A New Perspective On the Benefits of Medical Leave

This post explains the benefits of taking a medical leave. Some of them may surprise you.

It also shows you how to protect your job and income during your leave.

Give Yourself The Time To Heal 

There are many advantages to taking a medical leave. The first is that you are giving yourself time to heal and recover from your mental or physical illness.

At the end of the day, this may be the only factor that affects your decision to take a leave or not. After all, if your health fails, everything else is pretty much irrelevant.

Some people don’t know how to stop working, even when they are very sick.

They fear their absence from work would hurt their career. 

They fear it would affect their position in the their company.

They fear that they don’t have good reasons to take leave, even when they have severe symptoms.

They want to be a good employee.

They want to be a “productive” member of the society.

They continue to work even when they should stop working.

So these hard working folks work until they are in a severe medical crisis. They end up losing their job anyway. Some people even ignore their illness and work until they die.

That is a terrible thing to do, but sometimes people don’t know any better. A medical leave gives you a chance to work closely with your doctor, receive treatment and heal.

Getting The Rest You Need

When you are working at a stressful job, your rest can be affected.

But when you are on a medical leave, you can finally have enough rest.

During your leave, you don’t have to meet the demands of being a good employee. You may finally get enough rest and sleep.

During your leave, you can experiment with good sleep hygiene.

There is a lot of research on the benefits of sleep.

Rest is vital for a healthy immune system.

Rest helps your body heal.

Rest helps the body make growth hormones.

Rest is a natural stress reliever.

And rest helps the body make more energy.

A leave devoted to resting and healing can be a game changer for your condition.

If you haven’t healed from a longstanding illness or injury, maybe it is time you request a leave.

Avoids Stress

When you take a medical leave, you avoid stress from your work.

It is hard enough to do your job while you are healthy. Consider the stress you put on your body and mind when you work while you are ill.

Many doctors believe that stress can further deteriorate your condition.

The best way to avoid stress from your work or employer is to take a leave.

When you go on a vacation, you may still be thinking about work. You may still be thinking about the deadlines when your vacation ends.

But when you take a leave, you don’t have to worry about making deadlines. You don’t have to improve your work performance for your employer.

You can just relax and focus on healing your condition.

Gain New Perspective

Another great reason for a leave is to get a better perspective on the important things in life.

When you are busy working, you may not have time to stop and think about the larger questions in life.

These questions include:

Is your employer right for you?

Is your work right for your life path?

Is your work hurting your health?

Does your job give you time to be with your family?

What are the reasons for your being at this job?

Do you feel like a productive member of your company?

Do you enjoy going to work?

Do you enjoy interacting with your co-workers?

Are you happy in this particular position?

A leave can be a good time to consider other options. Taking a leave helps you take a good look at your employment situation from a healthy distance.

A Change of Environment

When you are busy with work, you may lock yourself into a certain environment. When you work, you can be exposed to harmful things. The environment you work in can be harmful to your wellbeing.

But when you are on leave, you are free to have a change of scenery.

For example, during your leave, you may spend more time in nature. As you spend more time in nature, you will notice that it will change your outlook.

When you are outside, you will have a clearer mind and your stress will calm down. You will find yourself more focused on what you want to do in your life rather than on what you have to do.

You will be less obsessed with being a “good” employee.

You will see what is truly important in your life.

Your absence from work may allow you more energy and time to consider your doctor’s advice.

You may reconsider your new options for your treatments.

Your condition may even seem like a blessing in disguise.

With a change of environment, you can better understand what motivates you. This is how taking a leave can help you to make the best decisions in life.

More Time With Family 

If you are on leave from your job, you can take advantage of it by spending more time with your spouse and children.

Spending quality time with family members is part of taking care of yourself. You will have the opportunity to rest and relax with your loved ones.

Take the opportunity to engage your spouse and children.

Learn more about them. Plan on doing interesting and meaningful activities with them.

Most of all, express your love and gratitude towards them.  This may help you recover faster. Make plans to spend time with family members, as your illness or injury allows. It is part of the healing process.

Protect Job and Income

Lost Wages

When you take a medical leave, you risk giving up your wage. If you are not paid during your leave, then you are taking an unpaid leave. This may require you to use your savings.

The key is try to get a paid leave, instead of an unpaid leave.

To get paid during your leave, use any disability insurance protection you may have. Check with your employer to see if you have any Employer Sponsored or State disability coverages.

Employer Sponsored Disability Insurance

Employer Sponsored disability insurance is a great resource.

It is part of your employee benefits. It usually provides about 2/3 of your wage, and pays up to 6 months.

To get it, you must have evidence that you are unable to do your job.

So work closely with your doctors. They can provide  the evidence of your disability.

State Disability 

State Disability may also be available to you. It is a great way to get paid during your leave. It usually lasts up to 6 months.

Some State Disability provide more than 6 months. In California, State Disability pays up to 52 weeks. In Rhode Island, it pays up to 30 weeks.

Some people think all publicly administered programs are welfare. That’s not true.

State Disability is not welfare. It is an insurance program run by a state agency. Workers pay the premium through payroll deduction.

Paid Family Medical Leave

Some states offer Paid Family Medical Leave benefits. They don’t require you to have a disabling condition. You just need to have a “serious” health condition.

So don’t go on an unpaid leave of absence when you can get paid instead. Check out what employee benefits and resources you have by asking your employer.

Like State Disability, Paid Family Medical Leave is not welfare. It runs like an insurance program.

Job Security

You may lose your job when you take a leave.  But there are federal and state laws that may protect you as an employee.

Family Medical Leave Act

Many workers are eligible for leave under the federal Family Medical Leave Act.

This federal law requires the employer to give you up to 12 weeks of medical leave in a 12 month period. While you are on FMLA leave, your job is secured.

Many state have their own version of FMLA, which may provide even more protections. Check with your employer to see if you eligible for federal or state FMLA leave.

Not everyone qualifies for FMLA leave. And not every employer needs to provide it. So check with your employer to see whether you are eligible.

Even if you don’t qualify for a FMLA leave, you may qualify for a leave under your employer’s internal policy.

Final Words

If you are ill and have trouble working, don’t be afraid to take a medical leave.

Taking a leave can benefit your mind and body.

It can improve your life and your relationships with loved ones.

It can heal your soul.

May you be happy and healthy.

May you find the peace and stillness you need to rest and heal.