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Posted 6/16/2009 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all!
ok, so I'm caught between a rock & a hard place. I'm sick & in horrible pain. My docs are telling me to take some time off. My new boss at the temp agency is telling me that if I miss so much as a day of work that she will fire me. Honestly, I don't care about my job that much, but it would also mean not even qualifying for unemployment and that she would blackball me with my security investigation needed for most of the federal jobs for which I've applied.

If I were missing days left & right I could understand, but I'm really, really sick right now. Yesterday I had to lay on the floor during the workday b/c my back went out & it was the only way to keep my voice under control enough to still make the stupid marketing calls. I told her to just find someone else, but she said she couldn't get anyone else who was even remotely qualified (REALLY?! In THIS environment of rampant unemployment where I'm up against 5000 other people for every job, she can't find ONE other qualified candidate for the job. WTH?).

So one would think that since I am so uniquely qualified that I could write my own ticket, but she is psycho & heck-bent on making me into a groveling, submissive employee. To make matters worse, I told her how very sick I was (bleeding out of my eyeballs sick) and she told me to go into work anyways b/c that client couldn't care less as long as the work was completed on schedule. So I went in & then the client calls my boss & complains that I look really bad & he's worried I might die on him. So my idiot boss calls to yell at me after my workday was over. What exactly does she want from me? I can't help it if I get sick. I'm usually very healthy except for my back. The client had the worst possible set-up for my back pain & it made my back flare up really bad. So between thyroid problems, an ulcer, an abscess in my eye that burst & then I was bleeding out of my tear ducts (creepy, right?), anemia, pernicious anemia and my normal back pain, I was just about to collapse -- well, actually I did collapse a few times. My bp was super low, my hr very high & I had an abnormal rhythm. I was so sick & yet none of that mattered to her.

I'm not expecting my boss to be as understanding as my family, friends or physicians, but honestly, isn't there something out there to protect people from what basically amounts to inhumane treatment?

Well, I'm sure you all have plenty to share on this subject -- stories of your own, thoughts, ideas, etc. I'm happy to hear any or all of it. I'm just so frustrated & aggravated about all of this. I suppose it all comes down to the question: "How much is my life actually worth?" When I think about it, I suppose it ought to be worth more than $15/hour, but it's hard to think that way when I'm facing mounting debt & letters threatening foreclosure. What to do? What to do?

peace,
frances
Posted 6/16/2009 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
frances, wow... im so sorry for all u are suffering and to have this situation on top of it... i just cant even imagine how u r doing it! ur boss does sound so psycho... and im so sorry u have to deal with her, but ur reaction and frustration is all justified! but i wanted to tell u that there is definately something u can do!

one thing i did want to ask u is about social security, hav u ever applied for it? if u want info on that i can help u there, just ask! but the first thing i would advise u to do is to call ur docs, as many as u can and get them to write notes about ur condition, the limits they impose on u, and why and that u cannot work rite now! i do know that u cannot be fired for being sick, but also there is a gray area because all they technically have to do is find some other reason.... but i would gather all these doc notes up and go to see her and put them in her hands saying, here is proof that not only am i extremely sick, but i need to take some time off because of how sick i am. i would say, i need to take some sick leave, and since u have not missed tons and tons of days, and ur not unreliable that there is no reason for u not to get said leave. i would tell her that she even said u were the supposed "only" one qualified for this job, so she would hurt herself and the buisness by firing u or ahem... killing u!- ok maybe u shouldnt say exactly that, i think its always best to be polite, but im sorry just reading ur story worked me up....

anyway, if she does fire u for missing one day or needing to take this time off, im pretty sure u could fight it, and even take her to court over it, i dont know ur entire work history but if u havent missed that many days before, u do good work, and u hav the doctors notes, im pretty sure u would have a solid case; not to mention threatening to hurt ur security clearance is definately blackmail.... but if u even want to when u go in with doc notes to request time off, u could slip a nice little recorder into ur pocket that way u can prove u were fired(if she did) because u were sick, which would be darning evidence... that maybe going a little far but i do not lik this person....
again, im so sorry for what ur going thru, and ive had many managers thinking im a hypochondriac and excaggerating becuase well, i look fine so that means im in perfect condition! jeezzz, i really have done tons to make them understand but nothing seems to go through, for some reason it seems lik that with a lot of people.... anyway im sorry for ur struggle and i kno how overwhealming it all seems, and trying to think of the future or even next week! and it is really hard! sorry that i do not have any magic things to say or magic advice to make it all better...

