how do i file for stress leave?
A Reader Asks This Question:
I want to file for stress leave at work, but I am not sure how to do it. I have visited all sorts of web sites, but I cant find the right information. i want to do it through the state, not an attorney. My workplace is hostile and is causing me to have panic attacks and losing sleep and general unhappiness. Any one know? What about filing a grievance???
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8 Responses to how do i file for stress leave?
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I went out on stress leave, but they sent me emails and called me telling me that I didn’t follow the right protocol for calling in even though I called the next day and let them know. It really felt like there were harrassing me. After all of this, I really feel like I need some time to get better, but I am just on FMLA and not on anything that pays me $$ for my leave. I don’t know if it would be STD or Worker’s Comp. At any rate, I feel really angry about the whole thing. Being abused at work and then have to take a leave to recuperate is ridiculous. I get worried about how I am going to be able to go back or get another job. Right now I really need to feel better. It has been difficult. Working should not hurt so much.
Jenny, don’t listen to @buck s. File yourself a worker’s comp claim and you can’t be fired or it will be retaliation. Filing the claim will put you in a protected class. download my free report in the upper right corner of this page. “10 Things That Managers Do To Get Sued…And Lose In Court”
Jenny,
What you do is you go see your doctor and get a note stating that he recommends you take a medical leave from work. You then take that to HR and they are required to process it. Now, whether or not you are entitled to short term disability pay is a different matter because that is a benefit not all employers have for their workers.
Panic Disorder eh? I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I found salvation when I got on the right med! I wish you luck! The best non-med technique is to face your fears! Whatever makes you panic is that you must face daily!! The more often you face it, the weaker the attacks get. Do it long enough and they will be mild or disappear! It works!!
Best,
– Liam
You need to go see your Doctor. You may feel that work is causing your problems, but 99% of the time there are other contributing factors as well. If, in fact, the stress is work-related, it is NOT FMLA as mentioned above, it is worker’s comp. I know you didn’t ask for an opinion here, but I’m going to give you one – taking a ‘stress leave’ is not going to solve your stress problem, it is only going to delay your need to confront the source of the problem. The real answer is speaking with your supervisor or HR, or just finding another job in a better environment.
Go to your doctor, stress can be diagnosed as anxiety or depression, depending on your symptoms. Then if your company is large enough, and you have worked long enough you may be able to qualify for FMLA leave based on illness.
About a grievance, go to your HR department and file a claim, they will have to investigate, but I doubt that will change many things.
Your best bet is to get FMLA leave and use half of it to look for a new job.
I dont know where you are from…but in Houston I just take screenings with my doctor and take me out of work… if I am really stressing about two weeks at the most.
You should be able to file something under Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). You have to work 1250 hours and after that you are eligible for FMLA. You need to go to your physician and he/she needs to diagnose you with stress and needs to state that you need some time off.
If it is really bad find another job.
jenny , normaly i do not answer questions like this , but this one i found interesting .
as a employer my self i take great pride in how my employees are treated , and as such when one has a valid reason as to why they are stressed i would want to know about it !! , i’m positive your employer would also , now with that said . most states are known as employed at will states meaning at any time for any reason other then those outlined under law ( age , race ,religion ) a employer or employee may terminate the employment with or with out cause ..