I worked for a company for 18 years. Thirteen years in, I had an unexpected illness that forced me to take a four month unpaid leave.

11 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 23,2025 at 3:14PM UTC

   While on the Medical Leave of Absence (MLoA) or even following, you can file for disability, as this will provide additional assistance financially. You can also file for unemployment insurance to satisfy the gap in hours/pay following your recovery. If you’re still in the role, passively apply and lean into professional development opportunities. Wishing you the best with your health and career search.

2. AnonymousMarch 23,2025 at 3:35PM UTC

   If you're talking about Social Security, it is not possible unless you are declared permanently disabled, which is much easier after age 50, as there is less time for vocational rehabilitation after that. SSD expects you to exhaust your medical leave benefits first (STD and LTD). She was only out for four months and has been back at work for five years.

3. AnonymousMarch 23,2025 at 3:54PM UTC

   Did the illness result in you losing any abilities? If so, have you asked for accommodations? It sounds like there are ADA issues that could be at play. If so, and if you are in the United States, consult your EEOC person in HR and/or contact an employment attorney. If not, it sounds retaliatory for your leave, so check out the laws against that where you live (state or country).

4. AnonymousMarch 23,2025 at 8:39PM UTC

   Your boundaries were tested and for four years you allowed the behavior of shorter schedules, more responsibilities etc. You need to find a better job.

5. AnonymousMarch 24,2025 at 4:21PM UTC

   You got sick, hope you're better now. It's unclear why you returned to a different role, did your availability change? etc. I think there are things not shared. Also, not all are toxic, you are choosing to stay.

6. AnonymousMarch 25,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

   Sounds like the rules changed.

7. GirlBossanova934974March 26,2025 at 1:36PM UTC

   You went wrong by sticking around for an employer who took due advantage of you. You should have been out of there 2-3 years ago. ONE EMPLOYER does not represent the entire job market in the USA. Just ONE bad actor and ONE bad apple. Be gone! Get that resume out and start applying for new jobs. Fill in your Linkedin Profile. REMIND YOURSELF! I have a job. I am getting paid. So I am getting paid to do my current job and look for another job. NO loss of income! What could be better??

8. Cheryl AndersonMarch 26,2025 at 2:37PM UTC

   What did you do wrong? You stayed! Five years late it is hard to say that your illness is the cause for your current situation.

9. AnonymousMarch 26,2025 at 4:55PM UTC

   How do you know all these factors are connected? Time changes everything. Have a direct conversation with someone in your HR department about the changes and the why of things. If you can do this without fear of the conversation. If not your only alternative if you cannot work within the shifted boundaries is to quit or find a new role elsewhere. Please take control of your own work situation or you will be left to deal with things as they are. Good luck.

10. Christine FordMarch 26,2025 at 7:57PM UTC

    you went wrong by daring to be human. Same thing happened to me. I went on maternity leave and was told upon my return at 12 weeks i'd have to share my management role with the woman who had temporarily stepped in to do my job. And the ironic thing was it was the editor in chief of WorkingMother magazine that did this. So I decided not to return. Do not let what happened shake your confidence. They smelled an opportunity and took advantage of it. But it has nothing really to do with you. So if you want to start looking, start looking.

11. AnonymousMarch 26,2025 at 8:32PM UTC

    I am not sure what state this is in but in California it should not have been unpaid especially after 13 years! Most of the time there is a letter from a doctor needed but that is it.

    I have had to take LOA a few times due to illness over the years and it was paid and after a certain amount of time you could apply for short term disability. the company & HR were not following legal protections it seems. By reducing hours/pay it would typically be considered retaliatory behavior because you took a leave and this is also not legal here.

    I am sorry you dealt with this! It is true not all companies are bad.

    I highly recommend checking each companies rating on Glassdoor or other sites - always do due diligence when reading reviews.

    If it has good rating look out for reviews that are all glowing reviews that sound the same…or all on or near the same date…these are typically coerced by managers.

    Also be wary of multiple reviews with no cons while also having no management feed lback & or say keep up the good work!

    Read the reviews carefully to see the details of positive & negative culture or workplace. To get a better idea of patterns of behavior good or bad definitely read several reviews.

    Possibly find things about the company to read or connect with someone the worked there previously.

    All that said some companies won’t have a ton of info out there but trust your gut & don’t settle. It can take a while to find the right fit! Try not to get to a place of desperation where you will take anything to have a job.

    You deserve a healthy work environment!

    Be diligent & persistent!

    Looking for a job can be a roller coaster for sure! Try to be hopeful & optimistic ❤️

    I wish you the absolute best of luck!