WHY ME and MY JOB??????

I am totally at the end of my rope with my job!!!! I have been going round and round with them about getting time off. They first put a freeze on the ability to bank overtime in our vacation bank, so at that point I had 80+ hours in my bank along with sick hours, and annual leave I have enough hours to take off 4 weeks!!!! Just the time I need give or take a week. I was told yesterday that I could use LTD=Long Term Disability effective immediately, because I pay for it there is no time limit on the job to use it. The payments kick in after 14 days , as long as my supervisor approves the time off. As of yesterday I'm under the impression I can get a date in a few weeks or so. I left the message with my supervisor(on her voicemail, I work midnights) to let her know that I spoke with HR and could have the LTD, if its approved(which she originally said was ok BUT talk to HR first, I think she was hoping they would not approve). I also received a call from the asst. supervisor last night at home and was told "Put out a rumor that you have cancelled your surgery, and everything will fall into place, they will back off, they dont want to give you the time for weight loss surgery!!!" I put the rumor out last night to the main 2 snitches. I did get a phone call today from HR and Personnel clearly stating "YES YOU CAN USE LTD NOW BUT IF YOU TAKE ANY KIND OF LEAVE NOW, YOU WILL VOLUNTARILY TERMINATE YOUR POSITION WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN!" oK WHAT THE H3LL???? I am totally discouraged and frustrated. Sorry this was sooooooooooooo long but thanks for letting me vent, because my family and friends are tired of hearing about it! I've finally made up my mind to do this and I want it done, I hate to think my hold up is my job, not my tests, not my health, not even my insurance, just the HATERS at my JOB!!........................................Disgusted&Discouraged DIVA

Problem solvers. kp @ goal

First of all, if you need time off for medically necessary surgery, they are not allowed to deny you. Your surgeon just needs to state that you are having necessary surgery. The STATE, of all people, should know their HIPPA laws. They are not allowed to ask you about your specific medical condition. You are not required to divulge that info either. You could have your surgeon wirte you a new note, and you could say you had to postpone WLS for this other surgey(that is none of their business). If you have been there 12 months, then your job is protected by FMLA. I am not exactly sure of the differences between state employees and regular, but I am sure you would be protected. What is their problem? I see so many violations going on here that someone should get in trouble. HR needs to know what the law is. They obviously have issues. Secondly, There is STD and LTD. Are you sure you have the right one? For surgery, you would use STD. LTD is generally for ongoing, lengthy illnesses. I would go over someones head or do some searching online for the state guidelines. I will check as well. Your anger is justified. I will let you know if I come up with any info you can use.

Try this link. Lots of FMLA info. http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/

Try this one on HIPAA http://www.gcglaw.com/resources/employment/workplace.html

Well I've used STD at other jobs for a lap chole and a breast reduction and it also kicks in at 14 days but they only have LTD but it still kicks in at 14 days. And far as the union I was told you have to be on the job 1 year and so many hours like 1040 hours to get FMLA, I'm STILL FIGHTING. Diva

You DO have to be on the job a year as I stated in my previous response to be covered by FMLA. The do not have to guarantee you a job when you return if you do not meet the requirements. I would also thoroughly check their own policies.

Continue to fight! If they terminate you, you do have a law suit! My friend took of 3 days because it was doctor recommended for a medical procedure. It was approved by her manager and the HR dept at her work. Well, three weeks after her 3 day leave she was terminated, because someone had gotten word back to her boss that she took the leave to have an abortion. (Which was doctor reccommended because she had cervical cancer, and was advised not to have more children & got pregnant using birth control.) She fought them, they declined her Unemployment, so she got a laywer (FMLA appointented) and she got her unemployment payments very quickly and she also sued them and got $35,000 for them terminating her for a choice she made, that was a medical nessicity for her. So continue the fight! Jobs are a dime a dozen (ok maybe a long shot in Michigan right now) but YOU ONLY GET ONE LIFE! ~Sandy

I lost my job as a result of my WLS I got a letter while I was still in the hospital that terminated my employment because I did not come back after my two week vacation time, I knew better than to take any time off for the surgery as I had seen others fired for it. I am still thinking about filing suit against them. I spent 6 weeks in the hospital and 12 weeks on IV therapy after surgery so I wouldn't have been able to return to work for at least 16 weeks, they sent me my letter after I missed 3 days. By the way I just went out and found a new job . Crazy company!!!! Jill

hey is that a new pic for you? havent been around much so i might have missed a few things--looking killer wish i could be