Женщине из Фарго отказали в оплачиваемом отпуске по болезни из-за ошибки в документах

FARGO — When Kerry Berg learned she would need a double mastectomy to treat aggressive breast cancer, she applied for Minnesota Paid Leave to help bridge the gap as she recovered. Berg, who lives in Fargo but worked in Minnesota, was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in March. With her surgery scheduled in mid-May, she applied for four weeks of continuous paid leave through the state-run program on May 6. Minnesota Paid Leave offers payment and job protections for Minnesota employees who need to take time away from work for their own health or to care for a family member. ADVERTISEMENT But after submitting her application, Berg was left waiting for two months, with little information about what was taking so long. Her answer came July 6 in the form of a denial. Due to a discrepancy in reported paid time off, her application was rejected. She reapplied on July 10, Berg said, but it would be another month before she got approved. The mother of three said the delays have left her in financial ruin. “I wanted to use this time to heal from my illness, concentrate on getting well, and I’m spending all my time calling people and sifting through paperwork and redoing things that shouldn’t have to be redone months after it happens,” Berg said. “And so you have to ask the question: What safety net do people really have in these kinds of situations?” More Minnesota news: At the same time Berg applied for the continuous leave for surgery, she also applied for intermittent leave — short paid breaks spread out over time — to use as she continued treating her cancer with chemotherapy and radiation. She was approved for intermittent leave on June 25, more than a month after submitting her application. While waiting to hear back on her continuous leave, in late July, Berg was notified she would be part of a layoff at Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, where she worked as the director of the Host Homes program. In an emailed statement, LSS said the Host Homes service is adapting to funding changes, and LSS adjusted its operating model to support the long-term sustainability of the service. “We understand this is a difficult transition for the team members affected by these changes,” the statement said. “These decisions do not reflect their dedication or contributions, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to the people we serve.” ADVERTISEMENT The organization declined to comment on Berg’s situation, saying it does not discuss "individual personnel matters, medical information, leave requests or benefits publicly.” Berg’s continuous leave request was approved Aug. 14, the same day The Forum reached out to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for comment. While the state of Minnesota could not comment on Berg’s case, DEED Deputy Commissioner Evan Rowe told The Forum the vast majority of Minnesota Paid Leave applications are approved in two to three weeks. When staff need to follow up with applicants about inaccuracies in their application, it can add to processing time, he said. More Fargo news: As of August, the state has approved around 85,000 Paid Leave applications since the program began in January. “Even in the early days of this program, we’re hearing how much this program means for Minnesotans,” Rowe said. “We’re working really hard to, again, deliver this program with integrity and … working hard to deliver a great experience for Minnesotans every day.” Rowe suggested applicants look to paidleave.mn.gov for information about the program. When applying, applicants should get on the same page as their employer, send documentation certified by their medical provider and submit a complete application. While there was a big wave of applications when the program started in January, it has since stabilized, Rowe said. ADVERTISEMENT For clients of nonprofit law firm Cancer Legal Care, Minnesota Paid Leave has been a mixed bag, according to Director of Legal Services Erin Hartung. The nonprofit law firm provides free legal services to Minnesota residents who have cancer, along with their families and caregivers. “We’ve encountered a lot of clients where they have been approved very quickly, very seamless, happy with how the program has gone,” Hartung said. “We’ve also heard stories, too, where there’s hiccups along the way, and people are not getting approved as quickly as we would hope.” Cancer Legal Care advocated for Minnesota Paid Leave. Along with providing partial income replacement, the program provides job and benefit protection, giving people going through medical treatment more stability. Hartung is hopeful some of the hiccups in the new law can be worked out and the program can be improved. For clients that are approved for Minnesota Paid Leave, it gives them time to focus on their health and spend time with loved ones without worrying about a financial cliff, Hartung said. “It provides a feeling of that continuity, and that holds a lot of weight for people who are going through so much turmoil in everything else, in their health and situation, so it’s hugely important,” she said. After Berg’s continuous leave was approved in August, she received payment for time she took off for her surgery and recovery. “It hasn’t been enough to help me get ahead on my mortgage payment and my car payments, but at least now we don’t have to worry about... how are we going to eat,” she said. ADVERTISEMENT The payment came in time for the school year, so Berg was able to buy new clothes and school supplies for her 10- and 12-year-old, she said. Berg applied for forbearance on her house and car loans. Berg's last day at LSS was Sept. 1. Without a job in Minnesota, Berg loses her intermittent leave benefits, she said. If Berg does apply for new jobs, she wonders what her chances of getting hired are as she continues cancer treatment, which she expects to continue through November. “What I should be doing is just focusing on my health and getting through these next couple of months versus trying to work just because I have no other choice,” she said. Berg's family has set up a GoFundMe to help support her through her cancer treatment. By Ingrid Harbo Ingrid Harbo joined The Forum in March 2024. Harbo reports on Moorhead and Clay County news. Readers can reach Harbo at 701-241-5526 or [email protected]. Listen to this article Conversation