How should patients negotiate for sick leave or disability leave from work? Also, how do I negotiate for time off from work to be with my family member for medical appointments and to help her at home?

85. How should patients negotiate for sick
leave or disability leave from work? Also,
how do I negotiate for time off from work
to be with my family member for medical
appointments and to help her at home?

If your loved one is currently working or plans to
resume work and she believes the treatment schedule
will interfere with working, she can ask her employer
about flexibility in hours to accommodate treatment
and appointments. Additionally, she should inquire
about temporary disability insurance, continued
healthcare coverage, and medical or family leave.

Employees who have accrued enough sick time may
not have to dip into these benefits. We have also seen
patients bring work with them to the hospital and,
when possible, continue a productive work schedule.

As a primary caregiver for an ill person, you may also
be entitled to time off from your workplace in order to
provide care to the patient. First, you may want to
speak with your supervisor to discuss the possibility of
a flexible work schedule to accommodate medical
appointments, and so forth. For example, instead of
working nine to five, maybe medical appointments can
be scheduled in the mornings, and you can arrive to
work late and work late. This way, you may be able to
maintain your full work schedule, keeping your full
income and benefits.

However, often people cannot alter their work schedule
this way. You should assess your employer’s policy
on taking personal days, vacation days, and possibly
sick leave to care for an ill family member. Some companies
have a pool of employee-donated sick hours for
those who need them. Family medical leave for more
extended periods also may be possible. According to
the Family Medical Leave Act, eligible employees are
able to take unpaid leave from work for up to 12 weeks
and be guaranteed the same or similar position and pay
when they return. Before quoting this law to your
employers, however, investigate how it applies to your
circumstance.

Search the ACS Web site (www.cancer.org)
for specific topics or consult the U.S. Department of
Labor for details.

If you take family leave, be aware that your employer is
not required to hold your same job, only a comparable
one, and that you may not have the same benefits, such
as medical coverage, during your leave. These issues
are important to consider, especially if the patient is
receiving health insurance benefits from your workplace
benefits. Therefore, make sure that you are able
to continue healthcare insurance coverage. This will
entail either you or your employer paying the premium.

You may also spread out the days away from the
job; for example, you may want to take off two days a
week, instead of taking leave all at once. Investigate
your employer’s policies by speaking with your human
resources department and/or your supervisor.