Planning for Your Leave

There are a few important things to take care of before your leave begins, from notifying the right people and completing required paperwork to planning for changes to your pay and benefits. Use the checklist below to help you plan ahead and make sure you cover the essentials.

Before Your Leave

Notify the Right People Early

Give as much advance notice as possible. For foreseeable FMLA leave, federal law generally requires at least 30 days’ notice when practical.
Contact MetLife to report your leave and begin the leave process.
Notify your manager of your leave.
If your state offers paid leave benefits, determine whether a separate application is required.

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Understand What Type(s) of Leave Apply

Determine whether your leave falls under Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) or job-protected leave.
Review eligibility for Voluntary Short-Term Disability benefits.
Understand parental or bonding leave benefits, if applicable.
Review any state-paid family or medical leave programs.
Identify any company-specific leave programs that may apply.

Complete Required Paperwork

This could include:

Medical certification forms.
Disability claim forms.
State leave applications.
HR documentation.
Return-to-work requirements and forms, if known.

Understand Your Pay and Benefits

Understand how much of your pay will be replaced during your leave.
Identify any waiting periods before benefits begin.
Understand how employer and state benefits coordinate.
Determine whether you must continue paying benefit premiums.
Understand how long benefits remain active during leave.

Prepare Your Work Transition

Document current projects and deadlines.
Create handoff notes and procedures.
Identify backup contacts and responsibilities.
Set expectations around communication during leave.
Transfer ownership of key tasks when necessary.

Take Care of Personal Planning

Budget for any income changes.
Schedule medical appointments.
Review available support resources.
Understand important life-event deadlines related to benefits.

Planning Checklist

Notify MetLife and your manager.
Complete required paperwork.
Apply for state benefits, if applicable.
Understand pay and benefits impacts.
Create work handoff plan.
Document projects and responsibilities.
Plan financially.

Questions?

MetLife — Report Your Leave and Track Progress
Call 877-638-8262 to report your leave and to ask questions about your leave, including whether your leave has been approved and when you can expect payment, if applicable.

BAYADA Leave Management — Leave Program Support
Email LeaveManagement@bayada.com for additional assistance understanding your leave options, leave requirements, or BAYADA’s leave process.