i also wanted to ask, why wouldnt u qualify for unemployment? and also again wondering if u hav considered social security? hope something in there was helpful and that u hav a better week !
Posted 6/16/2009 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Frances, You deserve a medal instead of grief. The problem as we have stated before and we will keep resounding is that many people don't accept chronic pain as a sickness or mandating limitations. Most of us that work face issue until the decision of which pain is the worst. I think of our dear friend Pete who recently joined the unemployed. I agree that you need to get medical referrals to back you up on what your limitations are. If you are new and on a temp, that could definitely be against you as unemployment might not be applicable depending on laws. I find myself is a similar situation where I can't file for dissability even with my classification as permanently and totaly disabled. I work hard and work through the pain and have found out that is not honorable as my PMS now is taking the stand that if I can work such hours, the pain must not be that difficult. Why is it so difficult to have people understand that at times we work to mask the pain until the pain is too difficult. I don't think we will see a major change but I would encourage you to look for a new place to bless with your presence. I also am sorry to hear you enduring in such a place.

Posted 6/16/2009 6:56 AM (GMT 0)
Frances,
It's late and I'm feeling pretty tired, but I wanted to at least say I'm glad you posted this. I understand some of your struggle - certainly the financial - and as well juggling these various plates in the air and trying to keep them from dropping so you can have a chance at another job. But your body is really screaming at you. So much happening all at once....the eyes, along with everything else. It's scary because you don't want to end up with more serious or more permanent injuries.

If you have to do an FBI clearance for a federal job, you'll likely have to pass a physical, too. And you'll at least be signing something even on employment forms that says you're attesting to the fact you have the ability to do the job. With your health in this state, if you signed that you might be found guilty of fraud and then have even worse penalties. I think about some of these things, too, trying to face things I don't want to face. Walk some fine lines.

What have your doctors said lately about all these worsening symptoms? If you haven't seen one, I really hope you do. The stress of this temp. position certainly isn't helping, but then I know - I KNOW - the stress of facing the financial piece as a single woman.

I truly wouldn't worry about the federal job issue. You actually may be better off looking into disability and still looking for a federal job, and being hired as someone with a disability that needs reasonable accomodation. But disability is a hard word to swallow; that I know, too. It keeps getting stuck in my throat. (wonder if that's what's causing my acid reflux? hmm...)

Please, take care!

PaLady
Posted 6/16/2009 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Frances,
I'm so sorry that you have a wacko boss. Why don't you sue the jerk? How could this person, if you want to call IT a person, tell you you have to be there when you are so sick that your eyes are bleeding? That must be against some law! I thought my boss took the cake but he was never even close to being that evil! I'm praying for you Frances and hope the pain you have and your pain in the a** boss go away, far away!
Your Friend,
Pete
Posted 6/16/2009 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
  shocked Holy Cow shocked

     Your new boss at this temp agency... does she have a boss? Or is she top of the food chain there? I was treated very poorly at a temp agency in Dallas,TX. It isnt anythign worth talking about.. Anycase, some states have laws that give temp agencies alot of loop - holes in reguards to U.S. Department of Labor. Id be ready to arm myself against the next attack. And myabe im just grumpy but could your boss be any more passive / aggresive? I would just LOVE to be a fly on the wall when Kharma come to call.  sheesh

*huggs*

dani

 

Posted 6/17/2009 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Dani,
You are absolutely right about all the loopholes these temp agencies get. Basically, they can just about kill you & not get in trouble at all. Temp employees have almost no rights at all.

All,
This is not a long term issue -- or at least it shouldn't be. My docs said I need 3-5 days off to recover & get the proper treatment, so I wouldn't qualify for SSD. I just need a few days to rest & to get more aggressive treatments (IV antibiotics & such). Honestly, if any of you out there are thinking of accepting a temp job as a bridge between your prior employment & a new job, I would really recommend against it. It's just not worth it. To top everything off, I am so drained by the end of the day I have no energy left to actually look for real work.

