Can FMLA be used one day per week to take my wife to the doctor appointments?
I am the primary care giver for my wife. She has schizophrenia and is pregnant. I am the only one who can get her to go to a doctor so it's vital I have time to take her, but I also need to work at least 4 days every week. I only have 48 hours of non-paid time off. I have 3 days vacation days. If I used them all for doctor visits I would lose my job before the end of the year. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
1 answer | asked May 28, 2015 07:44 AM [EST] | applies to Alabama
Answers (1)
As long as you are eligible for FMLA coverage (your employer has over 50 employees, you worked there for a year and you worked at least 1,250 hours in the last year), the FMLA prohibits your employer from terminating your employment because you miss work to care for a spouse with a serious health condition.
Explain to your employer that it cannot count time missed from work to care for your spouse as unexcused absences. If that does not work, consider getting an employment lawyer to explain the same thing, on legal letterhead.
Once you use up your vacation, etc., your time missed will be unpaid, but the purpose of the FMLA is to allow you to care for, among others, your spouse, without losing your job.
posted by Neil Klingshirn | May 28, 2015 08:08 AM [EST]
Explain to your employer that it cannot count time missed from work to care for your spouse as unexcused absences. If that does not work, consider getting an employment lawyer to explain the same thing, on legal letterhead.
Once you use up your vacation, etc., your time missed will be unpaid, but the purpose of the FMLA is to allow you to care for, among others, your spouse, without losing your job.
posted by Neil Klingshirn | May 28, 2015 08:08 AM [EST]
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