Is depression protected under FMLA?

Is depression protected under FMLA?

The law is clear that depression may qualify as a serious health condition under the FMLA. To be a serious health condition under the FMLA, your depression must incapacitate you or prevent you from being able to work.

What are mental health conditions covered by FMLA?

What mental health conditions are covered under FMLA? A leave of absence or stress leave is possible for mental health concerns, including major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and others. Like stress leave, you’ll need to meet qualifications to take a leave from work for such conditions.

Is the family and Medical Leave Act applicable to mental health?

FMLA is the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. It’s a law that helps protect your job when you need to take time off for your medical needs. You can also use FMLA to take care of a spouse, child, or parent. The short answer is that yes, FMLA does apply to mental health—but there are some things you should keep in mind.

When to file for FMLA for stress and mental illness?

FMLA has specific guidelines when you file for a stress leave. A leave of absence related to stress, or stress leave, depends on the cause or medical condition. You may be eligible for stress leave depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether they affect your ability to work.

When to take FMLA leave for serious health condition?

Serious Health Condition You may take FMLA leave to care for your spouse, child or parent who has a serious health condition, or when you are unable to work because of your own serious health condition. The most common serious health conditions that qualify for FMLA leave are: 1) conditions requiring an overnight stay in a hospital or other

What is the maximum leave time allowed under a FMLA leave?

What is the maximum leave time allowed under an FMLA leave? Typically, an Eligible Individual has a total of 12 unpaid weeks for all FMLA leaves in any fiscal year. However, if the FML is to act as a caregiver for a military family member, the Eligible Individual could have a total of 26 unpaid weeks in a single 12-month period.

What does every employer need to know about FMLA leave?

In order to determine your eligibility for FMLA leave, however, your employer does need to know the reason you need the time away . So if you are staying out due to a medical condition, you are obligated to disclose it if the employer asks. You may also be required to provide documents from your doctor that certify your eligibility for FMLA leave.

What benefits must be maintained during a FMLA leave?

Similarly, benefit coverage during FMLA leave for medical care, surgical care, hospital care, dental care, eye care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, etc., must be maintained during leave if provided in an employer’s group health plan, including a supplement to a group health plan, whether or not provided through a flexible spending account or other component of a cafeteria plan.

Do you still have a job after FMLA leave?

The purpose of the FMLA is to protect your job during a necessary leave. This means that you will still have a job when you return from your medical leave and that employers cannot use the fact that you took an unpaid medical leave to make employment decisions, such as whether to promote or fire you.