From Played to Paid - Week 8

🍼 That moment you realize bonding with your baby might cost you more than diapers. 👶💸

Taking time off work—whether it's to welcome a child, recover from surgery, or care for a loved one—is emotional enough. But if you've ever gone on leave and then found yourself surprised by how your paycheck changed (or disappeared entirely)… you're not alone.

This week, we're diving into one of the biggest gaps between what employees expect and what actually happens: paid vs. unpaid leave. Because nothing says played by payroll like missing pay you didn’t realize wasn’t guaranteed.

What Is FMLA, Really?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that protects your job, not your paycheck. Under FMLA, eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for:

• Birth or adoption of a child

• Caring for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition

• Their own serious health condition

• Certain military-related circumstances

If you're covered, your employer has to hold your job (or a similar one) until you return—but they don’t have to pay you during that time.

The "Paid Leave" Illusion

Here's where confusion creeps in:

➡️ Many people hear “maternity leave” or “medical leave” and assume it’s paid.

➡️ Some companies do offer paid parental or medical leave—but it’s not required.

➡️ Others let you use sick time, vacation time, or PTO to cover unpaid leave.

➡️ Some states offer separate Paid Family Leave (PFL) or Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) programs that kick in—but they don’t apply everywhere.

So your paycheck during leave could be:

• Regular pay (if your company pays for some or all of your leave)

• Reduced pay (via partial benefits or PTO usage)

• Zero (if it’s completely unpaid)

Payroll Isn’t Ignoring You—The Math Is Just Ugly

When you’re on leave, payroll’s job is to follow the rules of your company and your state. 

That might mean:

• Switching you from regular pay to a reduced rate

• Stopping certain deductions (like transit benefits or retirement contributions)

• Tracking when your PTO runs out

• Coordinating with disability or paid family leave providers

And yes, your net pay will probably look different—because your gross pay changed.

How to Prepare Before You Go on Leave

• Talk to HR or Benefits. 

Ask about:

What type of leave you qualify for

Whether it’s paid, unpaid, or a mix

What paperwork you need to file

• Ask Payroll About Timing. 

When will your last regular paycheck hit?

When will any short-term disability or state benefits start?

• Know Your Paycheck Will Look Weird. 

  Your usual deductions may change—especially pre-tax ones like 401(k) or FSA.

  
  

• Budget for the Gap. 

  If there’s a lag between your last paycheck and any benefits starting, plan accordingly.

When You Come Back: Post-Leave Payroll Surprises

Returning to work doesn’t always mean a return to normal:

• You might have benefit deductions “catch up” if they were skipped during unpaid leave

• You might owe premiums for insurance that continued while you weren’t being paid

• Your PTO accruals may have paused during leave (check your policy)

The good news? Payroll pros are used to this—so if something looks off, ask for an earnings breakdown and explanation.

What Payroll Pros Wish You Knew

💬 "We want your paycheck to be right—We need accurate info and advance notice."

💬 "Unpaid leave doesn’t just stop your pay—It affects taxes, deductions, and more."

💬 "We can’t override leave policies—We can help you understand what to expect."

Takeaways: Leave Doesn’t Mean Left Behind

✅ FMLA protects your job, not your income

✅ Paid leave policies vary wildly by company and state

✅ Always ask questions before going out on leave

✅ Your paycheck may pause, shrink, or behave strangely—and it’s not personal

✅ Payroll’s here to help, not hide the math

If you’ve ever looked at your paycheck during leave and thought, “Wait, this can’t be right”—you’re not alone. And you're not powerless.

By learning how leave impacts your pay, you can plan smarter, stress less, and avoid surprises during an already stressful time.

Next week, we’re going behind the paycheck—to spotlight the payroll people who make all of this happen (even when it goes unnoticed). You won’t want to miss it!