PA,
I don't have any sort of physical required to get a federal job. My doc has to certify that I'm able to work & stay alert, but I've already talked to him about that & he said that up until last week that he didn't have any problem certifying that. It's a desk job & I just need to be able to certify that I can sit at a desk and work with reasonable accommodations. The jobs I've applied for so far all have flex days every other week, so I would have time off to get injections or see my PCP if I happen to get sick, sick again. I'm generally very healthy -- I usually just have the back pain, which wouldn't have gotten so bad these past weeks if I wouldn't have been sitting in a conference room on a chair that was about a 8" too high & a table that was about 15" too low, while typing on a laptop & talking on a cell phone. The working conditions sucked & I told my boss as much. Nothing was adjustable &, hard as I tried to use phone books & styrofoam and such, it just really wasn't enough.
I have been honest in all of my applications about having a neurological disability, so I don't think that anyone can accuse me of dishonesty. I'm okay as long as I'm not working in substandard conditions without the ability to see my doctor. I had been doing so well after the RF, it's just that the crappy conditions were really too much.
The thyroid will get under control, I just needed to be on meds & everyone gets infections so I'm not sure how they could hold that against me (ok, well, they could, but heck -- after this experience with my crazy temp boss -- I'd rather not even get a job offer from a boss that is going to be so rigid that no matter how sick I get that I don't get a break).


Oh, what to do about all the insanity. I want to work, but there has to be some kind of middle road, doesn't there? Aren't there any workplaces left where employers are a little bit understanding? I'm not asking for every other day off or for thousands of dollars worth of modifications -- just a few small things. idk, maybe that IS too much to ask.

Frances
Posted 6/17/2009 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Frances,
I'd like to hope there are still some employers out there with some compassion, especially for someone who can and wants to do a good job for them. However, I think it's become increasingly difficult (as you well know) in this recession for employers, so there's probably less leeway, and they're more stressed out themselves. It's also hard (again, as you well know) when you're just getting a job and asking an employer to basically take a chance on you. All you can do is keep trying.

But like you said I wonder if the temp job is worth it if it's draining you so much. I know you're trying to keep your house, though. I wish I had a magic want for all of us!

PaLady
Posted 6/17/2009 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
I've pretty much given up on the house. But now I can't even get unemployment if I leave my evil temp job, so I wouldn't even be able to eat or keep my medical insurance if I quit. I just don't know what to do.

I have been getting really good reviews from my clients. I consistently get 5/5 ratings from my clients. I have worked for this temp agency in the past & have never gotten less than a perfect rating from anyone. The last client I worked for asked me back after I had worked for him on a previous assignment. So it's not a question of the quality of my work. It's just frustrating to me that when pretty much my entire job is conducted over the phone & internet, why it is a huge deal whether or not I go into the office? I have looked into a few Virtual Assistant positions, but those are few & far between. But at least then no one cares how often I go to the doctor's office as long as I take my laptop & cell phone with me while I'm there.

I'm just really frustrated that here I am basically able to work 95% of the time, but apparently this is an "all or nothing" game with employers right now. Either you get a job & work every single day without interruption, or you have to stay home & be bored out of your skull all day while you slowly starve to death. I was going to the Food Bank, but I've stopped b/c my PCP thinks that may be how I got my stomach infection since much of the food that people donated was past its expiration date (what is wrong with people?!).

ARRRGGGGHHHHH! I better hit the sack. Hopefully I will be able to stay asleep tonight. Last night I woke up from a sound sleep to get sick at 4am. I hadn't even eaten since 6pm so I don't know what's going on. I've called my PCP, but she isn't returning my calls. I suppose it doesn't really matter much anyways since I can't really do anything even if there is something seriously wrong. :(

night, night,
frances
Posted 6/17/2009 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
This is when I wish some of us lived so much closer. We could pool resources of all sorts and help eachother through this.

I know changes are coming for me, too, but I just don't know what they are. The first will be no health insurance and that's in about 2 weeks. Just found out today I should have a crown replaced, so I have to call my other dentist tomorrow and see if it can all be done by June 30, but even with insurance it will cost me nearly $300. Don't know where that will come from.

One day at a time. That's all we can do right now. And come here to lean on eachother!

Hugs,

PaLady
Posted 6/17/2009 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Ok here I go again putting in my 2 cents. I just got out of the hospital this morning. Yesterday at work I started having INTENSE chest pain. Had to take the nice ambulance ride through some rough weather. Thank god the ER was only 2 miles from my work. (findings : Extreme spike in Hypertension. Called Hypertension Urgency.)

