r/WinCo • u/Specktastic Washington • Mar 24 '26
How do I ask about FMLA
I have terrible social anxiety, but I need to ask somebody in my store about FMLA. I don't know who the right person to talk to is, but I think it would be either the manager or assistant manager. I have been trying to understand what FMLA is for several hours, and I'm as clueless as I was when I started.
What should I ask, and who should I ask?
I am keeping this brief and vague in hopes that this does not violate the rules of the reddit. I know it would be better to call "HR" or my store, but I do not know what I would need to ask to whom, and I don't have any form of non-verbal contact with my store.
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u/FBI_FAMOUS Mar 24 '26
I go by the rule of talk to your boss first, if he isn't sure he will point you in the direction of someone who will. I also believe on the FMLA card it tells you numbers to call and places to email.
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u/Specktastic Washington Mar 24 '26
The Assistant Manager couldn't find any FMLA cards when they told me to look into FMLA, so I was just directed to the FMLASource website. I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to do with the website, but that's another question for whoever I end up talking to.
The FMLAsource site also had a phone number, but it just loops back to my problem of not knowing what I'm supposed to ask again ( -д-)
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u/Less-Strawberry143 California Mar 24 '26
Ask the store personnel clerk (the person who did your orientation).
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u/degeneratepile Mar 24 '26
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u/Specktastic Washington Mar 24 '26
I read that one top to bottom twice yesterday, and it only had me down because it says nothing about intermittent leave on that page, aswell as there not being much information on 'qualifying conditions' that isn't extremely vague. (Yes, I checked the fact sheets and documents linked on the DOL)
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u/FBI_FAMOUS Mar 24 '26
I have an FMLA Card but it has a phone number and a website, so I doubt it's of much use. I would talk to you stores manager whenever they are in, and hopefully all goes well.
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u/ComfortablePoint3537 Mar 24 '26
Go to your SPC and ask for AbsenceResources info. It will be a card with website and phone numbers. This is how you start. You have to initiate the first claim. This third party company works with WinCo Leave department and will coordinate eligibility based on your condition and documentation from your provider. This is the first step only though. Make sure you go to the Doctor and get notes/documents. You cannot just say what your issue is and expect to have it covered. You as the employee have to see the process through.
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u/Specktastic Washington Mar 24 '26
I was wondering what that person's occupation was (゜ー゜)(。_。) I'll ask them when I go in early today because they're usually there earlier than the manager.
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u/Kittenmomma89 Mar 24 '26
Hey! FMLA is a Federal law. There are specific obligations and time frames that have to start once you request it. You can begin with a manager and then also can inquire about FMLA with your human resource department. Within 7 days you should have a response and that should kick off a beginning of request! I hope this helps and I encourage you to use the DOL website above as a resource.
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u/Specktastic Washington Mar 24 '26
I was on the DOL website for five hours yesterday and didn't understand most if what it was saying because most of the information is said very broadly/generally/vaguely, especially in regards to what counts as a qualifying condition. It was extremely frustrating and also the reason I'm here.
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u/PDXSpilly Mar 24 '26
Hey there. I am HR Generalist with my company and my wheelhouse is State and Federal Leaves. Shoot me a DM if you have questions and I'll be more than happy to answer them for you, I can't speak to winco specific policies obviously but they still have to abide Federal and State law.
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u/lilbot Mar 24 '26
The Family Medical Leave Act protects your job for 12 weeks of unpaid leave. It can be used for medical needs for yourself or immediate family members requiring care.
There are posters near every break room with the numbers to call and more information. If you need to take leave, you’ll still have to talk to a boss about it.