Has anyone taken short-term disability leave?

Anonymous

January 11,2022 at 3:56PM UTC

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Has anyone taken short-term disability leave? I've been recently diagnosed with depression, and work has become increasingly hard. I'm considering doing this, but unsure of where to start.

What was the process you went through? What were your experiences?

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Nikki PowersJanuary 11,2022 at 5:33PM UTC
I have taken both STD and LTD. The process should be fairly simple. First, speak to your doctor. You will need them to sign off on it, so be sure they are willing to do so. Next, talk to your HR Department. They will give you the paperwork to fill out and paperwork for your doctor to fill out. Then you will turn it in, and that should be it. However, please be aware - most STD and LTD cases - you are only given a percentage of your salary.
I will admit - the first time I took the STD, things were fine. But when I had to switch to LTD - I ended up being forced out of my position (long story - just glad they did it because I ended up in a MUCH better company).
Also - find out when the STD will start to pay you. Many companies have a waiting date from 7 - 28 days. (My current company is 5, but that's very rare.) You still get that time off - you just will not be paid for it.
I highly suggest doing this, though. If you are struggling with your mental health you need to take care of yourself. Mental health is just as important as physical health. And with HIPAA, you don't have to tell your boss, co-workers why you are taking leave. It's none of their business, anyway.
I hope you are able to take the time and take care of yourself.
Amy HolmesAugust 31,2022 at 11:09PM UTC
If you decided to go on disability and are now back at your job, under the Americans with Disabilities act you are entitled to ask for reasonable accommodations if you need them to get your work done given your disability. I was out for 8 months and went back too early because I was afraid they would no longer keep my job and have ADA accommodations. Again your manager need not know what your disability is and your coworkers don’t need to know anything. I was on disability for depression. Please do take care of yourself. It’s so important—even more important than that job being there for you. I wish I’d waited to go back.