FMLA for mental illness in fed gov?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we were doing speech therapy, OT and psychiatry appointments for our DD to help manage her ADHD and anxiety her doctor offered to sign fmla paperwork. We didn’t need it, but I’d think appointments / care for adult mental health care would be a reasonable use.

I think OP wants to take off weeks or months using FMLA for mental illness. What your doctor is referring to is when you take intermittent FMLA to attend appointments or control a symptom.

I had a super-expansive FMLA agreement for my sick child--4 hours/month for appointments but unlimited time if he became sicker and needed to miss school (including but not limited to hospitalization).

I'm not sure where you get the idea that OP plans to take a block of time off, but it could still be FMLA appropriate if that's what they need.

[Anonymous]

I had an employee to took 3 months off for mental health, specifically depression. I only know the details because she shared with me directly, the HR paperwork that was sent to me just stated that she applied for the leave and it was approved. Her doctor wrote a note, although again I didn’t see it. This was in the private sector though.

[Anonymous]

Be careful! When I was a federal manager, some people used the mental health FMLA excuse to go to rehab. Small agency, young staff who liked to party (alcoholics and a few addicts).

I left that job after a few years to work as a program manager for a government contractor. We suspected two of them (software engineers) were users but we weren’t allowed to get involved or make baseless accusations because they got their assignments done on time and did great work. Sadly, one of them eventually OD’d.

[Anonymous]

As a fed manager I had an employee who was about to be put on a PIP file for FMLA. HR basically approved it and told me to approve my small piece of it. The full grown adult got the full 12 weeks off based on a Drs note from pediatrician simply stating "XX can't work."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be careful! When I was a federal manager, some people used the mental health FMLA excuse to go to rehab. Small agency, young staff who liked to party (alcoholics and a few addicts).

I left that job after a few years to work as a program manager for a government contractor. We suspected two of them (software engineers) were users but we weren’t allowed to get involved or make baseless accusations because they got their assignments done on time and did great work. Sadly, one of them eventually OD’d.

Sorry, but seem VERY judgy. Your statement, ”We suspected two of them were users but we weren’t allowed to…make baseless accusations…”

What is the issue with them using FMLA to go to rehab? Would you prefer they keep using? Do you know how difficult it is to struggle with addiction? Addiction is often rooted in mental health struggles. Please try to have a tiny amount of compassion for someone going through the process.

[Anonymous]

If you've got a serious issue that could overwhelm you, take care of it now, OP, and let the chips fall where they may. Your health makes most things possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a fed manager I had an employee who was about to be put on a PIP file for FMLA. HR basically approved it and told me to approve my small piece of it. The full grown adult got the full 12 weeks off based on a Drs note from pediatrician simply stating "XX can't work."

Same and it’s given me a bad taste for fmla. I’ve had multiple employees file for FMLA after being given “PIP warnings” over the years. One was for anxiety about not being able to do his job well. I have never begrudged fmla for maternity leave, cancer treatments or a heart attack. But people are using fmla like it’s a sabbatical.

The main issue is that this is the federal government. We’re incredibly short handed. Many of our offices have 50% less people than they had a year ago. We cannot absorb any losses. It’s causing their coworkers to get overworked. The stress from extra work is getting to us all.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn’t know the reason though if you’re a manager. How did the PP know it was for anxiety?