• Em Adespoton@lemmy.ca
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    1 month ago

    In the US, are employers really allowed to pry into what type of medical leave an employee is taking?

    • escapesamsara@lemmings.world
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      1 month ago

      Technically? No. In reality? No employees have enough money to sue their employers, much less be basically permanently out of work due to being unhirable thanks to using a previous employer.

      • Em Adespoton@lemmy.ca
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        1 month ago

        But if an employee says “I need to take a week’s medical leave, here’s a note from my doctor…” the employer doesn’t know the reason and can’t fire the person, right? I’m just failing to see how this can mutate into something worse. Or are you saying it’s common practice in the US for employers to deny medical leave?

        • funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works
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          1 month ago

          getting a note from your doctor requires time off, and costs money from the doctor and potentially lack of pay.

          I started a new job 40 days ago, I can’t have any time off for another 50 days.

          “Luckily” I can attend a dentist appointment by working late that day

          • Em Adespoton@lemmy.ca
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            1 month ago

            Crazy; I just get on a call with my doctor and they email my employer. All covered by insurance and I pay nothing and take no time off.

            If my employer did anything about it like fire me, they’d get reported to the government who would prosecute with minimal involvement from me other than a statement and possibly witness testimony.

        • escapesamsara@lemmings.world
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          1 month ago

          There is no right to paid medical leave in the us. You can request up to 180 days unpaid that is protected… But realistically you’ll be fired within a month after coming back due to “performance issues.” Your employer can also always ask the reason and fire you for not telling them, as then you have no protection from discrimination as your employer can argue they didn’t know enough to discriminate.

          Workers rights in the US, unless you’re in an incredibly powerful union like the police unions or the aviation industry, are non-existent compared to any developed (and most developing) nation.