Should I apply for FMLA?

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christina0001
christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

Is there any reason for me to apply for FMLA? I work at a company of about 500 employees. My boss and coworkers have been super supportive since my diagnosis, and I was basically told to take off whatever time I need and they will cover for me. Having said that, I am hoping to take as little time off as possible. I am really dedicated to my job and it's going to have to be pretty bad for me to miss a day off. I am looking at having chemo for 6 treatments; not sure yet about surgery or radiation. I have a fair amount of PTO (about 150 hours). What are the pros and cons of applying for FMLA? I have a dread of human resources so I'd rather not do it unless there is a clear benefit.

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  • rosasmommy
    rosasmommy Member Posts: 814
    edited January 2012

    Definitely apply for FMLA!  FMLA gives you job protection.  You can't anticipate the future, and you want to make sure you are legally protected, even though your situation sounds supportive at the moment. 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2012

    Hi Christina,

    Here's what the main Breastcancer.org site says about FMLA on the Taking Time Off Work for Treatment page, with a link to the government site with more info:

    "The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows you to take up to 12 weeks unpaid leave to heal from a serious health condition while keeping any benefits you may have and maintaining your position with the company. However, the FMLA only covers companies that employ 50 or more people. Also, you must be a full-time employee and must be with the company for at least a year."

    Hope you find this helpful!

    --The Mods

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited January 2012

    I would strongly advise applying for "intermittent" FMLA, meaning you only take off when you need to, rather than take off the entire time you are on chemo.

    You need to have been there at least 1 year.

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  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited January 2012

    Unfortunately, in today's corporate world sometimes our great understanding bosses don't have the control. Definitely apput in the paperwork for FMLA. My direct supervisor is great but company time off is not controlled by him. Even unpaid time off and/or schedule adjustments have to go through the main HOUR person and she's not so accomodating. I think the only reason I still have a job is because they are afraid to do anything because I filled out the FMLA paperwork (remember they might have to give you the time off but they can find any other reason to let you go if they want).

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  • fairweather9
    fairweather9 Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2012

    Do the FLMA,

    My boss is very supportive also, lets me out early for treatments etc.  But we use the FLMA when I am going to miss an entire day.  The paperwork can be a pain but as others have said it does cover your butt.  For example what if my supportive boss was somehow replaced by another less understanding person, I would have paperwork on file and would not have to worry about missing to many days.  

    Also remember as much as you may love your job or are devoted to it you really have to give yourself a break every now and then if you can and FLMA will let you do that without the time counting against you.

     

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  • shmget
    shmget Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2012

    I agree with the others about intermittent FMLA.  I just joined this board, my wife is also on here and going through breast cancer.  While I'm her caregiver, FMLA is the first thing I filed for once we found out her diagnosis and treatment plan.  I only had to use about 6 hours last year as she was going through her treatments, but it definitely will help.  Even though I have had very understanding employers, you just never know.  FMLA is a little extra protection to make sure you don't have to worry about job loss while you are going through these things.

    You will want to do this soon so that it is in place if you need it.  The doctors that my wife has have been very helpful in supplying whatever information was needed to complete the paperwork.

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited February 2012

    I spoke with HR and my boss, and they are putting me on intermittent FMLA starting 2/13, the day my chemo starts. They were super nice about it, no questions asked. I have to call them to confirm a couple of things but so far it seems to be okay. Thanks for all the responses.

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