Employer Trying To Get Out Of Paying Approved Paid Medical Leave. What Do I Do??

Hello! This is a long one so stay with me. I’m going to do it in timeline form to organize my thoughts.

- I have suspected POTS and was getting worse, and I knew I qualified for short term disability. I was fully aware I didn’t have FMLA, so would most likely lose my job on leave, but I could atleast remain on leave and collect payments anyways. I left work one day super sick and emailed my regional (we didn’t have a store manager at the time) that I needed to go on medical leave.
- I received a call from the regional the same day saying I do not qualify for any type of leave, and if I didn’t return it would be considered my resignation. I said I know for a fact I qualify for STD. He argued and said I haven’t been there long enough. I said I have been there for several months and the eligibility for STD is 30 days and it also says that in my employee portal. He said he would reach out to HR.
-He then sent an email out including HR, asking them to send me leave paperwork. I sent an email with screenshots of my eligibility and their own policy.
-HR responded and clarified it is not job protected. They did not provide any more resources, and continued to focus on the FMLA portion and not explicitly stating I qualify for STD. They kept saying “let us know if you plan to return to work or resign” as if those are my only 2 options.
-I fought back knowing my rights, explaining I worked as a disability rep
- they finally stated I am eligible. They continue to focus on the job protected aspect, and then also provide paperwork for a company medical leave (which they should have stated in the beginning when they claimed I had no options)
-I submitted my medical paperwork and they denied the company medical leave, and said if I didn’t return to work they’ll “consider” it my resignation.
- I fought back saying that’s not how resignation works.
- I was able to finally file a claim with MetLife, and was officially on leave. They sent my termination letter once my PTO was used up.
- I got my leave approval, and finally felt validated and relieved.
- BUT WAIT THE BS IS NOT OVER
- MetLife has told me over the phone and in my approval letter that my employer pays the benefits. Now my employer is claiming they’re wrong and it may “take some time to fix”

I’m so sick of this. They are making this so difficult and I’ve reported them to the dept of labor. What else can I do?? I emailed HR, I’ve called MetLife. Nobody wants to escalate this

Location: WI