How can I take a leave of absence from work for migraines?
I suffer from migraines and have for about two years now. I recently used up all of my FMLA. My employer has notified me of a disabilities act which may protect me while my FMLA is re-accruing but think I need to take a leave of absence and see a neurologist to see what I can to do get better. It is very difficult for me to function at work when I have a migraine. I think I need to take time to get better. I'm not sure how to approach my leave of absence request or whether migraines apply to leave of absence. Any knowledge on the matter would be really helpful. Thanks.
FMLA for ocular migraines and scoliosis?
If your company is required to follow FMLA and you have worked more than 1250 hours in the last year, then most likely you would qualify for FMLA. Any illness, injury or disease that requires a doctors visit more than twice a year and has a regimen of continuing treatment (i.e. prescription meds, physical therapy, pain management) normally qualify. If you qualify, you are entitled to 12 weeks per leave year... yours would more than likely be an intermittent FMLA leave.
Do you think there is FMLA abuse?
Yes there is always abuse and unfortunately employers have little room to act on it because of the Laws that protect the employees. Honestly almost anything that you go to your doctor for and receive some form of treatment qualifies as an FMLA. Diabetes, High blood pressure, vertigo, Depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, migraines, cramping... the list goes on and on, some are really serious, and some claims are obviously abuse! Ive even seen claims for toe nail fungus and minor constipation that Ive had to approve. Keep your head up, just have pride in yourself that you are staying honest and not lying and cheating others! -Edited- I saw something in anothers answers here and it really kind of chapped me a little. First off FMLA was designed to protect an employee's job should a medical situation arise. By Federal law employers have the choice to allow an employee to use thier PTO during their leave. In my time I have seen MANY employers force thier employees to go unpaid for months while on FMLA becuase that was policy. One person was to the point of almost loosing her home, but had over 800 hours of sick and vacation time in her leave bank. Also keep in mind that employers are REQUIRED to treat all employees the same. So while it may have benefited you to take unpaid leave while on FMLA, to most... it would have been the difference of eating or starving.
As a chronic migraine sufferer, how have you managed to be successful in your life and career?
My neurologist gave me a magical medication called Verapamil. If I take 2 of them in the morning and again at bedtime, I don't get migraines at all (providing I don't take any painkillers).Of course I have other health issues which keep me disabled so I will never be "successful in my life and career" but I am not being held back by my chronic migraines unless I miss a couple of doses and take painkillers like I did this week. Because I was careless I have spent today in bed with a migraine. This was my first since 6 months ago, when I was in the hospital after surgery. That was the medical staff's doing, not mine. They took me off the Verapamil and gave me tylenol every 6 hours for a week. I was in agony for a week after that as I tried to get myself back out of the pain cycle.
If you've had a true "migraine", can you suck it up & go to work or have to lie in bed all day?
I don't belive anyone with a true migraine can "suck it up." When I have one I have extreme nausea, dizzyness, throbbing eye and head, face and neck pain, my body shakes, sometimes I have chills. Sounds and light make my symptoms worse so in my case I have to go to bed. I have missed as much as 4 days from work due to migraines and once I had so much pain that I truly wanted to die. I would go through labor with nothing for pain which I did twice than have a migraine. Everyone has different levels of pain resistance, but I don't believe anyone who has ever had a migraine would act that way to you. So if they really can work with a migraine, good for them, most people can't. Don't let them get to you, if they say anything about it to you, ignore them and next time don't apologize for something you have no control over.
Question about the FMLA?
The short answer is "Yes". HOWEVER... just because they are covered under FMLA doesn't mean that your employer is large enough to have to grant FMLA. Your employer must employ over 50 people. You also have to have been employed over a year and have worked 1250 hours within the past year. *THEN* you have to get your Dr. to fill out a TON of paperwork saying that your issues are so life altering that you require ongoing treatment and should be eligible for FMLA. Be prepared to PAY for the Dr. to fill out that paperwork because many of them charge anywhere from $20 to $50 to do so. I have FMLA for migraines, depression and anxiety. I've been treated for these issues since before I was employed with my current employer. I have extensive documentation showing my treatment. *IF* you are going to ask for FMLA make sure you get your ducks in a row before doing so. Please know that FMLA is **NOT** a "get out of work free" card. It is intended for you to use to insure your health and well being so that you can continue to be a positive asset to your company. Be prepared to submit proof if you ever use FMLA when calling in. They can and WILL ask for it! BTW- since you seem to be experiencing some depression and you say you work nights you might want to ask your Dr. about giving you a prescription for vitamin D. If you are working nights then I'm assuming that you are sleeping during the day and not getting out in the sun. Humans get their vitamin D from the sun. A vitamin D deficiency can cause the same symptoms as depression. Good Luck! <3!
FMLA and disciplinary action?
My mom works in a hospital. The other day, she passed out at work and was taken to the ER. She has had an ongoing problem with getting lightheaded and is under medical care by several physicians while they try to figure out what is wrong. It is suspected that she is having TIAs (mini-strokes). According to work policy, after so many absences, you are written up and suspended for 3 days without pay. Well, her boss just told her she is now written up and must take 3 days off without pay. My mom explained that she is in the process of filing for intermittent FMLA for this ongoing problem, but the boss just told her that until the paperwork is in and approved, she is still under disciplinary action. The people in HR act like they don't know what the policy is. What can she do to fight this? Am I wrong in thinking that any disciplinary action must be put on hold until the paperwork is either approved or denied? She is freaking out about having 3 days off with no pay, and with her health, she really needs to try to remain calm. What should we do to fix this?? Thanks!
Does walgreens have FMLA? I ask because I might be getting fired due to my absence from chronic migraines.?
I went to work yesterday with a migraine and after less then 15 min I was asking to go home. I just could not stay. I was bawling my eyes out. My boss more or less told me I was faking and threatend my job. Saying I have had to many migraines and need to control them. I am of course calling employee relations tomarrow but I am now reading online that migraines are sometimes covered by the Family medical leave act. I need to know if this is true for Walgreens. He was also overheard saying " he has no sympathy for people with 'headaches' " so is there any such thing as discrimination of people with migraines? I have been with this company for three years and do not feel like my boss is being compasionate or understanding in the slightest.