Introduction:
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is intended as a safeguard for employees during life’s challenging phases, allowing time off to care for loved ones without risking job security. However, my journey with FMLA has been a testament to a system riddled with hurdles and inefficiencies, starkly contrasting its intended purpose.
The Approval Struggle:
My encounter with FMLA began with a need to care for my wife. Anticipating a straightforward process, I was instead met with a series of complications. The necessity of a separate doctor’s appointment to confirm my need for leave was just the beginning of a series of obstacles, adding stress to an already tense situation. This was only just to assist my wife with her struggles not to mention what I have been through for my own personal FMLA and ADA Needs with the same processor.
A Telling Incident:
The stress culminated in a particularly harrowing experience. After being awake for over 48 hours, consumed by stress due to the FMLA processor denying my claim, entire days trying to get my wife’s claim dealt with in the doctor’s offices for her return to work, and the grueling schedule of nights at work and days with the baby my wife has struggled to get back to her routine with, I faced a moment of sheer exhaustion. I fell asleep in my chair upon trying to clock in for my shift, not waking up until 2.5 hours later. This incident was a wake-up call, leading me to call out for the entire shift, not just late for work, fearing such an occurrence could happen during a critical call. Not only does this put a strain on my coworkers but myself because now I stress for fear of my job. Why should taking care of loved ones like your spouse or children have to result in so much stress that my wife would rather me quit and we live in a box than I continue to go through this kind of torture?
Dealing with Matrix Absence Online:
Interacting with Matrix Absence Online, tasked with managing my FMLA requests, was less than helpful. The platform, rather than aiding, seemed to complicate the process further, making it challenging even to get a response. Forcing my doctor to operate even against their standards of nothing should be written on paper in this digital world to protect confidentiality and HIPPA. Yep, you heard that right Matrix and MANY OTHER FMLA Processors still force Medical Staff to submit forms filled out by hand via Fax or Paper Mail. Where is the security in this?
Employer Support:
In this trying time, the support from my supervisor and company was a beacon of hope. They stepped in to prevent any unjust job consequences due to the FMLA process’s inefficiencies. It’s crucial to note that these challenges are not isolated to any single employer but are systemic across various workplaces. I just happen to have a few understanding people around me that do know that I am honestly going through this even if some system wants to say I am not.
Systemic Failures:
The FMLA process, as My Family and I experienced it, seemed almost designed for failure. A program meant to support employees during tough times instead added to the stress and anxiety, with bureaucratic hurdles that discourage employees from asserting their rights. Even still does for simple things like a wireless headset because I would rather buy the headset myself for $150 than use a $10 copay, time out of my day away from my daughter, an additional $70-$80 the doctor’s office will bill me after the copay, and all the wasted time in paperwork along with the fact that I am almost sure to be denied the first 2 times I apply and all of the time it takes to go to the doctors. I’d say the system says me buying them myself for $150 is easier and cheaper, but it simply shouldn’t be.
Conclusion:
My FMLA journey has been and still is an eye-opener, revealing a system in dire need of reform to truly serve the workers it’s meant to protect. The path through FMLA should be supportive and understanding, not fraught with obstacles and frustrations. It’s time for a change, for a system that empathizes with and aids those in need, rather than adding to their burdens.
Edited on November 18th, 2023, at 12:34 PM Eastern Time.
