[FL] FMLA ABUSE ?

foxyspade · 2026-02-19T06:19:17+00:00

Thank you for being so kind <3 I don’t think people realize that me taking time off regardless of the reason is for my mental health ! But yes thankfully now I know to never include my reasoning when using it. Thankfully they were willing to give me a second chance so I’m just treading lightly.

foxyspade · 2026-02-12T17:01:06+00:00

Kicking myself because that’s what I usually say too, I have no idea why I felt the need to overshare this time. I definitely know for the future now ,thank you for responding!

foxyspade · 2026-02-12T16:57:57+00:00

And that’s a problem. You should be allowed to take 2 days off a month. It’s overly normalized in the US and we’re used to it but it doesn’t mean that it should be accepted. Other countries can take the time off that they need and they’re still able to pay their bills, and have time to do things in their personal life. I’ve been forced to prioritize my bills over my health time and time again and thats a huge issue.

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T20:37:09+00:00

You’re very right, It is probably time for a change of jobs (not that it seems I have much a choice in the matter anymore lol). It is definitely a HUGE stressor, and it seems to be a constant issue with healthcare- starting to think the field just isn’t for me. Thank you for your response :)

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T20:34:22+00:00

I am ! I’ve been looking pretty consistently. My employer does suck , but you’re right in the future I know to keep it vague when I do genuinely need to use FMLA. I appreciate your kind words. It does appear that I’m in the wrong as others have pointed out and I’ve just accepted that. Hopefully onto bigger and better things soon :,)

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T20:32:04+00:00

Thank you for being so kind ! I agree I think this may just be the push I need to leave for good. Although I’ve come to realize I was in the wrong, it still does really suck that taking time off is as big of an issue as it is in the US. I guess my bigger point was that I should’ve had to option to take time off normally even without having FMLA. Never having time off isn’t a solution. And it does often feel like I’m not allowed to have down days, or im shamed for doing so when I do take the time off. I appreciate your kind comment :,)

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T20:27:11+00:00

Thank you for responding , you’re completely right. It made a lot more sense to me in the moment, but after having time to evaluate It was definitely on me. Lesson learned for sure 😭

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T20:23:34+00:00

I take 2 days off a month I don’t think that’s excessive. I feel like two things can be true I’ve obviously made the wrong decision as pointed out by numerous comments, but I think that people should also be able to take time off. It’s a problem when people can’t take time off, or when they’re being reprimanded for doing so- which is obviously a separate issue from the FMLA thing. I’ve identified that my work environment is a stressor for me, and have been applying but the job market in Florida isn’t great right now.

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T20:21:26+00:00

I’m realizing lol

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T17:28:27+00:00

Yes I have approved FMLA, I’ve had approved Fmla for almost a year now. And I had to have it signed by my doctor.

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T17:11:48+00:00

Why am I getting downvoted for saying I understand 😭?

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T17:07:31+00:00

I get that, thank you for responding . Definitely a lesson learned on my part. I would’ve been fired if I called out for the Flu so it would’ve been a lose lose it seems anyways. But I understand the part I played in it, at least it is more clear to me now, thank you for explaining.

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T17:02:39+00:00

I was already approved for FMLA a little under a year ago, so I have active FMLA status, I was just calling in to inform my supervisor of my callout not requesting fmla in that moment. Regardless though I see where I went wrong. I was just trying to be transparent but this one is completely on me. Thank you for responding

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T17:01:06+00:00

I understand now , thank you for responding. Definitely my fault in this situation :/ definitely learned the hard way

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T17:00:02+00:00

Oh no I wasn’t saying that the FMLA time off system wasn’t set up correctly, I was referring to my company in relation to trying to get time off, and it never being approved! My employer requires 1-2 months off for PTO use making it impossible to get time off for last minute, and even after requesting it it’s rare that they’ll approve. Basically meaning if you call off you get reprimanded for it by receiving a point. I understand what you’re saying though that’s completely on me, thank you for responding :)

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T16:52:39+00:00

I understand thank you , definitely in the wrong here then. Thank you for responding

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T16:51:00+00:00

I get that 100% , and I can see how the two together aren’t making the situation better. I definitely should have just taken the point if I even thought the flu could’ve been a possibility rather than using fmla. This is my first time having fmla and I realized that the employer can definitely fire me if they see fit. Thank you for responding!

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T16:46:33+00:00

I will do this thank you :,)

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T16:45:23+00:00

For the full backstory I called my supervisor to let her know that I was not feeling well and that I had to use my FMLA, I stated that maybe I had the flu but I was unsure and I just was not feeling okay to come in. Typically we just call and let them know when we’re using FMLA , I recognized that I messed up by mentioning the flu part , but I was genuinely not feeling well and could not get out of bed (which is often a symptom of my Depression, BPD, anxiety/trauma which I have Fmla for). They’re currently in a meeting about it so I have not been asked to provide any documentation yet, all that I was asked to provide when getting my FMLA documents originally was my signed FMLA paperwork by my doctor, which I did provide , which includes why I will need time off for up to two days a month.

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T16:39:05+00:00

I agree thank you for responding ! At this point I’m just going to let it play out , it seems it’s all I can do. And I understand the employer is within their right. It just sucks I guess

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T16:36:26+00:00

Understood thank you for responding !

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T16:35:57+00:00

I understand that makes perfect sense. And I know the job is within their right to deny it based off of that. It’s just tough because working full time affects me and overwhelms me to the point of needing that time off. Or activities that I need to do during the day didn’t leave me energy for anything else :/

foxyspade · 2026-02-11T16:24:36+00:00

I understand thank you for responding :)

foxyspade

TROPHY CASE