My job is on the line

I post mostly here and the Chronic Fatigue sections, as those are the two issues I have that created the most trouble for me. My concern here is work.

I was put on a final written not long ago for missing time. They see my absences as random and unrelated - and they don't want to know why they're not. They literally told me they don't care, it's not their problem. I'm out, I'm out, period. The final written means one more absence and I'm fired. Lo and behold, over the weekend I came down with an upper respiratory infection. My doctor wrote me out for two days. I had very little voice, and when I could speak, it wasn't loud and it'd make my throat catch (if that makes sense) and I'd go on a hacking spree. Not to mention just overall not feeling well, fever, etc. Oh, I should mention that I do tech support, over the phone - so talking is essential. I do work from home - so I do have to be feeling pretty badly to call out.

Well yesterday was the first day I was back - and I waited pretty much all day for my supervisor to call me up and fire me. It didn't happen. On a co-worker's advice, I emailed him and our scheduling department to see if I could flex the time and make it up - therefore wiping out the "occurrence" (i.e. lame term they use for an absence). Schedules said no - even though this is supposed to be an option - and my supe read the email but never responded. So today, pins and needles again waiting for him to call me up. I work at 3 pm.

I'm nervous, and I'm scared. Financially it could ruin us. I'm about 12 days from being able to file FMLA/STD protection. I hate my job, I won't lie - it's the worst. But it's a job and it's good pay and hey, I work from home. The hours are awful, especially with someone who is ill - 3 pm to midnight. It's generally 2 before I am wound down enough to sleep. Then I'm up early again. I don't know what I'll do. I've started putting out applications - and even for something as simple as maintaining the greeting card section of Walmart, I'm "not eligible" - wth is that?

Ugh, I guess I'm just venting...

Wow. That's not much at all. What are you doing now?

We get what they call "occurrences" if you miss work - no matter the reason. If you're sick, even if you provide doctor's documentation, it's an occurrence. Same with pc problems, power outages, acts of god, your internet or phone going down - and I work for the internet/phone company. If it's specific to me, occurrence. If it's something on their end - no occurrence but you only get paid for 2 hours. So if it's out for 2 hours or 2 days - you only get 2 hours pay. I don't remember the exact policy, but after a certain number of occurrences within a certain amount of time, you get on the roll....verbal, then written, then final written, then termination. My 1 year anniv. with the company is the 16th. I feel like they're pushing to get me out before then, because they know after that I can file for FMLA protection.

So...it's a waiting game.

I hate to sound pessimistic, but it's no accident that they're trying to get rid of you when you're so close to FMLA--lots of companies are notorious for doing this--

Mental Illness is actually a disablility--can you document your absences with legitimate documentation from your doctor or p-doc? Not sure if it would help at this point.

At my current job, I was upfront with my boss AFTER I was hired about my condition and occasional need for time off for p-doc appointments. I also made sure to DOCUMENT that specific communication just incase I needed it further down the line (if you catch my implication). He was very understanding--luckily. But I am also working from a home office so my schedule is pretty flexible.

Not sure if you could sue them--maybe think about an employment lawyer who might offer a free initial consultation.

Good luck!