Anyone ever have to take a leave of absence from work?

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,371
741
126
Who here had to take a leave of absence from their jobs due to either very high stress loads, anxiety issues, depression etc?

What was the process like and was it a paid leave of absence?


EDIT: Fixed bad spelling.;)
 

PowerEngineer

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2001
3,600
775
136

I know that there are federal laws about leaves of absence, and I expect that your state may also have leave of absence laws. Whether or not these will apply to your situation will depend in part on the size and anture of the company you work for. My recollection is that the leave laws protect your right to come back to your job without penalty (within a time limit) for specified reasons. Most do not require that this be a paid leave, although the laws may require that your company allow you to use accrued vacation and/or sick time during your leave. I agree that your HR department might be a good place to start.

Good luck!
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
0
I'm on leave of absence now, but it's for education... not really the same idea.

I'm sure if you just talk to HR and tell them you're not doing well upstairs they'll give you a break ;)
 

KarenMarie

Elite Member
Sep 20, 2003
14,372
6
81
go to the doctor... get a note excusing you from work ... this makes it illegal for you to return to work for the specified time... or until the doctor gives you a note, clearing you to return. It also makes it illegal for your job to fire you.

:)
 

OrByte

Diamond Member
Jul 21, 2000
9,303
144
106
yup your general practitioner would know about this. Go ask your doctor.

Doctors note can excuse you from ALOT.
 

kazeakuma

Golden Member
Feb 13, 2001
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I have, but the details I'd rather leave out. The best thing is to talk to your GP, they should know the steps that need to be taken. I live in Australia so our laws will be different. Your HR dept will be your next step but I would talk to your GP first.

If you want to ask about anything else to do with it, PM me and I'll give you as much information as I can. I just don't feel comfortable posting my personal life on these forums. Well not something as personal as this anyway.
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,371
741
126
My GP referred me to a pyschologist since he told me that a note from him would not be accepted at my job. I called my insurance carrier and they cover up to 60 sessions per year, with a $20 co-pay so I'll try one of the psychologist there first.

I have bleeding sores at the back of my head and hair loss due to the stress. And quitting is not an option just yet.
 

KarenMarie

Elite Member
Sep 20, 2003
14,372
6
81
I just read where you lived... i am in the same state...

My sister had a mental health leave of absence... as I stated earlier... go to the doctor.. he will give you a note... it will either say you are excued from work indefinately, or there will be a return to work date. By law you CANNOT work during that time... your job cannot fire you during that time...

When you go back to work, it will either be on the date of the note, or you will need a new note from the doctor stating that you can return to work.

:)
 

Legendary

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2002
7,019
1
0
Originally posted by: Linux23
My GP referred me to a pyschologist since he told me that a note from him would not be accepted at my job. I called my insurance carrier and they cover up to 60 sessions per year, with a $20 co-pay so I'll try one of the psychologist there first.

I have bleeding sores at the back of my head and hair loss due to the stress. And quitting is not an option just yet.

Find out what your state and corporation's requirements for getting a paid leave of absence is, and then meet all of them.
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,371
741
126
Originally posted by: KarenMarie
I just read where you lived... i am in the same state...

My sister had a mental health leave of absence... as I stated earlier... go to the doctor.. he will give you a note... it will either say you are excued from work indefinately, or there will be a return to work date. By law you CANNOT work during that time... your job cannot fire you during that time...

When you go back to work, it will either be on the date of the note, or you will need a new note from the doctor stating that you can return to work.

:)

Was it paid, or unpaid leave?

I live in NJ, but work in NY, so i'm not sure if I have to follow NY state law?

Also, how long was your sister on leave?
 

KarenMarie

Elite Member
Sep 20, 2003
14,372
6
81
Originally posted by: Linux23
Originally posted by: KarenMarie
I just read where you lived... i am in the same state...

My sister had a mental health leave of absence... as I stated earlier... go to the doctor.. he will give you a note... it will either say you are excued from work indefinately, or there will be a return to work date. By law you CANNOT work during that time... your job cannot fire you during that time...

When you go back to work, it will either be on the date of the note, or you will need a new note from the doctor stating that you can return to work.

:)

Was it paid, or unpaid leave?

I live in NJ, but work in NY, so i'm not sure if I have to follow NY state law?

Also, how long was your sister on leave?

She works in NJ.. full paid leave... three months... but she decided to go back early, so she needed to get a new note from the doctor to supercede the date on the original, cause by law she could not work after the doctor gave her the 'off work' note.

