Question:
HOW MUVCH TIME OFF FROM WORK IS GENERALLY REQUIRED, AND WHAT PROTECTS YOUR JOB?

JUST WONDERING WHAT THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME OUT OF WORK IS AND WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BESURE YOUR JOB IS PRTECTED?    — ROBERT B. (posted on August 8, 2002)


August 8, 2002
As far as the time off work, it varies for everyone. I know people that were back to work in a week. Other people have been out of work for months. As far as protecting your job, there is a law called FMLA that protectes your job. Before you go out, you need to meet with your Human Resources Dept. and tell them that you need to put in for FMLA. This law gurantees you your job or an equivelant job at the same rate of pay. You cannot be fired for any reason while you are covered by FMLA.
   — Ammy T.

August 8, 2002
FMLA only works if you have been employeed with the company for 12 months and at full-time....Best of luck!
   — karmiausnic

August 8, 2002
I am not full time, and my job is protected through the FMLA. It does however go by how many hours you have worked in a certain time frame and how long you have been employed. I don't know if it is the same everywhere, but we only get 12 weeks protection, (which you shouldn't need unless there are complications). I am taking 6 weeks for an open RNY, but I know people go back sooner. I am responsible for CPR and such that I felt it was safer to be off, for me and my patients! Good Luck!
   — Terri Z.

August 8, 2002
I had an Open RNY on a Thursday,left the hospital on the following Monday and was out of work for the next four weeks. I have a fairly comfortable desk job in human resources. Yes, FMLA will cover you for up to twelve weeks regardless of your f/t or p/t status. Keep in mind that companies who employ LESS than 50 individuals are not required to provide job protection under FMLA. Best wishes on your surgery!
   — PaulaM

August 8, 2002
I had lap rny in May and I was back to work in 14 days with no problems. This fell under short term dissability for my job so there was no problems.
   — Linda A.

August 9, 2002
I had Open RNY and was able to return to work full time in two weeks. I had no problems at all. - was just tired and needed a nap at the end of the day. But that ended after a couple of weeks. My company gave me the time off with pay so I really didn't have to worry about job security. If your company is large enough you shoud qualify for a leave without pay if you don't have enough paid time off - or you might qualify for short-term disability.
   — Patty_Butler

August 9, 2002
You're getting a lot of conflicting information. First, FMLA stands for Family Medical Leave ACT. When talking about using it, you are taking FML. Then general guidelines are: 12 months employment and meeting a MINIMUM number of hours in the last 12 months. You are allowed to take UP to 12 weeks off with no fear of losing your job or a job in the same class and pay scale. If you take 12 weeks and 1 day, they can then begin counting the time against you. Also, this does NOT mean you will receive the time off PAID. If you have the leave accumulated, then you can take it, but otherwise the leave will be unpaid. Another aspect is that during the time you are gone, you CANNOT be judged or evaluated for the job you are expected to do or quotas you would normally be expected to meet. So if you are in sales, you will not be evaluated for the time you are off on FML. As far as the amount of time off, you can take as much as you have to. What I mean by that is, if you can only take 2 weeks off, you MAKE yourself be ready in 2 weeks. I think 4 or 6 weeks is REDICULOUS unless you have a physical job. But honestly, how many MO's have those kind of jobs??? I think you should plan on taking as LITTLE time as possible, that way you force youself to get better sooner and don't just lay around and get lazy. I took 2 weeks off and even had complications. When I came backt to work, I had to force myself to work all day and have a great attitude! You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Hope this helps!!!
   — Robby E.

August 9, 2002
I had an open RNY, however I had some complications and was in the hospital a little longer. After the surgery I was pretty sick and unable to work. I would suggest to make plans to be out 6 weeks, then if you come back earlier it is ok. Personally my doctor would not release me for 8 weeks, and then for only part time. And I just have a desk job. Not to scare you, but you have to always look at all the scenarios and BE PREPARED. Boy have I learned that one. Take Care :) PS... I am feeling absolutely great now at almost 5 months out.
   — smedley200

August 9, 2002
Yes, the FMLA protects you but I have to disagree with Robby as to when to return to work. You cannot MAKE yourself heal any faster than your body is ready for. As you have seen in the website there are so many different kinds of surgery and different kinds of people. Some surgeries are easy to heal from while others are pretty tuff. And yes it does matter what kind of job you have to go back to. Mine is a very streneous job and is 12 plus hours long. I also had an open RNY. For the first 4 weeks I was exhausted by just walking down the street. By 6 weeks I felt really good BUT I went ahead and took a total of 8 weeks off and let me tell you, my first day back was a bear and I was never so exhausted in my life! SO don't compare your healing time to anyone. You need to follow what YOUR body tells you and my advice is don't push yourself! This is MAJOR surgery folks! Give yourself time to heal and that will start your new healthy life. God bless you!
   — Gina D.




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