Know your rights

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may protect your job and benefits for unpaid absences up to 12 weeks, and you don’t have to use that time all in a row. Your employer should know about this act, but a social worker can also help you learn about this federal benefit.

• Complete paperwork from your HR department to become eligible. • When FMLA has been exhausted, look into long-term disability coverage.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In most cases, companies that have 15-plus employees are required to make reasonable accommodations to help you do your work by allowing time off for appointments or flexibility with your schedule. Opting into disability plans usually can only happen during health insurance open enrollment periods (dates dependent on place of employment.)

It is illegal for companies to terminate an employee for having an illness as long as they are still able to do their job. If you feel an injustice in the workplace has occurred, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at eeoc.gov.