Family and Medical Leave Act

– anxiety related leave -

FLMA and Anxiety
Does the FMLA cover time off for reason of anxiety?

The short answer is no but that isn’t the whole story.

First we look at the FMLA rules.

Participating employers must allow an eligible employee up to a total of twelve (25-40 hour) weeks of non-paid leave during any 52 week period for any of the following reasons:

• for childbirth and care of the newborn baby of the employee

• for the placement with the employee of a child in adoption or foster care

• to take care of an family member (child,  parent or spouse) with a major health condition

• to take a medical leave if the employee is incapable of working because of a serious health condition.

There is some room in the forth circumstance that may include anxiety and it fact it does get covered in many cases. The key is that you as the employee must be incapable of performing your job responsibilities. Essentially your employer must be the one who agrees that you are too much of a mess to report to duty. If this is the case, you will be fine on your claim. If this is not the case, you will most likely lose during the FMLA hearing since being stressed out just isn’t a sufficient reason to leave your job. The employer will probably be sided with and you will be looking for a new job.

Remember also that in all cases just not anxiety, leaving under the FMLA rules requires you give adequate notice which falls in the range of 24-48 hours. Anxiety is not an emergency so you better give at least 2 days notice and have discussed the problem with your boss so he is sympathetic.

If you do suffer from anxiety attacks, you will need to get treated. The condition isn’t normal. If you do take an unpaid leave, you will soon get worse when you realize the bills are piling up without income to cover them. Anxiety is a bad reason to leave a job.

Professionals charge hefty rates to treat anxiety disorders. However there are now some great at home programs you can buy for as low as $67 that have great success rates and are guaranteed. Read this review of the 3 best anxiety programs  and cure your breakdown symptoms now.  It may save your job, and jobs are hard to come by.  Do something soon.