I am at a crossroads where I have to either resign due to torturous work environment or apply for FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) leave and I have chosen the latter. For those unfamiliar, most larger companies and pretty much all government is compelled to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave throughout any 12 month period for a variety of medically related reasons. Workers can use this to take time off if they meet certain criteria.
The company is saying that the Department of Labor allows them to require a “medical certification” signed by any qualified healthcare provider, that says I am unable to continue working due to a serious health condition (mental does count, such as stress, anxiety, depression, ptsd, etc) and that I have at most 15 calendar days to provide it since giving my notice to them.
I thought it would be easy by just going to any health provider so I saw a psych today and they said they would not sign off on FMLA paperwork because I had no history with them specifically and wanted four months of continuing treatment before they would feel comfortable making any statements. Well, this is uncomfortable, because this particular doc wants 4 months and I have basically 2 weeks to get any healthcare provider to sign off.
For anyone who has been in a similar situation or knows about this kind of thing, what is the best way to get an FMLA signed off by a doc somewhat quickly? Every doc has their own rules, of course.. but the law is making me move fast on this. My plan is to just go thru a list of providers on my insurance and cold call down the line until I get a casual/relaxed healthcare provider who will be cool, hear my anguish and request for time off, and then sign off. Does anyone have any better ideas or advice here? This in Florida btw.