I went through a very traumatic experience on April 21st of last year. I’m debating taking a week off work around that date this year in case my PTSD stuff blocks my ability to work. It means a week with no pay, but I’m on my final warning at work regarding my attendance I’d hate to miss work a get fired because of this. Do you all think taking an approved leave of absence (LOA) is a good idea?
well considering the upcoming bonus for attendance I say no…is there a way you can deal with it and work? maybe some therapy?
Oh a LOA doesn’t go against my attendance It’s pre approved time off
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If you’ve already missed a lot of days off of work and gotten written up for it, from now on I would only miss more days if it was an emergency. If your PTSD is an emergency I think I would check it out with your boss first to make sure they’re not going to fire you for missing more days. I mean you want to save up sick days and LOA days for when it’s a life or death situation. Maybe when April 21st rolls around get extra help from your therapist or psychiatrist that week to ease the stress.
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I’ve already spoken to my boss about this. I can get an approved LOA covered under the ADA(my doctor already confirmed she would do the paperwork). And it’s not like I’m taking away the LOA time from anything. The LOA doesn’t go against my attendance
I just feel like I’m likely to want to call out of work during that week and if I proactively set aside that time from work it might ease the stress and not be in jeopardy of losing my job
But doesn’t it look bad just the same to take too many LOA’s? If it’s not looked at by your boss as a bad thing and it’s allowed by the ADA then I don’t see a problem with taking a few days off.
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oh well by all means do it.
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No because the LOA are only approved under the ADA laws. My boss it literally not allowed to correct me in any way because of a LOA approved by HR and protected under ADA
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Absolutely! Taking a LOA that’s approved is a smart guardrail that protects your employment during a week you know will be mentally stressful.
Being preemptive is a very good move, and if you feel like you’re handling that week well you may even be able to go back before the LOA is over.
Preemptively taking a LOA is a better move than trying to white knuckle a traumatic week and getting burned via attendance points if you have to call off.
If you do decide to take a LOA during that week Id recommend doing a lot of self care and if you have a therapist maybe work on an action and safety plan you can implement if the week gets overwhelming and triggering.
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Honestly, this. Couldn’t have said it better.
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I second what @77nick77 said. Only in emergencies. BUT if you’re certain it wont be used against you, and you’ve checked all the small print and know it’ll all be fine - then go ahead.
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Just to make things clear because I’m getting a lot of people telling me it’s going to count against me. This is a ADA accommodation leave of absence. It absolutely does not and will not count against my attendance. My employer cannot legally take any action against me if I take this LOA
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Do what you need to do. But keep in mind your your employer can fire you without cause. If you become too much of an inconvenience for them they have the right to terminate.
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I think your job is so rewarding and that you need money based on what you’ve said such that it may require that you focus on your job for some time. Just my two cents
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I understand that, however my company is a fortune 50 company. I have ongoing ADA accommodations, they would be in a legal battle if they fire me without just cause. As long as I turn around my attendance I have no reason to fear losing my job.
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Ok. I don’t know the details. If you really need the time off it’s your call.
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I don’t know yet I’m still deciding. I might apply for the LOA and get the paperwork in place and I can always cancel it if I don’t need the time.
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