Do I have legal protection against my employer discussing my medical situation with my clients?

What you need to do it ask for FMLA "Parental Bonding" leave. Parental bonding leave requires no certification and is basically a happy bonding vacation between you and your baby... as a matter of fact FMLA specifically states an employer is prohibited in asking for certification or doctors notes for "Parental Bonding" time. With that being said.....Your HR is correct in it asking for certification on "maternity" or "pregnancy" leave, because it relates to your health and healing time, and believe it or not, Pregnancy is considered a "Serious Health Condition" in regards to FMLA... and anything related to health, employers can require certification.

I think I wouldn't get to puffed up just yet... go back to HR and request the correct type of leave. P.s. If you decide to not come back to work after your 12 weeks leave to stay home with the baby... your company can come after you for any amount of health insurance they paid for you and your entire family.

A ton first time mom employees don't know that so I thought I would toss that out there as a heads up.

You are entitled to your full 12 weeks, no matter what your doctor or youre work says. Take this to HR and see if they don't sing a different tune to you: http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-... http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/w... All HR needs is your due date (ask your doctor for a letter stating that you are his patient and he verifies that your due date is xx-xx-xxxx) and a letter of release from your doctor when you DO come back from leave.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.