Over the last 4 years I’ve had 2 babies and 2 major surgeries. All requiring me to take leave. As we only get 10 days of leave paid per year I wiped that all out before even having my babies. So my entire maternity leave was funded by short term disability (luckily) and me draining every bit of savings I had.
Most recently I had my hip replaced. I couldn’t work for 8 weeks. Short term disability didn’t kick in until week 2 and only covered 6 weeks. The remainder of my time was completely unpaid.
This was in April and I’m still struggling. Had my maternity leaves been covered or I had paid leave I wouldn’t be constantly overdrafting my account now and scraping by to make Christmas magical for my kids. I’m terrified because I just got a diagnosis of heart failure and I don’t know how I can afford any actual leave if I have to take it again.
Anonymous
Olathe, Kansas
I’m currently in a situation where I am being denied unpaid leave, with paid leave not even being an option. For the last four days I’ve missed work as my son’s father, who suffered a medical emergency on Sunday, has been in a coma since and was declared deceased today.
I was also told today that bereavement is not available for my situation, so in the case of a weekday funeral, I’d have to choose to have my son bury his father without me, or risk my job, if it isn’t already lost for the time I took off this week.
I went back to work today and was told leave for last week is pending approval. It will still be unpaid if it’s accepted.
Anonymous
Wichita, Kansas