Work and school
Why this matters: Many people need time off or a change to their schedule to keep a job or finish their studies.
Know your rights (US):
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): unpaid, job-protected leave. You are generally eligible if your employer is covered (50 or more employees within 75 miles), you have worked there for 12 months, and you worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months (dol.gov).
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): employers with 15 or more employees must consider reasonable accommodations for a disability, which can include mental health conditions (ada.gov).
- Schools: colleges and universities have disability services offices that can arrange accommodations, such as extra time on exams.
Ask for a change, in writing:
"I'm dealing with a health issue that is affecting my work. I'd like to talk about options, such as a temporary schedule change or time off. Can we set up a time to discuss this this week?"
You do not have to explain your diagnosis to ask for accommodation. Ask HR what paperwork they need.
Counterpoint: Rights depend on where you live and how large your workplace is. Many workplaces do not follow the rules well, so keep copies of everything you send.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov), ADA (ada.gov). If you live elsewhere, check your country's laws.
Next step: Edit the email above to fit your situation, and send it.