While it may be legal, I'm guessing your company will say no. Most would rather pay you out, than incur the extended health care benefits. They can then refill your position if it's still needed. You could just ask for 7 weeks off in a row, then give 2 weeks notice....
Thanks for the feedback. You may be right about not allowing me to use vacation rather than getting it paid out.
One item I neglected to mention is the fact that I'm also approved for FMLA, and have been using my accrued sick leave to help with my aging parents. My Dad (83) has dementia and must be driven to physical therapy for a shoulder & hip injury from a fall. My Mom just had surgery to remove cancerous tumors and needed to be taken to daily radiation treatments. I'm the only one of 3 siblings with sick leave available to take off work to help them, so I've been taking half-days for the past two months. This has influenced my decision to FIRE once my time is used up as I don't see much improvement in their health coming.
While my work approved my FMLA, it's obvious they are not happy about it. I get nasty emails from my boss wanting projects completed and deadlines given as if I'm there full-time. I think they expect me to work in the evening to stay caught up with assignments. The tone of the emails sound like they are building a case against me (not sure how the law works on that). I elected to use half-days off to try and fulfill as many responsibilities as I could while still taking care of my parents, but not sure if that is working. I'm actually approved for continuous leave, and may advise I will be taking this option as early as June 1st or July 1st. I have enough leave time to take the entire 12 weeks off with pay, so that may be the plan, followed by announcing my resignation at conclusion of it.
This will NOT be well received, but I'm realizing that there's never a GOOD time to leave your job (unless it's your employer's decision, then it's immediately without warning or notice!).
My DW has to remind me that family comes first, and once I walk out for the last time I'll probably never see or hear from anyone there again.
Ugh, it's a difficult decision. I have a staff of 4 that I'm extremely loyal to, and have been concerned from the beginning the impact my absence (temporary or permanent) will have on them. It takes forever for a replacement to be hired for anyone that retires or quits, and I hate for them to have to go through that.
Sorry for the rant; just trying to please everyone all the time without success.
