My life has become a nightmare.
A "friend of mine" (ahem) who has 20 years with the company has a documented serious illness and has applied for and received authorization for PCL (FMLA reduced program). This illness started about 5 years ago, and when it flares up, it is BAD.
Every year, the company requests PCL/FMLA forms, and every year, the company makes her jump through hoops while seriously ill to get approval for the leave. She has talked to other employees here and there in passing who have had the same experience-fighting over FMLA approval with the company.
This year has been particularly bad for "my friend". (Left an abusive marriage, divorcing. Ex husband drained the accounts and savings is $0-apartment building is being sold and employee needs to be out by 11-01, but can't find another apt because NO INCOME-and finally, best friend took her own life in March.)
Anyway-This Year, after submitting documentation, asks company rep who docs are faxed to to call if any other info is needed.
Employee takes PCL and starts the nightmare of adjusting medications. If anyone has ever been through this, they know what I mean by "nightmare". Sometimes the meds do the opposite of what they are supposed to, and patient gets worse. Often, the patient with this illness lies in bed, comatose, for days or even weeks at a time.
My friend has not left the house in 9 days.
Hospitalization is an option, however, this has been done in the past, and it is basically the same treatment regimen (adjusting meds) except with bad food and higher costs. Last hospitalization cost employee over $1500 in deductibles, and once again, employee has NO INCOME now.
Meanwhile, the company sends a letter to employee requesting additional documentation. Even though the illness/documentation is the same as every other year-same illness, same everything. Even though right after submitting docs, employee asked company to call if anything else was needed.
Company does not call, supervisor does not call-just one letter requesting additional info. Being too sick to read mail or even feed herself until the new medications kick in, employee responds by calling the number on the letter, apparently after the "due date" of requested docs.
Finds out she has been put on UNAUTHORIZED LEAVE. And, that she has exceeded her FMLA/PCL benefit for the year.
Her doctor submits "the additional info" requested, and speaks with the person apparently in charge.
Long story short, the company is going to fire employee if employee does not go into hospital, and probably even if employee does.
Employee has no income, no savings, and is seriously ill. Family cannot help.
She loves her job-but she's just too sick to do it right now.
Can the company just throw an employee who has been a dedicated worker and good employee with many years of excellent service prior to her illness out on the street?
Do you know of any other employees this has happened to?
What did they do?
Any sliding scale or free health care in the CCY area?
Any media contacts?
Someone help, please.
A "friend of mine" (ahem) who has 20 years with the company has a documented serious illness and has applied for and received authorization for PCL (FMLA reduced program). This illness started about 5 years ago, and when it flares up, it is BAD.
Every year, the company requests PCL/FMLA forms, and every year, the company makes her jump through hoops while seriously ill to get approval for the leave. She has talked to other employees here and there in passing who have had the same experience-fighting over FMLA approval with the company.
This year has been particularly bad for "my friend". (Left an abusive marriage, divorcing. Ex husband drained the accounts and savings is $0-apartment building is being sold and employee needs to be out by 11-01, but can't find another apt because NO INCOME-and finally, best friend took her own life in March.)
Anyway-This Year, after submitting documentation, asks company rep who docs are faxed to to call if any other info is needed.
Employee takes PCL and starts the nightmare of adjusting medications. If anyone has ever been through this, they know what I mean by "nightmare". Sometimes the meds do the opposite of what they are supposed to, and patient gets worse. Often, the patient with this illness lies in bed, comatose, for days or even weeks at a time.
My friend has not left the house in 9 days.
Hospitalization is an option, however, this has been done in the past, and it is basically the same treatment regimen (adjusting meds) except with bad food and higher costs. Last hospitalization cost employee over $1500 in deductibles, and once again, employee has NO INCOME now.
Meanwhile, the company sends a letter to employee requesting additional documentation. Even though the illness/documentation is the same as every other year-same illness, same everything. Even though right after submitting docs, employee asked company to call if anything else was needed.
Company does not call, supervisor does not call-just one letter requesting additional info. Being too sick to read mail or even feed herself until the new medications kick in, employee responds by calling the number on the letter, apparently after the "due date" of requested docs.
Finds out she has been put on UNAUTHORIZED LEAVE. And, that she has exceeded her FMLA/PCL benefit for the year.
Her doctor submits "the additional info" requested, and speaks with the person apparently in charge.
Long story short, the company is going to fire employee if employee does not go into hospital, and probably even if employee does.
Employee has no income, no savings, and is seriously ill. Family cannot help.
She loves her job-but she's just too sick to do it right now.
Can the company just throw an employee who has been a dedicated worker and good employee with many years of excellent service prior to her illness out on the street?
Do you know of any other employees this has happened to?
What did they do?
Any sliding scale or free health care in the CCY area?
Any media contacts?
Someone help, please.
BUT like I said IF something was to go south she is at least right where she needs to be. Being at home and having to get to the hospital, your wasting precious minutes of time. The first few minutes are ALWAYS the most critical.