Heres my point I have a supervisor who is MEAN. Everyone hates him. He had me hand unload a truck with 300 boxes that weighted 7 lbs each. Now thats not heavy but after you do it a few hundred times in 110 degree temp in a warehouse it can get to you. This task is not one of my job requirements. I deal with numbers in inventory control. Yes I lift boxes which I am counting its contents but its not all day long. Only about 75 times in 12 hours..lol

My supervisor made it clear last week that anyone who leaves early regardless if your sick you will be written up. If you don't work a scheduled day you will also be written up regardless of the reason. I take every monday off for nerve blocks. So that means I will be written up alot this month. So I'm also worried about my job I need the insurance they offer. I love my job. But this man is making it impossible to work at all.

All I can tell you is some people have NO HEART! They have gotten to where they are now by stepping on people for their own gain. Any advice you get I will be reading very closely.

But you are not alone..... in the world of working people with CP.....

Laurie
Posted 6/17/2009 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Laurie,
I would check the Americans with Disabilities Act website and research conditions that are protected disabilities. And make sure you request FMLA time and fill out all the necessary paperwork from your doctor and get it to the right people at your workplace (usually HR), although if you have sick time I think you may have to use that first. But you do want some written documentation from your doctor so that if they try to "write you up" for a protected disability your boss may be subject to some legal action. I'm not a lawyer and don't know all the nitty gritty here, but sounds like your boss is one of many who thinks he can do whatever he wants.

Now it's true some employees are "at will" employees, which means you can be let go for anything. But I don't think you can be let go for a disability that can be reasonably accomodated.

You may want to call a lawyer who deals with this - probably one who knows employment discrimination, and see if you can get some info. even over the phone about how to protect yourself.

Good luck!

And I sure hope you feel better!!

PaLady
Posted 6/17/2009 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
PAlady I will start another thread so we don't hyjack this one...lol  you are such a theif..lol

Sry Frances..lol

Laurie

Posted 6/17/2009 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I'm sorry, too, Frances! I didn't mean to be a thief!

PaLady
Posted 6/18/2009 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
No need to apologize. The point of this thread was for people to be able to share problems going on in their workplace, so I think it still falls within that purpose.

Laurie,
I definitely feel for you. FMLA time is a possibility if you've worked there for at least a year, full time (I think it's like 1250 hours or something like that) & your employer is large enough. Sadly, that leaves a lot of us out in the cold (or out in the heat, as the case may be). It may be worthwhile checking into your options with a local attorney. You can call your local Bar Association to see whether they have a free Call-A-Lawyer (or Dial-A-Lawyer) day, or if not, at least get a referral for someone who handles those kinds of cases. Sometimes, just an indirect threat of litigation is enough to preserve your job. Other times, it seems nothing makes a difference. In any case, at least maybe try to find out what your options are. At a minimum, you want to make sure you will not get a negative review from your employer should you lose your job & need to seek future employment.

Best wishes,
Frances
Posted 6/18/2009 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Frances,

Wow! My heart is breaking for you! What kind of human being is this lady?! Where is her compassion? Where is her RESPECT for her employees?! Bleeding out of the eyes?! Anyone in their right mind would NOT allow you to come into work, let alone leave the decision up to you! I wish I had some kind of advice to offer, but I don't have much to say that is helpful, other than that I too think that if something were to happen, you might be able to fight it, with doctors notes & all. This sort of employee abuse should be illegal! For goodness sake. God forbid it was her in this condition... (((((((Frances))))))) I hope you get better soon! I'd say that this job isn't worth your life, but then again, the alternative, as you say, are grim...

