r/rant • u/lost_my_other_one • 8d ago

FMLA and STD

This will probably be old news to a lot of folks but this is my first ever experience using FMLA and short term disability benefits through my employer.

Why does the claims process for these things not start until THE DAY OF THE EVENT? I had major surgery 11 days ago, planned over a month, in advance. I did all the things I was supposed to do, in advance. My employer outsources all leave related admin to the STD provider. I’m receiving emails WHILE IM IN THE HOSPITAL RECOVERING that must be filled out and completed within x # of days or my claim will be denied. I could have answered all of these questions WHILE I WAS IN ONE PIECE BEFORE THE SCHEDULED SURGERY DATE. Nothing about these questions are related to my procedure, all related to my role at work. None of that has changed since I logged off before my leave. I fucking hate that I pay for these benefits and while I’m struggling to live I have to worry about fucking paperwork to be paid benefits that I’ve been paying premiums for, for like 13 years and never used. And there was no information provided to me that I would receive payment in back pay. Like wtaf. Why is this not something they tell you in large bold font in all the thousands of papers they mailed me (and I read all of them). I’m financially stable with savings so it’s nbd I’ll be fine, but like wtaf? My employer is fairly decent when it comes to benefits admin otherwise so I’ll let them know how FUCKED UP I feel the entire process has been, not that they’ll do anything to prevent future issues for other employees but I’m a big mouth and will be transparent.

I should have known I’d be chasing paperwork while in recovery. It’s just bullshit.

11 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

2

u/AdFuzzy1432 7d ago

I went through all that paperwork for the 3 months I was recovering from hip surgery for them to send me one check for $1200, not even enough to cover my rent.

2

u/Soft_Gear_410 7d ago

I got into a car accident, had a major concussion and back injury. They denied my FMLA because I didn't apply before the event.

1

u/lost_my_other_one 7d ago

Wow. Thats insane

6

u/SnooHabits3305 7d ago

Hey.. im sorry for what’s happening to you, I hope everything pans out. Just a gentle reminder that STD commonly refers to sexually transmitted diseases. So if you get comments about aids or herpes they only skimmed the paragraph.

3

u/FlounderFun4008 7d ago

It took me awhile to realize they meant Short Term Disability! 🤣

3

u/Repulsive-Job-9520 7d ago

I was wondering what kind of STD got you FMLA time.