Did you use sick time or short term disability?

[Kathy812 794]

Hello everyone, I have my surgery in two weeks and plan on taking sick time.

I have over 200 sick days available.

The other day, while at my pre-op visit, my surgeon asked if I was completing my FMLA forms. I didn't know what he meant by that. When I asked him if I had to, he said he wasn't sure, Told me to check with my HR department-obviously every company is different.

Was this surgery not covered as sick time for you guys? Did you have to use short-term disability?

One of my friends at work mentioned she thought of having plastic surgery but she was told by HR since it was an elective surgery, time off it wouldn't be paid.

I tried calling my HR department earlier this week but kept getting transferred. Will try again this week but in the meantime just looking for feedback.

Thank you

[*Lexie* 1,486]

I used STD but we don't have sick time. It took a week of my paid time off and then I started getting paid out at 70% of my salary.

This would not be considered the same as plastic surgery. If it's covered by insurance it's considered medically necessary.

[FitnFabfor2014 358]

I used sick time, and your employer doesn't need to know what the surgery Is for (HIPPA laws). My doctor just wrote a letter stating I was having a procedure and the starting and ending dates. They put down 6 weeks, but said if I was able to go back sooner I could, it was just easier to let them give you all the time in the beginning instead of asking for more time later. My job still does not know I had the surgery, and I am almost 9 months out. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

[Kya Wolf 69]

With my job the std doesn't kick in until day 11. So I will be using paid time off for the first 2 weeks.

[alexsisv 139]

I used my vacation time.

[kk2800 1]

I took sick time. I had been saving up my sick leave during my pre-surgery time. My surgeon had said minimum time off was 2 weeks, preferably 4. I took 5 because I had the time available.

[dark n lovely 70]

U should be able to use both short term disability and your sick time. This way you will not lose any income during your time off. There shouldn't be and rule that says u can't use both. I have done this several times for other medical reasons. In California and Georgia. So im sure you can too. Good luck

[Mrs. Reid 392]

I am saving up my paid time off. I am planning to take 2 weeks starting the day before I have surgery. I am not telling my employer what I am doing during my time off and will not tell then once I return.

[sunnkistme 76]

If your company has fewer than 50 employees it does not have to follow FMLA laws. Most companies still allow for time off but be sure. My small company will allow up to 12 weeks off and our handbook allows for unpaid leaves of absence, but they are not required to. We just have benefit time not sick/vacation. I have been saving my time and have enough to take plenty of time. I think I am going to take 2 full weeks and then go back 1/2 time for 2 or three more weeks.

[Kathy812 794]

Thanks everyone! I have plenty sick time so I'll use that. Just verified w/HR sick time can be used. They mentioned I can protect my sick days under FMLA so it is not used against me (this was probably what my doctor was referring to).

[lovelytrl 162]

Thanks everyone! I have plenty sick time so I'll use that. Just verified w/HR sick time can be used. They mentioned I can protect my sick days under FMLA so it is not used against me (this was probably what my doctor was referring to).

I'm going under FMLA it takes from my sick but the time I take will not be used against me. I decided to take a month off from work. I can't wait!

[Jersrose43 837]

I used FMLA it was a surgery and I qualified and so why not?

[Forsythia 882]

My job at the time only had PTO (paid time off). No separate sick/vacation/personal days. I took a week of vacation. I chose not to take medical leave because I did not believe that I was going to need more time off than that. Also, I could not afford to be off longer than a week since medical leave is not paid. I could have gone back after 5 days.

[mechidallas 1]

Your company could have both FMLA and STD. A lot of people do use short-term disability instead FMLA because it covers you for certain amount of weeks to get paid and a percentage of your salary most companies have my short-term disability contractor like Sedgwick.

ISo when your doctor ask do you need to fill out your FMLA paperwork you need to say yes because what it is is releasing information to your possible short-term disability contractor or if you decide to file FMLA they're pretty much the same paperwork is just releasing your records for them to know what your healthcare provider is doing or how long they expecting you to be out

I don't know if I will use my vacation time for this because that would exhaust a lot of time because it's based on your healing process

[Kathy812 794]

Your company could have both FMLA and STD. A lot of people do use short-term disability instead FMLA because it covers you for certain amount of weeks to get paid and a percentage of your salary most companies have my short-term disability contractor like Sedgwick.

ISo when your doctor ask do you need to fill out your FMLA paperwork you need to say yes because what it is is releasing information to your possible short-term disability contractor or if you decide to file FMLA they're pretty much the same paperwork is just releasing your records for them to know what your healthcare provider is doing or how long they expecting you to be out

I don't know if I will use my vacation time for this because that would exhaust a lot of time because it's based on your healing process

thanks for your response. My company does have Std,Flma and sick time. Question for you, why would you not use your sick time(100% of your paycheck, over the short term disability( which covers only a percentage)? Just curious. My understanding is FMLA does not provide you with a paycheck it only protect your days.