FMLA - Why is it so hard?

[sanantone]

Having a bad job is not enough for FMLA. That's usually remedied by quitting. Taking a break is a temporary solution to your problem, and FMLA is not a substitute for using vacation hours and personal days. Normally, you would need a diagnosis and reason why a break in work is needed. For example, if you were diagnosed with anxiety or depression, you may need time for the medication and/or therapy to start working. If you're just stressed because of the job itself, then the stress is going to come right back once you go back to work.

Trust me, 9 to 5 jobs are usually not even among the most stressful jobs. The most stressful jobs are ones that run 24/7 and have odd hours: healthcare, air traffic control, fire/ems/law enforcement dispatch, police officer, corrections officer, etc. Doctors are often on call and might even have to work 24+ hour shifts. Many of them do not know what it's like to work 9 to 5 because their shifts are several times worse. Even in private clinics, they often have 10 to 12-hour days. Working 9 to 5 would be a dream for a lot of people. The only things better than working 9 to 5 are working part-time, being self-employed on your own schedule, or being unemployed with a lot of money in the bank.