[NAGDU] Time Off While In Guide Dog Training

[Mary Metzger]

If the employer is a state or federal government entity, there will probably
be (as there is in New York State) specific guidelines for the types of
leave that an employee who is training with a new guide dog can charge.
Human resources admininstrators should, but may not always, be aware of
these provisions.

Mary Beth Metzger

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hingson
via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2018 4:34 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Michael Hingson <mike at michaelhingson.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Time Off While In Guide Dog Training

All,

It is reasonable to discuss with HR the fact that obtaining a guide dog is
part of what you need to do your job and should be considered an educational
expense. Companies often send employees for special training on one thing or
another. Getting a guide dog is no different.

Not all companies will accept this, but it is worth trying. 


Best Regards,


Michael Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Newton, Cherie via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2018 5:57 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Newton, Cherie <cnewton at itsmarta.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Time Off While In Guide Dog Training

Hi Mike & Tracy,

The 2 times I've had to take time from work I was able to use some of my
accrued Long Term Sick (LDS) time. The first time I was able to get an
accelerated retraining with GDB, so only needed 2 weeks. The second time my
current guide, my third came from Freedom and I only needed a week. I am
awaiting a class date now at TSE and am working with HR once again to do the
same. Since this will be my first time with TSE, they want me to have 4
weeks available although they say I'll probably go home in 2.5 weeks along
with the other retrains. I have not had an answer from my HR department as
of yet. 



You can't control the wind, but you can adjust your sails

Cheers,

Cherie Newton & White Shepherd Guide Windy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2018 8:45 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Time Off While In Guide Dog Training

Hi Mike.
This is always a problem for me.  I've tried to arrange to take medical
leave, but couldn't get HR to understand what I was talking about.  That was
several years ago now, so they may be more receptive these days.  My boss
quietly agreed to let me work part-time while I was in class, then didn't
bother me, though he could have if I was really needed.  Since then, I've
done "home-and-away" which means I'm in class for about 2 weeks, then work
with a trainer at home part of the day, and work my job the rest of the day.
That's worked well.  I think I took the actual class time as vacation, but
I've forgotten.
I've thought about really working during class, and talked to others who've
done it.  The people I talked with felt it was quite a strain to do very
much.  There's some "downtime", but a lot of it is filled with homework for
the night's lecture or working on stuff with the dog.  Also, the older I
get, the more tired I am in class, once things get going, and I need some
time to just veg out.  I think I could manage a couple hours a day of job
stuff, but not much more.
HTH.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Forzano
via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2018 8:58 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Michael Forzano
Subject: [NAGDU] Time Off While In Guide Dog Training



Hi All,
I'm wondering what arrangements folks have made with their employer
regarding time off while training with a guide dog. So far, I've heard using
vacation time or potentially some sort of personal or medical leave as
options, but haven't really started the conversation yet so would be great
to know what others have done to help set expectations. 

Thanks,
Mike
_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nfbnet.org_mailman_listi
nfo_nagdu-5Fnfbnet.org&d=DwICAg&c=bxPc2m0ObpqDZEXBKvMy_w&r=HcrwhdhMdAGUwsB5Y
24ptJnRJIWAvwPlNQXimYyib7o&m=a7N0NQAnXz4aYZL86YIJm2XBy-EAaZeR2b8Oji5adqw&s=9
gJFzX7sV0bYGIlmi1EQXvGclVIz_I01n4CN7qiEw8c&e=
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nfbnet.org_mailman_optio
ns_nagdu-5Fnfbnet.org_carcione-2540access.net&d=DwICAg&c=bxPc2m0ObpqDZEXBKvM
y_w&r=HcrwhdhMdAGUwsB5Y24ptJnRJIWAvwPlNQXimYyib7o&m=a7N0NQAnXz4aYZL86YIJm2XB
y-EAaZeR2b8Oji5adqw&s=hO8On3NsPDCFP4KZQ-u7msR2-fQbGs0jif9uU4XbX3Y&e=


_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nfbnet.org_mailman_listi
nfo_nagdu-5Fnfbnet.org&d=DwICAg&c=bxPc2m0ObpqDZEXBKvMy_w&r=HcrwhdhMdAGUwsB5Y
24ptJnRJIWAvwPlNQXimYyib7o&m=a7N0NQAnXz4aYZL86YIJm2XBy-EAaZeR2b8Oji5adqw&s=9
gJFzX7sV0bYGIlmi1EQXvGclVIz_I01n4CN7qiEw8c&e=
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nfbnet.org_mailman_optio
ns_nagdu-5Fnfbnet.org_cnewton-2540itsmarta.com&d=DwICAg&c=bxPc2m0ObpqDZEXBKv
My_w&r=HcrwhdhMdAGUwsB5Y24ptJnRJIWAvwPlNQXimYyib7o&m=a7N0NQAnXz4aYZL86YIJm2X
By-EAaZeR2b8Oji5adqw&s=wp_MXNIOWEwwZPFXVE6bXhipxGVAhTr7lmxIWsf3clw&e=

_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/mike%40michaelhingson.com


_______________________________________________
NAGDU mailing list
NAGDU at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/mmetzger1%40nycap.rr.com