zlacker

Nope, I've never even __heard__ of someone having to take multiple years of leave from work for any reason. Seems like a fantastically rare event.

>>slingn+(OP)
Not sure if that's intended as irony, but of course, if somebody is taking multiple years off work, you would be less likely hear about it because by definition they're not going to join the company you work for.

I don't think long-term unemployment among people with a disability or other long-term condition is "fantasticaly rare", sadly. This is not the frequency by length of unemployment, but:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1219257/us-employment-ra...

>>slingn+(OP)
In my immediate family I have 3 people that have taken multi-year periods away from work for health reasons. Two are mental health related and the other severe arthritis. 2 of those 3 will probably never work again for the rest of their lives.

I've worked with a contractor that went into a coma during covid. Nearly half a year in a coma, then rehab for many more months. Guy is working now, but not shape.

I don't know the stats, but I'd be surprised if long medical leaves are as rare as you think.

>>yeck+v8
Yeah, there are thousands of hospitals across the US and they don't run 24/7 shifts just to treat the flu or sprained ankles. Disabling events happen a lot.

(A seriously underrated statistic IMO is how many women leave the workforce due to pregnancy-related disability. I know quite a few who haven't returned to full-time work for years after giving birth because they're still dealing with cardiovascular and/or neurological issues. If you aren't privy to their medical history it would be very easy to assume that they just decided to be stay-at-home mums.)