tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post25080671808372730..comments2024-03-12T02:16:30.251-07:00Comments on Robert's Sister: Helping Working Caregivers to Legally Expand the Definition of FamilyTrish Hughes Kreishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-59706765943689782192014-02-15T00:28:09.038-08:002014-02-15T00:28:09.038-08:00This is really a great thing. There are also one f...This is really a great thing. There are also one friend of mine who is providing service in a caregiving agency in Tampa.<br /><a href="http://www.noplacelikehomecarellc.com/services/" rel="nofollow">Caregiving Services In Hillsborough County</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-1180364078316588512011-09-05T16:04:44.909-07:002011-09-05T16:04:44.909-07:00Hi Trish,
I find it very hard to understand this ...Hi Trish,<br /><br />I find it very hard to understand this culture in so many ways and it feels weird (to me) that there are no laws for people caring for others whether it's a brother or even a friend or anyone.<br /><br />You know that I am from Germany (I don't want to be the person who keeps on saying "but in my country we do it this way..", but I always thought it was a given to help others and get support from authorities. I am living in a foreign country, so I have to learn that things are different, so forgive me nagging).<br /> Ok let me explain, when you decide to take care of someone, you get financial support by the government and extra free-time from your employer (in Germany). You can even take a year off and your employer will have to keep your position when you return. The price is that the society pays for that (up to 50% tax), but everyone gets 32 days vacation, plus weekends, plus holidays and more, sick pay, retirement, medical, unemployment money, etc... So it's a society that is built to help one another, it's not socialism but it's a social system (many people don't get the difference).<br /><br />But I understand that this kind of safety net can't be implemented here because the US has a very different history and background. Therefore, tax is low and there are only few laws regulating -which gives employers a lot of freedom. But because of this, I think it's the employers responsibility to help you as much as possible to make it easier for you. You are doing such an incredible job and you are making this society a better one because you truly care and you are there for others.<br /><br />So if you need any help signing a petition or making my voice heard, I am definitely in! Keep us posted on what we can do. <br /><br />Franziska San Pedro<br />The Abstract Impressionist Artress<br /><br />..I love the support from California Work & Family Coalitions -how did they find you? Awesome!Franziska San Pedrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321842935665484251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-62545163508880741522011-09-05T06:57:40.674-07:002011-09-05T06:57:40.674-07:00June, I'm so sorry you had that experience. No...June, I'm so sorry you had that experience. Now, you are allowed to take at least half your sick time to care for a sick child. However, it's unfortunate that some employers will make things difficult for the employee no matter what the law says. Many times, employers are not aware of these rules -- there are many and it can be cumbersome! No excuse for giving you a hard time. When a child is sick the situation is difficult enough without the added pressure from the employer. My rant for the day! :-) <br /><br />Anyway, thanks for your support. It looks like the bill is not going anywhere this year so we'll have to start fresh next year. I'll keep you informed as to how you can help. Thanks and take care!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-34554130966524264932011-09-02T22:26:30.055-07:002011-09-02T22:26:30.055-07:00Let us know if you have any petitions. By support...Let us know if you have any petitions. By supporting each other, we can make a difference!<br /><br />I'm glad your job is willing to work with you. When my teen was being diagnosed with ADHD in the first grade, I had to take a lot of time off to go to school and various doctor appts. Even though he was my son, I got lectured by my boss for using my sick days on my child. I couldn't imagine how bad it would have been if it was a different family member.June Sockolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06227772055403044113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-35930739343066242272011-09-01T06:56:02.200-07:002011-09-01T06:56:02.200-07:00Judy, Good to have you back but hope you had a nic...Judy, Good to have you back but hope you had a nice time away! The law definitely needs some help in defining who constitutes a caregiver. I love how you share your caregiving stories in your comments -- I am enjoying learning more about you. Uou are so kind to have picked up the baton for your dad in caring for your aunt.Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-73505017233221308162011-08-31T17:44:58.487-07:002011-08-31T17:44:58.487-07:00I'm taken by surprise that siblings are exclud...I'm taken by surprise that siblings are excluded, Trish, given that aging parents often turn to siblings to pick up the charge of caring for a disabled family member. I was the caretaker for an aunt, which people definitely saw as unusual. My aunt had no children, and she was the only sister of my father. He had helped care for her all his life, and then the baton passed to me. Fortunately, I wasn't dealing with legalities, and the laws I did have to deal with ended up working o.k.<br /><br />I should think that the level of caregiving you are doing should count for something in modifying the law. Thanks for letting us know about this, and keep us apprised if there's anything more we can do.<br /><br />Judy Stone-Goldman<br />The Reflective Writer<br />http://www.thereflectivewriter.con/blog/<br />Personal-Professional Balance Through WritingJudy, The Reflective Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12155041904319269319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-37915615983656973592011-08-29T13:10:35.190-07:002011-08-29T13:10:35.190-07:00Heidi, Thank you for always being so supportive! I...Heidi, Thank you for always being so supportive! I'll let you know if there is a petition or if there's something else we can be doing. I've sent an email to Assemblymember Swanson and hope to hear back soon.Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-65857253935293976762011-08-29T13:08:46.910-07:002011-08-29T13:08:46.910-07:00Bill, I really appreciate your support. CFRA (Cal...Bill, I really appreciate your support. CFRA (California) includes registered domestic partners in their definition of family but FMLA (federal) does not. FMLA has made a recent change to cover caring for the children of a domestic partner, however, that does not go far enough in my opinion and believe FMLA should include protection for domestic partners caring for each other. It's very frustrating but hopefully, we can make some progress. Thanks again for the support!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-27117270770986275242011-08-29T12:50:38.851-07:002011-08-29T12:50:38.851-07:00Thank you, Vibhuti, for cross-posting this article...Thank you, Vibhuti, for cross-posting this article! I have liked your FB page and will start following you on Twitter. Can't wait to help do what I can to get this pushed through!Trish Hughes Kreishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995070221130924508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-66310037961392671982011-08-29T10:44:34.213-07:002011-08-29T10:44:34.213-07:00Hello Trish,
Thank you for this important post. W...Hello Trish,<br /><br />Thank you for this important post. We would like to cross-post your blog on the California Work & Family Coalition's website. Please contact me at vibhuti@working-families.org if this is okay with you. <br /><br />Also, please "like" our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WorkFamilyCA and follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/WorkFamilyCA to stay connected with our campaigns. <br /><br />Thank you again!<br /><br />Vibhuti Mehra<br />Labor Project for Working Families<br />510-643-7088Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00874942900845858077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-61043877268629940592011-08-29T09:45:53.000-07:002011-08-29T09:45:53.000-07:00I couldn't agree more. My partner, Jon, has su...I couldn't agree more. My partner, Jon, has suffered with a seizure disorder for years and for many of those years I was a working caregiver. It is challenging to say the least. Anything that will help make it easier is great by me! Email will be on it's way ASAP.<br /><br />Bill Austin Howe<br />www.wahjr56.blogspot.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16650716511828167784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3821611713908924761.post-51738461074277654612011-08-29T07:55:57.540-07:002011-08-29T07:55:57.540-07:00I'm totally with you on this Trish! You are f...I'm totally with you on this Trish! You are fortunate to have a workplace that understands your situation and is (somewhat) accommodating. <br /><br />I'll definitely send an email. Are there any petitions around this too?<br /><br />I have no doubt with your efforts the definition of family will be changed<br /><br />Heidi & Atticus<br />http://www.atticusuncensored.com<br />"commentary to give you paws..."Heidi Alberti & Atticus Uncensoredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05235433621038051444noreply@blogger.com