Is it legal for an employer to deny you having days off for medical reasons?
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Is it legal for an employer to deny you having days off for medical reasons?
I recently asked for a day off to take my soon to be 1 year old to her doctors. I was told because it’s an unpaid day which I had to take because I have no vacation time left that my manger has the right to deny any unpaid day off. However, she will approve vacation days, which is a lie because I put in for a vacation day and that got denied. I also had a doctor ‘s note one time to be out for 3 days because I sprained my ankle and almost lost my baby at 5 months pregnant. They said they didn’t have to accept the note because I didn’t hurt myself while on the clock. I really need some advice I don’t know where yo turn at this point.
Asked on August 24, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Employers do not need to let employees take time off for medical reasons, whether their own or another family member's, unless the employee has and properly uses some paid time off e.g. sick days to cover the absence or the employee is eligible for and properly puts in and uses leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act FMLA you can find the rules for this leave, including who is eligible, on the U.S. Department of Labor website. Apart from the above, it is the employer's right to deny time off for medical reasons and require the employee to instead schedule a doctor's appointment for a weekend, or before or after work hours.
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