Re: Re:FMLA

[Guest guest]

Patty,

Thank you for reminding Sheila and the rest of us about the FMLA. For those

who don't know that stands for the Family Medical Leave Act. FMLA became

effective on August 5, 1993, and entitles eligible employees to take up to 12

weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified

family and medical reasons. For more information and criteria to qualify

please visit the PAI top5plus5 Library at:

<A

HREF= " http://www.top5plus5.com/Pancreas/FMLA%20Act/Family%20 & %20Medical%20Leave%\

20Act.htm " >http://www.top5plus5.com/Pancreas/FMLA%20Act/Family%20 &

%20Medical%20Leave%20Act.htm</A>

I am curious if there is anyone on this board who has in fact cashed in on

this employee benefit. Let us hear form you if you have experience with FMLA.

And, Patty, thanks again for your input.

Karyn E. , RN

Founder / Executive Director

Pancreatitis Association International

Corp. Office: Indps, IN, USA 1-

[Guest guest]

Karyn

I have in fact cashed in FMLA but for pregnancy leave. I never used it for

Cassie, had I been start I would have. Other thing to keep in mind FMLA only

gurantees your job, and benefits. It does not gurantee you pay, also most

employeers do require you pay for you portion of benefits even though you are

out and receive no pay. When I was dealing with this in my job, if we knew

it was coming up, maternity leaves, electivre surgeries etc.. I always tried

to get the employee to pay their portion of premiums prior to leave. I

always hated hitting someone on their 1st check back with a big deduction.

Also, if your requesting FMLA for self illness you may qualify for payment

from short term disability if your lucky enough to have that option.

Patty Hurst

Bangor, ME

Maine State Rep

PAI

[Guest guest]

Robin,

When you said, " The FMLA has also worked to allow me to use STD time at work

for doctor's appointments, " does that mean that you don't have to take it all

as an extended leave? That would be wonderful, because as we all know so much

time can be accrued in getting to all of the doctor's appointments.

I must say as someone who has worked in management for 25 years, that must be

a very difficult staffing / scheduling affair!! :-0 I am glad I no longer

have to handle that anymore.

Karyn E. , RN

Founder / Executive Director

Pancreatitis Association International

Corp. Office: Indps, IN, USA 1-

[Guest guest]

The FMLA has also worked to allow me to use STD time at work for doctor's

appointments, where normally I would have to use vacation time. I don't

know if this is the same everywhere, but it is how it works in land. I

just had to fill out a few times when I first became sick, and have my

doctor fill it out and that was it! Job guaranteed to be covered.

[Guest guest]

No I didn't need to use the time all at once, and I'm sort of glad this came

up because, if the forms I filled out were only for 12 mos., I might need to

fill them out again. I've got our HR person looking into it for me. I'll

let you know if I find out anything else. Robin

[Guest guest]

Karyn

Having addministered FMLA at my last job I can tell you the FMLA " does not

gaurentee you are going to get paid to go to DR's appointments. FMLA

garentees oyu get the time off you need and thats all. Most insurance

companies that administer STD will only come in and pay you for Dr's

appointments etc.. if you were 1st on full STD. Now that's not to say that

each state may have there own FMLA. and additional rules to apply.

Patty Hurst

Bangor, ME

Maine State Rep

PAI