Stress Leave

[Diesen]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

No I am talking about Extended Healthcare coverage, ie: Group Plan.


In theory as long as the claim for STD or LTD is started before the termination of employment and therefor the plan the claim should still continue to be paid after the termination.

I was wondering this as well, but I only have Blue Cross, and no long term or short term disability.

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by Diesen

I have some vacation time remaining, do I need to use that before I can claim EI sick benefits?

NO, you do not need to exhaust banked time, unless it is a sick bank, which, by the sounds of it your employer does not provide.

Further to my first post regarding applying for sickness benefits, and the timing of it. If you are being laid off in October, it me be easier to apply for EI based on the layoff. You'd begin receiving payments around the same time, without the headache of all the medical requirements.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Like pylon said, work can sometimes actually help with stress. I had a lot of work and home stress with a new baby on the way.. Decided to take a few months of parental leave once my son was two months old.. Being around your depressed SO 24/7 may not be the right decision as I found it put an even bigger strain on us. Eventually we made a commitment to getting out and doing our own things separately which helped .. I can't wait to go back to work in 3 weeks though haha.

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by Diesen

I was wondering this as well, but I only have Blue Cross, and no long term or short term disability.

Without Short Term or Long Term disability, you won't qualify for sick leave through your employer.

But to answer the question regarding STD/LTD and employment termination. An employer can not legally terminate an employee who is on STD or LTD, until the claim is completed.
By completed, I mean, the employee is either fit to return to work, or the allowed time for the claim has been maxed out.

[OutOfTheCube]

Why not just quit? If you're out of the job in October anyways.

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Why not just quit? If you're out of the job in October anyways.

Because quitting = $0, and it's not that he doesn't want to work, it's that he feels under the current situation, it is unhealthy to continue working.

At least that's what you need to tell your doctor and service canada if you want money.

[bigtmac19]

I'm sure if you contact the local mental health association in your community, they can direct you to some short term counselling that would be free, or at least geared to income. There is usually support like that available, especially in large cities, for almost any situation.

[Dion]

The Calgary Counselling Centre works on a sliding fee schedule where you pay what you can afford. Worth looking into.

http://www.calgarycounselling.com/

[CaramonLS]

My advice on this: tough it out until you get laid off, then apply to EI for layoff benefits and then take your time in sorting out your life and finding a good job. Your case sounds pretty cut and dry, so I doubt you'd have any issues collecting.

I would caution against taking stress leave so close to when you will be laid off because you never quite know what your employer will do (bad reference?). Some employers will hold that against you regardless of your circumstances.

[JMN]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation and can't really add to the thread. The advice given so far has been great!

Best of luck to you and your wife and hope that you'll get through this quickly.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Diesen

I totally agree, and it has been a great support to me. I just am not able to concentrate or be very productive right now, and with the end date in a month, my motivation is low.

So? What are they going to do? Fire you? All that gets you is potential extra time off with severance.

I'd kick back, relax, and take in 8 hrs of CP/Internet a day if you can.

[Ahuch]

Originally Posted by Ducay

So? What are they going to do? Fire you? All that gets you is potential extra time off with severance.

I'd kick back, relax, and take in 8 hrs of CP/Internet a day if you can.

I think this is bad advice. I got working notice for a layoff once - and I worked equally hard or harder in those last two weeks. Left with some solid references and ended up getting hired back a few weeks later when work picked up.

[AvsJerk]

I know that your main question is about stress leave, and for that I have no answer...others have given options for that. You also mention a depressed wife and possibly failing marriage on top of your job problems.

I have a good friend that has struggled for the last few years with his wife's depression...which has led to alcoholism and drug abuse (prescription meds, tramadol, heavy marijuana use) on her part, which has affected her ability to stay employed, which has led them into financial ruin. My friend is now a shell of the man he once was, seemingly aged a decade or more in the past couple of years and not that happy himself anymore. I worry for him.

I know this is probably bad advice, but I offer it as another way of looking at things.
Look deeply at your life and your situation. Are happy in your marriage and career choice? Do you truly want to keep on trying and hoping for things to change?

If not, perhaps this is your chance to reinvent yourself. Go back to school for some other career, maybe something else that you are passionate about, or maybe something that makes a lot of money like the oil and gas industry. Careers in the "helping" industry often take their toll on you emotionally. Consider getting a divorce and moving on with your life...after all, you only get one ride on this earth per ticket, and you deserve to be happy yourself. I only mention this as you didn't say anything about kids.

Like I said before, this is probably bad advice and I don't know your whole situation, so take it for it is: free advice from an internet stranger. I hope it all works out for you friend.

[Diesen]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the advice and support. I find it amazing and uplifting that a group of people would take the time to offer advice and support to someone they do not know, and is essentially just a "lurker". It really did help to just get it out there, and read your comments.

[Sliver]

Hang in there, man. It sounds like there are a few things that you'll be working through in the coming weeks and months and I wish you all the best.

If you don't already meditate, it's worth giving a try. I find this guided progressive muscle relaxation calms me down a lot. There is also a compounding affect of doing it every day. When things are super tough, I'll even do it twice a day.

If money is tight, send me a PM and I'll email you $10 so you can buy it:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pr...on/id268354425.

You'll be best able to move through these trials if you take care of yourself by eating healthy, meditating and exercising. One day you'll look back and be proud of yourself for overcoming this tough time. And try smiling at yourself in the mirror once in a while. It kinda helps for some reason.