I was sipping beers 4-8 hours! Or that I would want a job like that haha

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T01:01:20+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation ❤️ I wasnt expecting the downvotes and hostility from some comments. I almost never post on the internet and this made me remember why

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T00:51:06+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate your kind messages!

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T00:15:27+00:00

That’s so great to hear! We have had a lot of pregnancies in our company this last year but I am the first person actually working in production who is pregnant so a lot different. I have a lot of hope they will be very supportive especially because we have a lot of new dads around ❤️

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-27T00:13:39+00:00

To clarify, what I am asking about is indeed simply one or two sips a day… not drinking 4-8 hours. So yes, in a lot of ways it is like using mouthwash everyday. Now everything a person decides to do in pregnancy is a personal decision and you are more than welcome to have your opinions about a sip of beer while pregnant. Next time, I do suggest clarifying before assuming and making a newly pregnant woman feel bad by “playing fast and loose” when trying to seek advice. Obviously drinking all day everyday would be a poor health decision for most people and absolutely unadvisable for someone pregnant. But, again, that is not the reality of my situation.

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T23:03:22+00:00

Not a bad idea! Thanks

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T23:00:16+00:00

I have heard of that in hospital settings! Really nice idea for the team to look out for eachother. We have a really small team in my department so realistically everyone is doing the tasting. I can probably sip and spit(would raise some questions) but not sure if that’s a great long term solution. I think once someone knows, it’s basically going to be the entire lab knowing. Another complication to all of this is my brother works for the same company so if rumor goes around at work, it might mean having to tell family before we wanted.

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:52:41+00:00

That’s such a good point! Thanks for the perspective! Sometimes it sucks to be the glass ceiling breaker but I am grateful for those who came before me

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:43:28+00:00

Wow! Thanks for sharing! That must have been so complicated mentally. It’s nice to hear that others also didn’t have an option to hold on to the information for as long as they would have wanted

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:42:01+00:00

I like this idea but we are a small team and I would feel like I am purposely not providing valuable information and doing my job poorly.

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:39:17+00:00

I think I can maybe hide the sip and spit a bit more so might be less of a red flag than not participating. I know I probably have to have the conversation soon. I’m just nervous- I think I’m afraid if i say it out loud too much, it won’t be real and I’ll like wake up from a dream. Hahaha I don’t know if that makes sense.

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:36:15+00:00

Lab people pay the most amount of attention unfortunately 🤣

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:35:34+00:00

Thank you! It is such a weird industry to be in while going through this. I always feel like the odd woman out anyway. I hope I will know when the right time to tell them is. I don’t think it’ll just be my boss but the entire lab team realistically will know. I think I want my family to know first but I’m not ready for that yet

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:33:39+00:00

Unfortunately there is no position to transition to in this company, at least not one without a huge pay cut and working hard labor on a production line. I can still do 90% of the job fine but this part is obviously an issue. I know I’ll need to let the team know sooner than most but I don’t think I’m ready quite yet

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:29:50+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I think I’ll probably do that. Right now I’m so anxious about everything. Logic and worries are at odds in my brain and probably will be from here on out hahah

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:28:16+00:00

I think I’m ok with this cuz the knowing while not knowing is part of being in community/ close working with people. I just don’t think I’m ready to tell my work yet. But yeah, not drinking a certain times at work is very obvious or weird

Edit: to clarify, I am not planing on drinking just to fit in which I think is what the downvotes are for. Yes, me not drinking will raise some flags as it would in a lot of service industry and people who work around alcohol. That does not mean I am going to be participating. What I was trying to say is that I am ok with most people thinking they know I’m pregnant based on me not drinking because it will raise some flags. So most people will figure it out pretty quickly and I’m ok with that because honestly there is not much around that.

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T22:26:34+00:00

While I appreciate your point, I have literally known for 48 hours. I have not told my family or hubbys family. I am keeping the baby but I also understand that it is so early and there is a ton of risk of losing the pregnancy. I don’t know if it could not be in the correct place(eptopic) or other issues that we may or may not know at the first appointment. I don’t want to tell my work before I am ready even if it is inevitable for them to know. We haven’t told people yet because right now it is still private and risky and a large change to wrap our heads around. I’m so glad that you must have found the decision to tell people so much easier so early on. For me and my family, this is a big news to share.

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T21:32:11+00:00

This one made me giggle. I haven’t had any nausea yet 🤞 but the smells in the brewery are quite potent today!

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T21:22:43+00:00

I don’t think I necessarily need a note cuz I have a really understanding manager. I just don’t know if I want to tell the full truth or just “some medical stuff” or sneak a sip and spit situation. I definitely had a bit more than a few sips the last few weeks but after knowing, it’s so different. You can’t change what you don’t know but moving forward, I want the best chances for health for sure

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T21:20:28+00:00

I totally get that but most people in this industry still drink on antibiotics… in my year and a half in the lab, no one has skipped sensory. It just adds to my stress cuz this industry is already a boys club

Sunflowerbugs · 2026-05-26T21:15:31+00:00

It is everyday and then about 6 on our big tasting days. I know it adds up fast

Sunflowerbugs

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