See Below: TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS FOR TAKING FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
This post is about Taking Family and Medical Leave and the importance of keeping your family needs the top priority when making your decision.
Family and Medical Leave
In 1993 the United States federal government created Family and Medical Leave, or FMLA, to allow employees to take up to 12 weeks off of work for specific family and/or medical circumstances.
FMLA was implemented to protect workers who needed time off to care for their own medical conditions or other specific family situations.
FMLA helps employees balance their family and work lives by allowing them time off to ehl address family and/or medical issues during their time off.
FMLA Guidelines
FMLA pertains to all public groups and organizations. It also applies to all public and private schools.
Additionally, all businesses with 50 or more employees fall under the FMLA requirement.
Employers provide FMLA to employees under specific circumstances, such as:
- If the employee is unable to work due to serious health issues.
- If the employee is responsible to care for a sick family member with a serious health issue.
- Giving birth and taking care of a newborn child.
- Military active duty of spouse or a family member caring for children.
FMLA for Employees
The employee is permitted 12 weeks off during a 12-month period of time. The 12 weeks of time is unpaid.
However, employees may be able to use any of their unused time off, if they have time available to them.
Not all employees are covered under FMLA, so you will need to check with your Human Resources Department to inquire.
Also, employees who are eligible and take FMLA time off will be offered a job when they return, but it is not guaranteed to be the same job as they had before the leave.
When Should You Consider Taking Family and Medical Leave?
It is important you and your family consider when to take family leave. Families should discuss the pros and cons of taking family and medical leave before making any arrangements with their place of work.
When making the decision to take family and medical leave, try to consider and research all perspectives.
Many years ago, when I took custody of my two grandchildren, I didn’t know or understand the options for taking family and medical leave.
Working as a manager in a very busy company, I didn’t consider taking time off when my grandkids moved in with me.
Honestly, I didn’t know any details about FMLA and was not informed that family and medical leave would apply to my situation.
It wasn’t until years later that my boss mentioned the possibility of him and his wife adopting a child. At that time, he mentioned that if the adoption went through, he would be taking 12 weeks off for FMLA.
I was shocked and thought, heck! Why wasn’t I informed of that when I took legal custody of my grandkids?
Colleagues Are Not Family
Realizing that I missed out on the opportunity to take FMLA after taking legal custody was upsetting. I felt that I missed out.
When I reflect on those beginning crazy days and months when my grandkids first moved in, I wonder why I didn’t look into taking time off or learning about family and medical leave.
I really believe that if I had taken family leave the transition for my grandkids and myself would have been much easier.
I feel I would have understood the importance of being present and available for my grandkids during their adjustment period.
It saddens me when I reflect back about not taking time off or knowing about family and medical leave. Although work felt like a family unit with my colleagues, we weren’t family.
So, regardless of how loyal and dedicated you are as an employee, remember that your colleagues are not your family.
And, honestly, when push comes to shove, they most likely will not treat you like a devoted family member.
Thus, when you are considering taking family and medical leave, be sure to make the decision with your family in mind, not your work colleagues in mind.
Professional Changes
When I decided to take custody of my two grandchildren, it came as quite a surprise to my coworkers.
Since taking family and medical leave wasn’t offered or mentioned to me, I didn’t know it was an option.
So, I continued to work, without taking any significant time off.
Of course, my colleagues knew changes would need to be made in my work schedule, but they weren’t sure how it would affect my daily schedule. Neither did I!
For 15 years, as my children grew and went off to college, I worked hard to be promoted to a management position, with seniority in the company.
I felt fortunate that my boss and staff were supportive of my position. I felt they understood the importance of family values. Yet, I knew there would be changes.
Changes I couldn’t ignore or control. Changes to my ongoing daily routine. I couldn’t deny that taking custody of my grandkids would be a major detour in my professional growth. I also couldn’t deny the importance of having them with me.
At first, my work hours shifted to accommodate school schedules, child care, homework, activities, school friends, doctors’ appointments, therapy, and sicknesses. Before I knew it, my entire life and schedule had transformed.
After work I found myself stopping to get a cup of coffee so, I would have the energy to get through the evening. Every night I was now cooking dinner, doing homework, showers, and bedtime routines with the kids. This was my new normal routine!
Life Before My Grandkids Moved In
I’m not embarrassed to say that I often think about the days before my grandkids moved in.
Honestly, when I think about my life before my grandkids moved in, I think about the things I miss. Like the carefree days and nights of FINALLY being an empty nester!
But truthfully, I missed a lot! I miss the happy hours with my colleagues after a tough day of work. I miss running to the mall and shopping or grabbing dinner with a friend after work.
I miss having cereal or ice cream for dinner. I miss doing absolutely nothing or doing absolutely everything when I want to do it!!
There are definitely many, many things I miss before I started REparenting…meaning parenting again according to the experts!
But, regardless of how much I miss from those days before my grandkids moved in, I know this is what I need to do. This is what I’m meant to do.
And, raising my grandkids is what I want to do! I love raising my grandkids and I love having them in my house. For some important tips for grandparents having grandkids moving in, check out this article 7 IMPORTANT TIPS WHEN GRANDKIDS MOVE IN
The Benefits of Taking Family and Medical Leave
A few years after taking custody of my grandkids, several of my colleagues got pregnant. After having their babies, they all took maternity leave or family and medical leave and stayed home for 16 weeks with their children.
Again, when I think about that now…. years later I wonder why I didn’t give myself the opportunity to spend time with my grandkids then.
I should have. I wish I did! I wish I’d taken more time for myself. My grandkids and I both deserved that time together.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take advantage of family and medical leave as I should have.
Gratefully, I still have time to stop and slow down and realize how important my time is; for them and for me.
Realizing my oversight then, I am very conscientious about taking the time I need with my family now. I make sure that my family are always my priority.
So really understanding the benefits of taking family and medical leave will help alleviate the stress and pressure you and your family members may be experiencing.
Therefore, be sure to make your family leave decisions with your family’s best interest in mind and not in the interest of your colleagues and place of work.
This post is about knowing when to take Family and Medical Leave for you and your family.
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TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS FOR TAKING FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
- When considering taking family and medical leave, be sure to take the time you need for yourself and your family members.
- Work is just a job. Don’t allow your job to come before your family. Your job does not love you as your family does.
- Taking family and medical leave may allow you and your children or grandchildren a better opportunity for a smooth transition when they need you the most.
- Family leave will most likely benefit everyone, including your place of business.
- Allowing time to focus on your family will give you an appreciation when you are ready to dive back into your daily work routines.
Here’s More Information About the FMLA and the Family Leave Act for your review.
