I have recently started a new job . I am on 3rd week my orientation . My orientation is around 10 weeks.Due to some family reason, I must have to go my country at least for 3- 4 weeks . But I haven't talk to my manager yet because I am scared that it will be very inappropriate and have a fear of being fired from job. I am planning to talk to her after my orientation is over . Do you think its appropriate to discuss about the leave for 4 weeks after orientation.
Please share your ideas. I must go to my country within next 2 months and in a same time I don't want to lose my job .
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
FMLA is not for grandparents only parents, spouse, children so that would be of no help in your case. Bereavement for a grandparent is 1-2 days. It's very unlikely an employer will grant 4+ weeks leave for an elderly grandparent with a terminal illness that lives overseas.
Unfortunately, the others are right as far as FMLA and grandparents and bereavement time.
It would have to be under extreme circumstances, if ever, that more bereavement time be alloted. I know that a coworker of mine was given "as long as she needed" after her husband died tragically and unexpectedly. However, she didn't take advantage of that and returned after a week and a half.
I imagine the bereavement policy is in place and usually enforced so that it's fair to everyone, as there are people (sadly) who would attempt to abuse any exceptions granted to them.
I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through. Unfortunately other responses you have received are probably right. Your odds of being granted significant leave to travel overseas for an ill grandparent are pretty small. Best case scenario is your employer may be willing to defer your orientation until you return if you are not too far into it. It may come down to a difficult choice for you though, keep your job or go see your Grandfather. Whatever the outcome, good luck to you. I hope you are able to keep your job and fulfill your family obligations. Best wishes to your family.
Unfortunately, I think this very issue has proved to be a barrier to American organizations hiring foreign nurses. I'm sorry, OP, I don't mean to offend. But when an employee's family emergency = weeks/months of leave as opposed to days (due to travel issues), employers are reluctant to hire.
one of my grandparents had been hospitalized number of times in past 45 days ..He is a patient with terminal illness (((
Usually, after 12 months you would be allowed up to 12 weeks of leave, however, only for immediate family and not grandparents. Grandparents only count if you were their immediate caretaker.
You are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Either quit your position (with about 90% certainty this is probably one of the options they will give you) and see your grandparent, or don't leave and keep your position.
3-4 weeks is rare even for people with seniority, let alone new hires.
You can ask for whatever you like. But know that with only a few weeks of employment under your belt, they don't HAVE to grant you anything. I too am curious how much of an emergency this is if you have such flexibility about when you have to go...
I do have family emergency and I am not making up. Please don't get me wrong. I came to know about this situation once I started this job.So at this point I really don't know what to do and what not to do . I am wondering how soon I can ask for a leave(unpaid) and for how long I can ask at a time ?
You need to tell them ASAP...if you withhold that there is an emergency and you are expected to leave the country it won't sit well if they find out you knew way before telling them. I don't know why it's so darn hard; ya know, the truth!
Yes, as others said it would be very unusual but, who knows, if you're honest with them. I do know that if you finish orientation and than put in your request the first question they will ask you is when you first knew you had to leave...
work77
43 Posts
Thank you all or your help.
one of my grandparents had been hospitalized number of times in past 45 days ..He is a patient with terminal illness
(((