Question:
Has anyone successfully extended STD benefits if not ready to go back to work?

I just learned yesterday that my boss screwed me out of a quarterly bonus I was supposed to receive in yesterday's pay check. He's had it in for me for awhile and has threatened my job and suggested I look for work outside the company. All of this within one week of my RNY surgery (8/18). My stress levels have been really high as I am about to lose my house and now my job. (I've been employed for 8 years with the co). New manager came aboard recently. Should I go to HR or plead with my surgeon to give me more time? Thanks in advance. Amy    — glasband (posted on August 23, 2008)

August 23, 2008
My HR Department told me it is up to the Surgeon to extend your return to work date, not HR. If your surgeon is willing to do that and give you a note in writing specifying an extension when you're allowed to return to work, you should be fine. Most companies have policies where they'll "hold" your job for a certain amount of time, then after that it's up for grabs potentially. You might want to ask HR what that time limit is.... (If) I remember correctly, my job would have been "held" for a maximum of 12weeks, (however I was out 2 or was it 3 weeks, as I work at home 4 days and go to office 1 day).
   — Gina S.

August 23, 2008
You might wanna consider speaking to HR (make sure you tell them that you wanna speak to them confidentially) about your boss. HR is obligated to speak to you confidentially without disclosing anything to your boss. If he/she is acting inappropriately, threatening, harassing, mistreating you, "out to get you" it may be in your best interest to let HR know. Hopefully others here with more knowledge than me about this subject will respond..... good luck and god bless you, congrats on your WLS!
   — Gina S.

August 23, 2008
If you are on Temporarily Disability your job should be safe as long as your doctor okays the time. I live in New Jersey and the Family Medical Leave Act protects my job for twelve weeks. I've been on Temporarily Disability since my surgery on July 17th. My return date back to work is September 8th. My doctor let me choose my return to work date, so I suggest you consult with your doctor and tell him you need more recovery time. Hope this has help. Good Luck and God Blesss.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 24, 2008
Take a note from your surgeon to HR. Let your surgeon know that a new boss is putting pressure on you and you are very stressed out. The HR director needs to know the new boss is threating your job. Tell them you have been with the company 8 years and never had a warning. You have always received your bonuses until now, and you have no explination other than the treat from your new boss that you should start looking for a new job. Tell them you feel you are be discriminated for because of your weight which you are addressing. Listen to what the HR director tells you. I am CEO of a compnay and my HR department controls these issues. I would not take lightly to a new manager threating a employee and our HR people would deal with it and bring the manager to my attention while protecting the idenity of the employee(s). Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

August 25, 2008
Amy, Bill is right you need to contact your HR department and explain the entire situation. Discrimination is something that no company wants to be accused of. The FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) gives you 12 weeks of safety during a medical or family medical emergency. As long as you are on FMLA and have a doctors letter concerning when you can go back they have to hold your job for you, but if as you said your new boss is "out to get you". You should be very careful, bosses like that have a tendency to "look" for excuses to get rid of people they don't like. Make sure that you keep in close contact with the HR department about your situation, be very honest and up front with them. Good luck with your job and your recovery! Cathy
   — brindledanes