:)

 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Goodluck with the psychologist. Remember, though, that only psychiatrists can prescribe medication. A pscyhologist is not likely to want to refer you to a shrink, since a shrink may resort to medication sooner (at least the psychologist may consider it resorting; the shrink may consider it sooner because it's an option they have). There is probably too much medication in the country, but many mental problems can really be nipped in the bud faster and more effectively with meds than simply psychotherapy. If you can hit up a shrink for a similar cost I'd just go straight to one of them. Psychotherapy, though possibly safer (assuming you don't do something to yourself first), is not likely to be as quick as medication, if a shrink thinks that that is a good route to take. goodluck!

Oh, and I know nothing about leaves of absence...sorry :eek:
 

kazeakuma

Golden Member
Feb 13, 2001
1,218
0
0
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Goodluck with the psychologist. Remember, though, that only psychiatrists can prescribe medication. A pscyhologist is not likely to want to refer you to a shrink, since a shrink may resort to medication sooner (at least the psychologist may consider it resorting; the shrink may consider it sooner because it's an option they have). There is probably too much medication in the country, but many mental problems can really be nipped in the bud faster and more effectively with meds than simply psychotherapy. If you can hit up a shrink for a similar cost I'd just go straight to one of them. Psychotherapy, though possibly safer (assuming you don't do something to yourself first), is not likely to be as quick as medication, if a shrink thinks that that is a good route to take. goodluck!

Oh, and I know nothing about leaves of absence...sorry :eek:

On the meds issue. If it's depression related, stay away. Far away from them. They do strange things to you, and it takes a little longer but you'll recover properly. If you get given meds, often the real cause of the problem is overlooked in the hope of the quick fix cure. The happy pills they have are really weird, and I wouldn't touch anything from them again in that regard.
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,371
741
126
Originally posted by: kazeakuma
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Goodluck with the psychologist. Remember, though, that only psychiatrists can prescribe medication. A pscyhologist is not likely to want to refer you to a shrink, since a shrink may resort to medication sooner (at least the psychologist may consider it resorting; the shrink may consider it sooner because it's an option they have). There is probably too much medication in the country, but many mental problems can really be nipped in the bud faster and more effectively with meds than simply psychotherapy. If you can hit up a shrink for a similar cost I'd just go straight to one of them. Psychotherapy, though possibly safer (assuming you don't do something to yourself first), is not likely to be as quick as medication, if a shrink thinks that that is a good route to take. goodluck!

Oh, and I know nothing about leaves of absence...sorry :eek:

On the meds issue. If it's depression related, stay away. Far away from them. They do strange things to you, and it takes a little longer but you'll recover properly. If you get given meds, often the real cause of the problem is overlooked in the hope of the quick fix cure. The happy pills they have are really weird, and I wouldn't touch anything from them again in that regard.

By god no, I refuse to take medication for a problem that is caused entirely by my job. I was never like this in any of the past jobs I had.
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Sorry to hear about your troubles.

I was going to recommend that you try to speak with a professional before attempting to take a leave of absence just because it may be tough to salvage your career with the company, but if you have already spoken to several people at work it may not matter.

Do you think this is something about the nature of the company you work for or do you think it involves the way you deal with stress? I am just wondering why, absent paid leave, you would be concerned about returning to work afterwards if it is not likely to get any better.
 
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
67
91
Originally posted by: Linux23
Who here had to take a leave of absence from their jobs due to either very high stress loads, anxiety issues, depression etc?

What was the process like and was it a paid leave of absence?


EDIT: Fixed bad spelling.;)

I use paid sick days several times per year. Some days, I just do not want to go to work.

I refer to them as mental health holidays.

All i do is e-mail my supervisor saying I'm out sick with no details. kinda the unwritten rule around here. Don't be descriptive and no questions will be asked.
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,371
741
126
All i do is e-mail my supervisor saying I'm out sick with no details. kinda the unwritten rule around here. Don't be descriptive and no questions will be asked.

yeah, but question is, how many of these mental health holidays are you allowed?
 

Ameesh

Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
23,686
1
0
Originally posted by: Linux23
My GP referred me to a pyschologist since he told me that a note from him would not be accepted at my job. I called my insurance carrier and they cover up to 60 sessions per year, with a $20 co-pay so I'll try one of the psychologist there first.

I have bleeding sores at the back of my head and hair loss due to the stress. And quitting is not an option just yet.

SICK!
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,371
741
126
Originally posted by: Ameesh
Originally posted by: Linux23
My GP referred me to a pyschologist since he told me that a note from him would not be accepted at my job. I called my insurance carrier and they cover up to 60 sessions per year, with a $20 co-pay so I'll try one of the psychologist there first.

I have bleeding sores at the back of my head and hair loss due to the stress. And quitting is not an option just yet.

SICK!

:confused: