Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can help people with COPD protect their job, obtain up to 12 weeks unpaid leave, and retain health benefits. The FMLA law only covers public agencies, schools, and companies with 50 or more employees.
As your COPD progresses, you may need more time off for doctors appointments and intermittent illnesses. To understand the FMLA read through some of the following articles.
The Family and Medical Leave Act is explained, in depth, by the United States Department of Labor at: http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-fmla.htm
An easier to understand FMLA Employee Guide is available to download in English or Spanish at: http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/employeeguide.htm
Tips from my personal experience with FMLA
* Talk to your HR person. Get a copy of the form requesting FMLA, and the form to be completed by your doctor.
*I gave the doctor two copies of the form. One copy was blank so he could complete it. The second copy I had completed, except for the signature. I wanted him to see the important parts. Which were:
1.) Check intermittent leave.
2.) Indicate that I had a serious health condition which will require me to intermittently miss work for a chronic condition and required health care (doctors appointments and pulmonary rehabilitation).
*I was required to reapply annually, so kept in mind two things:
1.) That I had worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to requesting leave. Note: If I hadn't worked those hours, I could loose FMLA. Loosing FMLA means I could loose my job and my benefits.
2.) Prior to annual FMLA renewal date I needed to have paperwork ready to be submitted, including the one by the doctor.
To be more aware of ways your employers might view FMLA , see advice for supervisors in the article "FMLA: 13 ways to stop intermittent-leave abuse" at http://www.hrmorning.com/fmla-13-ways-to-stop-intermittent-leave-abuse/
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