Can anyone think of any reason why someone would need to take two months off work because sleep apnea?

I know sleep apnea can be dangerous (I suffer from it myself, but I understand that it can probably get much more severe than the degree to which I have it), but I can't imagine how taking time off from work would help. I'm talking telling your employer they must hold your position for a period of two months because their doctor told them they had to take time off. It just sounds so fishy.

I would actually love it if someone could actually confirm that this course of action is legit and maybe sort of explain why. I just can't imagine how it would help.

Thanks in advance

Nowadays it seems that as long as you have a "doctor's excuse" you can get time off (medical leave) for just about anything. You can literally go to your doctor, tell them that you're "really stressed" and that you need a month off work to rest and recover and they will write a note for your boss.

When they do that, legally it makes it pretty tough for the employer to do anything but say, "okay" and go along with it; otherwise they are opening themselves up to a lawsuit. They must keep your job open for you. They don't have to pay you during that time, unless it's a job-related injury or you have accummulated paid sick leave, though.

It really comes down to most employers are SO fearful of being sued that they won't fight it.

This is how far "worker's rights" have come in this country (USA). Pretty much a free ride for any slacker who knows how to "work the system", which makes it tough for the people who really may need the time off to recover from a legitimate illness.

It's really a shame.

I tried cpap for about a month before giveing up on it. I wish now I would of took time off work. Maybe I would of had more time to work on the issues. Instead I found myself taking the mask off and telling myself I need at least a little sleep for work. I know for that month I was a slacker. So maybe if your boss understands that your tring a new medical device. That my also improve your productivity at work. It is not so bad

Yes, needing 2 months off from work due to your sleep apnea is a very legitimate and necessary action to take. This time helps you to adjust to a pretty stressful change your body needs.

I have had to do it several times. Currently, though, I am disabled, for over 2 1/2 years because of my symptoms, so I had to resign from work.

In the U.S., we have the "Family Medical and Leave Act" (FMLA) available to us, for our personal illness or a close family member who is dependent on your care. Your job is protected for 90 days, as long as you have worked more than 1250 hours in the last 12 months. Your employer may require you to use vacation time or a week of it so you are paid, after that your employer may have short term disability benefits to continue a percentage of your pay, other than that, it would be unpaid time off. If you return after 60 days, for example, you have 30 days remaining for the next 12 months for FMLA at which time you'd be eligible for the full 90 days again, this is called a rolling 12 month period.

This all may seem to be very "extreme" for you right now, but remember, this is your life and the government and your employer have these benefits set up in the first place to assist you if you need them.

Mike

Well, I cant speak for anyone else, but I will say this... If the person requesting that much time off is fairly older, and having sufffered other debilitating sideeffects from the SA, then I think it is completely understandable, but....
I am only 33 and was diagnosed with mixed SA and type 2 diabetes at the same time. I have suffered with the diabetes for nearly 3 years (doctors opinion based on the damage its done to me) untreated, and most likely one form or the other of SA all my life. The changes I had to make and are still making were and are drastic indeed. But I have found that working, and my family responsiblities have kept me from making my lifes focus, my phsyical issues. In conclusion, change stinks but we all have to deal with it. But no one that is physically still able should let any illness supersede life. After all there is a difference between just living, and living your life to the fullest. A person has to take care of themselves and their health, but they shouldn't make themselves miserable because that is all they think about.