I’ll try to make this as short as possible as I am in a situation I’ve never been in before with my previous employer through the years fortunately. I am in the US and I have had some medical troubles in recent month’s that I ultimately ended up taking short term disability for per recommendation of my boss as I was just short on eligibility for FMLA.
The benefit was approved right out of the gate within 7 days of filing it and approved once more prior to it getting closed this month. The strange thing was after my last doctor visit I sent in paperwork to my case manager that showed upcoming visits, treatment plan and even the doctor recommendations to continue short term leave due to inability to adequately perform my job duties. The claim was basically not extended for the next month as per their closure response was that my condition no longer would stop me from doing my job duties. Again, odd being that this time the doctor specifically stated they would stop me from doing them. Previous month approvals didn’t even have the doctor recommendation within it.
So now the claim is closed after I sent this information for extension I was told I can file an appeal but takes about 45 days to hear back. After my benefits department got notice the claim was closed I was asked to return with a doctors clearance note of which I’m not ready for and they even set it be on or within the next 20 days as I’m now considered on unauthorized absence yet still on leave so they cannot pay me sick leave since I’m not approved to go back via doctor.
Needless to say I am very confused as if I file an appeal as the benefit was only good for another month anyway and will surpass their timeline requested. Also even if approved again on appeal it would require a LTD claim by that point. However, since I can’t return right now in full capacity I don’t have any other option but to just sit tight until I’m in a full capacity to work without concern.
That said I wanted to get your recommendation on what you think is best at this point? Being that short term disability in it of itself is not job protected leave in my state and as they also mentioned this in their correspondence that they could let me go even if it got approved further. If I don’t return by the date requested I’d presume I’ll also let go as well by that time table as well.
Should I cut ties on my own accord? Ask for a severance? Should I even bother on a claim appeal? Or just let them let me go and look for another place of employment after I’m recovered? If anyone has any other suggestions I’m all ears. This whole thing is just a major headache that I was hoping to not deal with on top of everything else and around the holidays.
Thanks in advance