Aa
Getting fmla for work?
Was wundering if I had to get an fmla for work they are going to find out bout hep c, can you be sent home if they find out because Dr. said no one has to know my condition...
Where I work at people abuse the fmla allot and my employer treats them better than people with no fmla..
I WAS a RN when I did my 48 wks of tx in 2010, I was exposed on the job so I chose to tell my employer. I worked 12 hr shifts at the time so they agreed to SET my schedule st that when I took my shot on wed I'd be off wed Thur Fri and sat and return to work at 7p on sunday and work 7p-7a sun Mon and Tue. I did apply and was immed approved for intermittent FMLA, which meant ANY day I was TOO sick to come to work, and there were MANY my job was PROTECTED. Word of warning, NO EMPLOYER LIKES AN EMPLOYEE WHO !ISSES WORK FOR ANY REASON. And once my ILLNESS ended but docs had given me anotnher year of fmla just in case i had post interferon sydrme issues (and boy do I EVER 2+ yrs posttx) believe me the FOUND (or fabricate is a better word) a reason to get rid of me. I KNOW this because one day while on the phone dealing with said fabricate issue w 2 H.R employees on speaker phone when we concluded our conversation they forgot to hang up the speaker pH and I could clearly hear them discussing our conversation and their "plans" to "get rid of me" because of the FMLA...side note: my sister who worked as a manager at fed ex at the time to old me to start looking as she had been told on occasion to FIND/MAKE a reason to "get rid of"employees on FMLA...THIS IS JUST MY EXPERINCE AND HAD NOTHING TO DO W THE HEP C BUT RATHER THE TIME MISSED FROM WORK DUE TO FMLA
Some very good advice above. If you have a compassionate employer that is willing to work with you during trt, that will help if you have some rough days or weeks that your need some extra rest. If your employer's demands are very high and taking a day off, or several hours off to visit your doctor is not ok with them, your time during trt will be more difficult. Its nice to have the flexibility and FMLA provides that option if you really need it.
I did SOC trt for 48 wks and only missed work for doctors appointments. I was lucky that my job isn't physically challenging, but is very demanding mentally. I muddied through it without having to disclose anything, which is the way I wanted it. Choosing who to tell at work is very personal and what works for one, doesn't work for all.
I did SOC trt for 48 wks and only missed work for doctors appointments. I was lucky that my job isn't physically challenging, but is very demanding mentally. I muddied through it without having to disclose anything, which is the way I wanted it. Choosing who to tell at work is very personal and what works for one, doesn't work for all.
Hi there,
Before I did triple therapy, I researched my company policy. Part of FMLA was something called intermittent FMLA. Using a doctors note upfront, I would be able to call in sick and not get dinged (point system). As it turned out I did not need to use it.
I did have a conversation with an immediate supervisor that I trusted. I let him know that I would be taking some very strong medications and if I thought my job performance suffered I would go to HR. I never disclosed my illness, and my coworkers knew I was fighting to keep it all together. I fainted at work one day; not good. Bottom line, I made it. Only had to call in sick once.
I was at F0 and everyone will be different.
I am wishing you the very best. FMLA is there for your security,
C
Before I did triple therapy, I researched my company policy. Part of FMLA was something called intermittent FMLA. Using a doctors note upfront, I would be able to call in sick and not get dinged (point system). As it turned out I did not need to use it.
I did have a conversation with an immediate supervisor that I trusted. I let him know that I would be taking some very strong medications and if I thought my job performance suffered I would go to HR. I never disclosed my illness, and my coworkers knew I was fighting to keep it all together. I fainted at work one day; not good. Bottom line, I made it. Only had to call in sick once.
I was at F0 and everyone will be different.
I am wishing you the very best. FMLA is there for your security,
C
With the newer treatments so close I hope you will wait for them.
Many did not have a choice
Many did not have a choice
You are doing the best thing possible, looking at your options, knowing what is available, having a back up plan, all really good ideas.
My best
Dee
My best
Dee
Yes I do agree, I do agree, My employer is very strict on restrictions, any at all and they will not let you come back to work till they are all lifted and also depending on medication but we are not random urine test only if hurt on job and don't beleive any of these meds are tested for, Right now now one knows of my condition and will not know.... Thanks for the advice, I believe I will stay way from fmla for now....
Everyone above has given you the best advice. Your doctor is right no one needs to know.
My best to you
Dee
My best to you
Dee
The side effects of treatment are different for everyone. Since you are already diagnosed with stage 3-4, I hope that you will be waiting until Feb to see the hepatologist before deciding what Hep C treatment to take, since the triple tx (Interferon, Ribavirin, and a protease inhibitor like Incivek or Victrellis) are so much more difficult in terms of length of treatment and side effects than the newer treatments that are likely to be approved next month and likely to be available early in 2014. Regardless of whether you decide to do a triple tx or a newer therapy, however, you will be using Interferon because you are G 1.
My husband has treated three times in 6 years with Interferon based treatments. The first was Interferon and Ribavirin, the second was Consensus Interferon and Ribavirin, and the third was triple tx (Interferon, Ribavirin, and Incivek). He was able to continue working full time throughout all three treatments, with only taking a day or two off here and there when he wasn't feeling well (e.g. nausea for a day or two, anemic and lightheaded for a day or two). It is not a walk in the park, but many people are able to work full time. His job is a very physically demanding job too.
