[JustJace2u]

Anyone have any insight or experience on FMLA when it comes to mental illness? I have to do something because at some point I'm sure my boss is gonna start asking questions.

[Daonnachd]

Directly, I have no experience, but I have a suspicion.

When I went out last year for a couple of months while doing ECT, I felt I had to tell my boss what was going on. I got the sense that she now feels she cannot let me go because she has been explicitly told what condition I'm dealing with. Of course, she's generally a cool person anyhow, so that likely plays into it, but I do believe that once aware of the condition, an employer has to have rock-solid reasons for dismissal.

[JustJace2u]

That's kinda what I figure. I know employers can't discriminate on the basis of a disability.

[Cavegirl]

It's pretty easy. You get up to 12 weeks per year either straight, split up, or intermittent. Intermittent would be if you need it for taking days of that just pop up. Works towards lateness' as well.

All I've had to do in the past was get a letter from my pdoc stating, in my case, that due to my illness it would sometimes be necessary to take off X number of days off per month. Human Resources will give you a fax number to whomever it is that makes the decisions. Both you and Human Resources will get the verdict back pretty quickly. When your FMLA is approved and you are taking the day off, you need to call both FMLA and Human Resources. All I've had to say in the past is. "i'm taking off for an FMLA day". That was all. You are covered. I would suggest you file for it if you are in need. It's there if you need it. Less stress on your part.

I hope this helps you,

[JustJace2u]

Yes, that helps. Thanks! My biggest concern was whether it was technically covered under FMLA.

[hopeless2015]

I have intermittent fmla, no questions asked

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[Anxiousvalkyrie]

I have been on FMLA before, several times, back when I lived in the states. Technically it is supposed to protect you from being fired from your job if you are out for health issues. If you live in a 'right to work' state you can still be fired even if you have FMLA approval. I lived in NC, which is a 'right to work' state ('right to work' states also means that employers can 'fire at will' without cause) and I lost two different jobs even though I was out on FMLA. My dad is an attorney and unfortunately because I lived in NC they could fire me regardless because they didn't have to have a reason to fire me based on the legalities of being a 'right to work' state. My dad has one of the biggest law firms in NC and he had his best employment attorney look at my case.

It's something to definitely look into. One of the employers that fired me I thought totally had my back and still fired me because of my medical problems, the other...well...they were just a-holes.

One of my best friends in NC also got fired while bei out on FMLA. She had major depressive disorder. Hopefully you have a good relationship with your company, and hopefully you don't live in a right to work state.

I know FMLA has worked and been great for a lot of people, I just had bad experiences in NC.

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by Anxiousvalkyrie

I have been on FMLA before, several times, back when I lived in the states. Technically it is supposed to protect you from being fired from your job if you are out for health issues. If you live in a 'right to work' state you can still be fired even if you have FMLA approval. I lived in NC, which is a 'right to work' state ('right to work' states also means that employers can 'fire at will' without cause) and I lost two different jobs even though I was out on FMLA. My dad is an attorney and unfortunately because I lived in NC they could fire me regardless because they didn't have to have a reason to fire me based on the legalities of being a 'right to work' state. My dad has one of the biggest law firms in NC and he had his best employment attorney look at my case.

It's something to definitely look into. One of the employers that fired me I thought totally had my back and still fired me because of my medical problems, the other...well...they were just a-holes.

One of my best friends in NC also got fired while bei out on FMLA. She had major depressive disorder. Hopefully you have a good relationship with your company, and hopefully you don't live in a right to work state.

I know FMLA has worked and been great for a lot of people, I just had bad experiences in NC.

Yeah, I live in Illinois which is also a RTW state. I do have a pretty good relationship w/ my supervisor, and she knows about some other health issues I have dealt with, along with having Spina Bifida, I also have some GI related issues. This is just another thing to add to the mix.

The company can't afford to fire me, they're short staffed as it is and can't find anyone to replace the 2 people we've lost in the last few months. Hence, the rest of us have to pick up the slack and work overtime.

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

Anyone have any insight or experience on FMLA when it comes to mental illness? I have to do something because at some point I'm sure my boss is gonna start asking questions.

Usually there is paperwork to fill out for FMLA, and you need to have your doctor sign off on that. So your human resource department would know, and your boss probably would know.

I burned through 12 weeks of FMLA in one of my jobs, and I was always filling out the paperwork for my doctor and having him sign off on it.

[BipolarMama31]

Im in NC and have used fmla before. My company has us file through MetLife all the dr paperwork. Talk to HR to see what your company does.

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