My father is terminally ill. Here in the U.S., I need to have worked for an employer for 12 months to qualify for FMLA leave to care for him (to my understanding). There's a good chance I would need to take this kind of leave in the next year because he is beginning to decline. FMLA is not guaranteed, but I am likely to get the FMLA leave because of the type of employer I have and my length of employment. From what I understand FMLA leave guarantees you a position with your company on your return, so I wouldn't totally lose my job. I have time banked so that the FMLA would be mostly paid, at least for maybe two months, but I would lose all of my sick and vacation time doing it. Somewhat good news, for the U.S. at least, right?
Here's the rub: I desperately want to change jobs due to low wages (in my field) and more work due to other people quitting. I have turned down three different offers in the last two months with great companies that would have paid up to triple my current salary. I explained to all three that FMLA was my primary concern, hoping they might know of some work around or some benefit they offered that would solve the problem. All three said that they were very sorry to hear, wished me well, and asked that I reach out to them whenever I'm ready so we can pick up where we left off.
So as I see it, I have two choices:
- Stay in my current job, continue to be unhappy, make low wages, take paid FMLA leave to ease my family members passing, then go back to work and maybe, possibly find a new job after all of that, assuming the job market is like it is now.
- Take the new job, make more money and be happy for a few months, then quit because I need to take care of my dad for a little while. Look for a new job, explaining to future employers why I only worked with my last company for 4 to 7 months.
Am I missing anything here? I'd love to be wrong about this.