FMLA

[cecilsgirl]

I was just curious, do you feel that your co-workers abuse either "sick" bennifits, or FMLA? Where I work there is a real problem with this, Also, Do you feel your place of work does enough ( or anything) to reward good attendence?

[cecilsgirl]

Thanks to all who answered back to this post, I too want to say I am a Breast Cancer survivor ( stage 2)-lymph node positive) and in 2004 when I went for treatment, I too , used FMLA, because my blood counts were low, and I didnt want to deal with MRSA ( for example) , I wanted to continue with my chemo, to help save my life, --ect.. so I totally understand the need for this, but having said this, Here is what I see at work now in 2010-, ( there are 500 employees where I work) Headaches, alleries, high blood pressure, ( and they don't want medication cause it could be stress related) so 3 weeks off to see if they can lower it without the help of medication, FMLA- I see people calling in with a dr's excuses cause they took their "Boyfriends" kid in to an ENT doc. and they need me to put gtts in, so I can't come in, ( not sure where the boyfirend is in this senerio)- nasel drainage, chronic, FMLA- you name it, we have it! but it will be the patients who pay for this in the long run- It will be the Nurses who do come in, who have tons of vacation time built up but get denied it cause the house "numbers" are down, I think FMLA was designed for something so much different than what it is used for today, But how can we change it? Write a congressman? just wondering ....?

[rn4ever?]

You have to apply for FMLA and need to have the proper documents for it to be approved. I used it before when I got hospitalized.

You couldn’t really tell if somebody is abusing it. For one, you don’t know what’s going on in someone else’s life-----unless you really are that close with your co-worker. Don’t bash the person who is sick or the person who needs time off because she needs to take care of a sick relative. It should be the staffing office’s responsibility to find coverage.

[AlsgalRN]

Thanks to all who answered back to this post, I too want to say I am a Breast Cancer survivor ( stage 2)-lymph node positive) and in 2004 when I went for treatment, I too , used FMLA, because my blood counts were low, and I didnt want to deal with MRSA ( for example) , I wanted to continue with my chemo, to help save my life, --ect.. so I totally understand the need for this, but having said this, Here is what I see at work now in 2010-, ( there are 500 employees where I work) Headaches, alleries, high blood pressure, ( and they don't want medication cause it could be stress related) so 3 weeks off to see if they can lower it without the help of medication, FMLA- I see people calling in with a dr's excuses cause they took their "Boyfriends" kid in to an ENT doc. and they need me to put gtts in, so I can't come in, ( not sure where the boyfirend is in this senerio)- nasel drainage, chronic, FMLA- you name it, we have it! but it will be the patients who pay for this in the long run- It will be the Nurses who do come in, who have tons of vacation time built up but get denied it cause the house "numbers" are down, I think FMLA was designed for something so much different than what it is used for today, But how can we change it? Write a congressman? just wondering ....?

I suggest that the problem is enforcement of the law by your employer. A doctor's note from an office visit is NOT FMLA without all of the other supporting paperwork. What can be done to make the rules be properly enforced for everyone?

I am glad you are a survivor. ( I was stage 1, neg node. I recently got a good 3 year check! I only have to see the oncologist and radiation oncologist annually! Whoohoo!) I was able to work through the whole treatment because I was able to do telephone triage. My patient contact was minimal. If my husband had been healthy, I would not have pushed myself so hard. I felt like I had to save every PTO hour and every day of FMLA. My employer does fool around. The law is followed very strictly. The second that my benefits are used up, I will have no job. Because I cannot afford COBRA, we will have no insurance. Hubby will have Medicare but I will have nothing.

I can understand your frustration. I hope your employer will get things tightened up.

Regards!

[virgo,student nurse, CNA]

You can get FMLA for anything that your MD deems a medical condition. If her allergies make her unable to work,then she is covered. It is abused all over. I see it every day being a house manager. Not much you can do if you know they are abusing it. SUCKS for those who are reall ill.