many hugs,
Skeye
Posted 6/18/2009 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Skeye,
You are so sweet. :)
I go back to my eye doctor tomorrow. If the infection & inflammation have settled down enough, she will do some sort of procedure to try to clean out my tear duct. I'm not sure that will happen b/c I have been so, so sick that I have been a bad patient & have not been putting the antibiotic drops in my eyes 4x/day like I'm supposed to. :(
I guess we'll see. My evil boss called me at work again yesterday to see how I'm doing. Dripping with sarcasm I replied, "I'm here. Does anything else matter?" She said it does, but that's just completely stupid. If it mattered, she would let me have the time off to get well. Fortunately, my heart rhythm has normalized & my bp has come up, so it seems the thyroid meds are helping some. And this client is 1000x nicer than my last one so that does help some. My client doesn't even know what's going on with me & she says I don't look very well and isn't there anything she can do to help. I start my translation assignments next week & am hoping if I prove myself on those that I can try to get my client to put pressure on my evil boss to give me a day off (or at least a few hours off so I can get some tests run to see what's going on with the rampant infection in my stomach -- good grief, these infections are just taking over!).
My PM wrote me for muscle relaxants that I can start on Friday if my eye doc okays it (she said if I can get the procedure done tomorrow that maybe I can start on those meds soon. I'm not sure why I can't be on them now, but I don't want to do anything to permanently screw up my eyes. Her talk about my tear duct bursting & causing permanent damage has me running scared. ;)
I'm really hoping she can fix me up tomorrow. My left eye doesn't have any tears right now, so it is dry & scratchy all the time.
I know you have it a million times worse than me & honestly I don't know how you manage. Sometimes I want to just grab my eyeball & tear it out of my head. It's driving me crazy! mad (too bad we don't have a pirate icon. i would like to use that here. :)


Hope you are getting closer to getting your own eye problems taken care of.

peace,
frances
Posted 6/18/2009 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
Frances,
I so hope you take the time to get those tests. Too much going on with you to let it slide. Is there any way you can talk to the client you're working for and make adjustments, even if the temp. boss doesn't know? I mean as long as you're putting in the hours you're getting paid for.

It just sounds a bit scary to me.

I also think about Skeye's problems with her eye. There is the possibility I may have a retina that's starting to detach. Have to have it rechecked next week. Having something go seriously wrong with vision is truly frightening, so Skeye you really are a trooper!

(((((((((Frances)))))))))) - please take care!

PaLady
Posted 6/18/2009 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Frances:

The way you have been treated is absolutely disgusting! I don't like to wish bad on anyone, but just like a lot of pain management doc's need to experience some pain so that they know how to treat their patients, these "wacko bosses" (yours, Lauries, and Pete's ex-boss) need to experience what you guys are going through even for just one day, I don't think one of them could handle it!

I truly am sorry for the health problems you're dealing with as well as the circumstances you find yourself in. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Lorie
Posted 6/18/2009 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Frances:

The way you have been treated is absolutely disgusting! I don't like to wish bad on anyone, but just like a lot of pain management doc's need to experience some pain so that they know how to treat their patients, these "wacko bosses" (yours, Lauries, and Pete's ex-boss) need to experience what you guys are going through even for just one day, I don't think one of them could handle it!

I truly am sorry for the health problems you're dealing with as well as the circumstances you find yourself in. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Lorie
Posted 6/19/2009 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lorie,
I pray that my psycho boss never does have to deal with any real problems b/c I'm sure your right that she would just fall to pieces. People who are so lacking in empathy seem to be the same ones who whine day & night whenever they get so much as the sniffles. ... so aggravating!


All,
I did get some good news about my eye today. The infection has been cleared. Now I just need to put ointment on my eye for the next week or so & my eye will be healed. It sounds really gross to squeeze ointment out over my eye & it looks even gross-er, but at least that will mean one less thing to deal with. Of course, my stomach is still really sick & that is not helping my pain at all -- neither "praying to the porcelain god" nor losing much of my pain meds are good for my poor little back, but I guess I just need to take the problems one at a time.

peace,
frances
Posted 6/19/2009 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Francis, I can't believe how uncaring your boss is. I'm glad your eyes are improving, something wrong with your eyes and sight is alwys scary. Now just get that poor old tummy right and you can get back to normal!!! Best of luck, golitho
Posted 6/19/2009 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Frances,
I'm glad to hear of the improvement in your eyes, too! You've gotta get away from that boss somehow. I have a feeling you will. We both have our challenges, but we'll help eachother climb our mountains!

Hugs,

PaLady
Posted 6/20/2009 10:52 AM (GMT 0)

I'm so happy your eye is clearing up.  Doesn't it suck when we already deal with pain that another issues arises????

I wonder if our boss's even care that they are hated?  I would not want to be known by names we teach our children not to say....

Laurie

Posted 6/21/2009 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thats wonderful Frances! I was worrying about you these last couple of days and praying for you too! It sounds like you are moving in the right dirrection my "WILD ONE"> I bet you forgot about "Wild Frances", huh?? Sorry, it's late, for me anyway and I'm getting silly! You hang in there Sis! It's got to get better!
Your Buddy,
Pete
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