Anxiety

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

FMLA, you need to have the anxiety documented by your doc and then you can have days off under FMLA. You also need to file for this medical problem with your facility.

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

FMLA, you need to have the anxiety documented by your doc and then you can have days off under FMLA. You also need to file for this medical problem with your facility.

thanks, snowfreeze....

I was thinking about this.... does it cover intermittent days, or just blocks of time? And, do you have to be employed for a certain amount of time?

Because, basically, I have been missing 2 days here and there.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

How would you go about explaning abscences to your employer, when the reason for the missed days is anxiety? Are you required at most places to say why you were out? I was wondering if MY HIPAA rights have any validity here....lol I just want to make it clear I wasnt simply blowing off work on the weekend, I had a legitimate reeason (with a md note). But it seems like I cant have the best of both worlds.... can anyone advise? been a similar situation???

Your employer has a right to expect you to come to work when you are scheduled. You shouldn't have to give a reason why you were out, but you do have to adhere to the attendance policy.

FMLA guidelines *might* be applicable, but they are very specific.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/esa/Title_29/Part_825/29CFR825.203.htm discusses intermittent leave under FMLA. You need to seek out your HR rep.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

I don't think for intermittant absences here and there you need to tell them your personal business. If their policy is to have an MD note, then the MD can mere state "please excuse absence while under my care".

My employer requires MD notes if you miss three consequetive days in a row, which also includes a "may return to work" note. Missing a weekend or a few days here and there should not require an MD's note, but your facility may be different.

There have been times when I've been too stressed with work and couldn't face another day. Did I call in "mental health day because I'm stressed". Nope. I said "I'm sick". Sometimes they ask so as to track for infection control purposes and I tell a little white lie, or say "no you may not ask".

There's no need for you to have to disclose such a personal problem to anyone, unless it comes to the point of disciplinary action due to too many days out and you might need to go FLMA, or something like that.

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

Thanks tweety!!!

One more question..

suppose I go in to work, and they say "RN, you have been missing alot of days", and they give me a written warning, or whatever.......now, do I go fmla for those previous days, and any future ones, or does it only apply if I fill out the paperwork ahead of time?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

Very good question. Hopefully, someone who has been in that situation can help you.

But hopefully, you will get things under control and won't even have to explore those options. How about that??

Good luck!

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

*just trying to figure out what I should be doing, to protect myself, and to let them know whats up with me*

MS._Jen_RN, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

Thanks tweety!!!
One more question..
suppose I go in to work, and they say "RN, you have been missing alot of days", and they give me a written warning, or whatever.......now, do I go fmla for those previous days, and any future ones, or does it only apply if I fill out the paperwork ahead of time?

Fill it out ahead of time. At my facility, for a chronic problem, the MD note covers any absence filed for FMLA, for that condition, for three months. I have to take FMLA days r/t migranes, so they are intermittent. I have to file a paper with employee health for each one, they have the note on file, and my absence is "excused".

FMLA absences don't count toward attendance disipline. You can have up to 6 weeks cumulative FMLA in one year.

All that said, I'm not sure how much of that is my facility and haw much is the law. Check with your HR dept or Employee Health.

~Jen

chadash · Jun 23, 2006

How would you go about explaning abscences to your employer, when the reason for the missed days is anxiety? Are you required at most places to say why you were out? I was wondering if MY HIPAA rights have any validity here....lol I just want to make it clear I wasnt simply blowing off work on the weekend, I had a legitimate reeason (with a md note). But it seems like I cant have the best of both worlds.... can anyone advise? been a similar situation???

RNToday, are you getting some help with your anxiety?

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

RNToday, are you getting some help with your anxiety?

Yes, I am and thank you for asking. But my job is contributing to the anxiety, and the fact that I might not have one if I keep missing days is making me more anxious!!!!

I am a mess these days......... :uhoh3:

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2006

so what does your anxiety stem from