If I were you, I would slow down and take it step by step. First, tell your gastroenterologist that you want to wait to decide about treatment until you learn more about the new treatments that are probably going to be approved in December and until you see the hepatologist in February. Second, don't tell anyone at work about your Hep C and possible treatment until you learn more about which treatment you are going to do, what the possible side effects might be, when you are going to start, etc. Given the complication of your iron levels and your kidney concerns, it is best to get in to see that hepatologist before you start any treatment.
It is sad, but there still is a very large stigma out there about Hep C, and your employer does not need to know your personal medical concerns. Neither do your co-workers. Unless of course you choose to tell them. It is very important to keep your health insurance, because these treatments are extremely costly, and thinking long term, liver disease and it's care can be extremely costly. My advice: slow down, take it step by step, and don't worry about FLMA, etc right now.
Advocate1955
My husband has treated three times in 6 years with Interferon based treatments. The first was Interferon and Ribavirin, the second was Consensus Interferon and Ribavirin, and the third was triple tx (Interferon, Ribavirin, and Incivek). He was able to continue working full time throughout all three treatments, with only taking a day or two off here and there when he wasn't feeling well (e.g. nausea for a day or two, anemic and lightheaded for a day or two). It is not a walk in the park, but many people are able to work full time. His job is a very physically demanding job too.
If I were you, I would slow down and take it step by step. First, tell your gastroenterologist that you want to wait to decide about treatment until you learn more about the new treatments that are probably going to be approved in December and until you see the hepatologist in February. Second, don't tell anyone at work about your Hep C and possible treatment until you learn more about which treatment you are going to do, what the possible side effects might be, when you are going to start, etc. Given the complication of your iron levels and your kidney concerns, it is best to get in to see that hepatologist before you start any treatment.
It is sad, but there still is a very large stigma out there about Hep C, and your employer does not need to know your personal medical concerns. Neither do your co-workers. Unless of course you choose to tell them. It is very important to keep your health insurance, because these treatments are extremely costly, and thinking long term, liver disease and it's care can be extremely costly. My advice: slow down, take it step by step, and don't worry about FLMA, etc right now.
Advocate1955
You can request that your doctor's note is as vague as possible. They do this all the time so any doctor should know how to word it. Basically the note needs to say you are under the care of the doctor from such and such date to whatever date.
You personal health information needs to be legally kept private. But it can depend upon the business you work for how private it actually is. That is why I recommend a note stating in general terms you are under the care of your doctor and can not work during certain dates.
"As a general rule, an employer should never ask about an employee’s underlying medical condition or diagnosis, either orally or in writing. If the employee has a serious medical condition, the leave may be protected by FMLA. The FMLA regulations expressly state that an employer can require an employee’s health care provider to provide a statement or description of appropriate medical facts regarding the employee’s health condition in connection with evaluating the applicability of the FMLA and that such facts may include information on symptoms and the employee’s "diagnosis," among other things. 29 C.F.R. § 825.306(a)(3). But this regulation does not mean that management can ask the employee directly about that diagnosis. And the regulation does not require the employee’s health care provider to provide the diagnosis in order for FMLA leave to be approved."
Good luck to you.
Hector
You personal health information needs to be legally kept private. But it can depend upon the business you work for how private it actually is. That is why I recommend a note stating in general terms you are under the care of your doctor and can not work during certain dates.
"As a general rule, an employer should never ask about an employee’s underlying medical condition or diagnosis, either orally or in writing. If the employee has a serious medical condition, the leave may be protected by FMLA. The FMLA regulations expressly state that an employer can require an employee’s health care provider to provide a statement or description of appropriate medical facts regarding the employee’s health condition in connection with evaluating the applicability of the FMLA and that such facts may include information on symptoms and the employee’s "diagnosis," among other things. 29 C.F.R. § 825.306(a)(3). But this regulation does not mean that management can ask the employee directly about that diagnosis. And the regulation does not require the employee’s health care provider to provide the diagnosis in order for FMLA leave to be approved."
Good luck to you.
Hector
Keep in mind one thing, depending on the type of work you do staying on the job might be the best thing you can do. My first treatment I did my shots on Friday then thought I would just lay around all weekend. Well it ended up the worse thing I did as getting off ones butt and staying as active as one can helps a whole lot working out the Interferon side effects.
The second time I treated I decided to take my shot on Sunday afternoon, by later in the evening I was having the sides from it. Went to bed early so I would get a lot of sleep then went to work on Monday morning. Forcing myself to get up and move made me feel a lot better and by Monday afternoon things were good. Of course a lot of this depends on how much physical work one does. It wasn't until later in treatment the anemia struck and made things much harder. A 12 week treatment would have been a breeze. Keep in mind staying active is the best thing one can do for the effects of Interferon.
The second time I treated I decided to take my shot on Sunday afternoon, by later in the evening I was having the sides from it. Went to bed early so I would get a lot of sleep then went to work on Monday morning. Forcing myself to get up and move made me feel a lot better and by Monday afternoon things were good. Of course a lot of this depends on how much physical work one does. It wasn't until later in treatment the anemia struck and made things much harder. A 12 week treatment would have been a breeze. Keep in mind staying active is the best thing one can do for the effects of Interferon.
Thanks man.I will be gettn the Dr to fill me one out because I get forced every other weekend to work and I here friday evening is best for the interferon...
Your employer does not need to know the exact reason. As a matter of fact you can get up to 12 weeks for many reasons.
http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statutes/fmla.htm
http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statutes/fmla.htm
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