[jefflyman]

Hi all,

I have been on short-term medical leave (full-pay STML from my employer) for about 2 months, and already approved for the 3rd month. My health condition is better now (spine fracture after a car accident)l however, I'm already told by my coworkers that my supervisor plans to get rid of me following my 3 months disability leave. In the mean time, I'm offered another similar position from a different company - so the timing is perfect.

So my question is, do I need to cancel my short term medical leave when I start my new job next week? Or can I let it ride till the end of month to collect 2 more weeks of paychecks while starting another job? What would be the consequence if I get caught doing this? Would this be a felony? I do not care about being fired by my current company because HR won't reveal that I'm fired if anyone asks).

Please refrain from replying with "Liar", "you're wasting taxpayers money"... I know this is unethical and I shouldn't do this. I'm just wondering what the consequence is if I get caught since I'm very low on cash because of the car accident (my car insurance let me down). Please, useful answers or just ignore this message, thank you.

[joypulv]

'do I need to cancel my short term medical leave when I start my new job next week?' Yes
'Or can I let it ride till the end of month to collect 2 more weeks of paychecks while starting another job?' You can as in able, as long as your old employer doesn't find out, but when they do, they are going to sue for their money back, and probably tell your new employer, which you REALLY don't want for the sake of being deemed trustworthy. The new employer would probably fire you. Which they can, for any reason.
'Would this be a felony?' No. Cases like this end up in Civil Court because it's not worth proving that you took the money knowingly.

Basically - it's not worth it, aside from the ethics. You'd be out of 2 jobs.

[ScottGem]

Then is another issue here. Have your doctors approved you for work? If you have not been approved, then you would be endangering your new job, if they found out you started work before being medically approved, they can fire you.

All in all, its better to be on the up and up here.

[jefflyman]

Thank you for your feedback, they are very much appreciated!

I decided to play it safe and do the ethical thing - $$$ can be earned again, my reputation cannot.

And thanks for the reminder that I need to be medically cleared prior to going to work.