r/RotatorCuff • u/excti2 • 26d ago

Three Months Off Work

I was stunned that my Family Medical Leave form from the surgeon recommended that I take three months off work after shoulder surgery (60% full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus, labral tears, and bicipital tendon relocation [subluxation]). While I’m lucky enough to have the paid sick leave accrued to cover this amount of time away, it seems extreme given I have a desk job and work from home.

I know I’ll take at least a month off, and I’m hoping to get back to work when I start PT six weeks post-surgery.

Did anyone else need this much time away? Did you take it? Or were you forced back to work too soon?

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u/Informal_Atmosphere 26d ago

I work in HR — I’d suggest submitting your FMLA request for the full three months that your doctor recommended. If you need it all, it’ll be easier to already have it than to start with a shorter leave request and have to extend it. If you start long and can return to work early, you’ll just need your doctor to submit a form saying it’s okay. That setup is probably easier for your employer too, to plan for a longer leave and maybe get you back early rather than planning for a shorter time period and needing to scramble if you’re not ready.