Sign Up For FMLA!

We CTA workers are deprived of Paid Leave. Despite municipal ordinance and state law, we live and work with fear of punishment if we get sick—or must care for a sick family member.

Until we organize and fight for it like a real union, we have to figure out ways to keep our jobs along with with our lives.

Intermittent FMLA is our only alternative. 

After 1,250 hours (about 157 days) within twelve months of employment, you will be eligible for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protection. This right is design for sickness and medical care that you or family members may need. It will provide one or more days of unpaid time off work per month that will not lead to any form of punishment. 

This applies to all employees (Part-Time, FTT and Full-Time Permanent).

All of us suffer from some kind of physical and/or mental ailments that need attention. That includes family who we must care for such as a child with therapy needs or a parent with chronic illness. Your manager has no right to know the reasons for using it. Nor can they write you up for absenteeism once you use it! As soon as you meet the criteria, I recommend that you do the following to obtain FMLA Intermittent Leave:

1. Schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor for whatever reason needed.

2. 10-12 days before you show up for the appointment, call Sedgwick Leave Management at 844-282-7038 and speak with a human. Tell the person that you need paperwork for Intermittent Leave. Do it in this order because the paperwork has a time limit.

3. Bring the Sedgwick paperwork with you for the doctor appointment. Explain the ailment you or the family member is suffering and discuss how Intermittent Leave will help. The doctor will need to submit the completed forms by the specific deadline that Sedgwick states on the form. Make sure the doctor understands the time constraints.

4. Stay in touch with the doctor’s office and Sedgwick to make sure it is received and processed. 

5. After you are approved, carefully follow the process whenever you need a day off work to take care of yourself or family member. Do not open a new claim for each use. Simply use the same one and recording the confirmation number. Give both to the manager when you call off work. I recommend using the automated phone system. The website can be a little confusing and it is easy to make mistakes. Sometimes it just doesn't work with certain browsers. The website is better for staying up-to-date about your status and getting questions answered.

Keep in mind that if you use more than 2 consecutive Intermittent Leave days, any other consecutive days thereafter will put you in the "Sick Book" or "Sick List."  

Please take advantage of this federal, legal right as soon as you are eligible. It will save your job—and possibly your life! Learn more about this important right at the U.S. Department of Labor website.