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Posted 2/8/2009 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
I work for a woman who makes the wicked witch of the west in OZ look like a fair princess. She has been at it since January 14 of last year. Needless to say the stress has help trigger multiple mini-episodes of my CD. No big flares, but feeling realy crappy and intamately familiar with the bathroom.  I am on intermittent FMLA, paperwork filed out last August, and last we she informed me that she is going to send a letter to my doctor certifiying my fitness to perform my job. Stupid because the same information is in the FMLA paperwork. Well enough is enough and I sent a complaint letter to the EEOC this past week. I should not have to take xanax everyday to go to work. I do, and there is someone else at my level who reports to her that needs to also. They filed this week also.
Posted 2/8/2009 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
You may check with the Americans with Disabilities in your state to see if they can assist you. Also, some states have their own agency that looks into employers discrim. against people with certain illnesses.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!
Posted 2/8/2009 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
(((Randy))) Just wanted to send out gentle hugs to you. I hate when you are sick and then have to deal with hateful people like that. Those are the kind of people you just wish you could cause them to feel like you do everyday, lets see them not think your sick after that. Glad you filed the complaint and pray all goes well for you. Thats pretty bad when not only you but a coworker has to take Xanax just to get thru the day.

Hugs,
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 2/9/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats on filing that complaint! No way should you have to put up with garbage like that. I filed a complaint many years ago over some unfair labor practices at my job. My employer retaliated keeping me off the job for filing the complaint. I left that job due to my husband being assigned overseas. Some two years later I got a FAT check most of which was a penalty levied against my former employer for the retaliation.

I hope you and your co-worker are successful in seeking fair treatment.
Posted 2/9/2009 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Randy -

Bravo. People like your boss (and my old boss) are an unavoidable part of life that we "should" not have to deal with but do. Just keep a watch on that woman. If she is doing this then she is probably looking for a reason to can you... at least that's they way it reads based upon my own past experiences. Remember this: If they do, do NOT sign anything when released and you WILL have a valid reason to file a lawsuit against them. I messed up and signed my release papers so I could get the small package... should have filed a suit against them instead.

I am truly sorry that you have to go through this. It just worsens the symptoms. When I was in that environment, the flares seemed to never end due to the stress and anxiety. Take care of yourself. There are good people and great bosses out there.
Posted 2/9/2009 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Too bad its not as simple as throwing a bucket of water on her. Ohhh, what a world !!!! I hope you get some help from the eeoc...
Posted 2/12/2009 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I have my intake interview with the EEOC in March. In my state there is no notification law to carry a tape recorder, so I now tape every conversation we have. I have never worked in a job where I have to document everything to catch her in a contradiction, which I have several times, and I just started documenting heavily in January. There is another woman at work who has filed with the EEOC too. Maybe there is strenght in numbers. I just fear retaliation. My labor attorney sits on my states BAR and is very well respected in the legal community. He believes I have a strong case for a hostile work envirionment and discrimination on age and ADA. He is going to represent both myself and my coworker. I hate conflict and it is just churnning inside of me with fear. I also found out there are other people in my department that need to medicate themselves with anxiety pills just to come to work so I am so not alone in this boat. Thanks all for the support. I love my HW family.
Posted 2/12/2009 5:46 AM (GMT 0)

CheerDad said...
...she informed me that she is going to send a letter to my doctor certifiying my fitness to perform my job.

Now, I may not know everything...but I am pretty sure she cannot tell your Doctor how well you are.  Is she psychoti...I mean, psychic?  Only you and your Doctor know your condition and abilities. 

Best of luck,

Heidi

Posted 2/12/2009 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
It is for my doctor to certify to her that I am fit for duty. She is just a witch.
Posted 2/12/2009 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Perhaps you have misspelled Witch, does it start with a B. I did the tape recorder thing for a while and when My boss found out I had him on tape he changed his tune but it was too late and I nailed his hide to the wall with his own words. I also had his police records and the facts on how he beat his wife when she was pregnant and was arrested and put in a loony bin long enough for her to flee the state. I got this info from the computers in the court house. I also knew his bail bondsman. Its all public info. Though they never admitted to me that they canned him because of me ,I know that its so. I had put the word out in the,, pipeline,,as we called it,,( people known to go running to managers with gossip ) That I had proof that he was aggressive, short tempered had a police record and the company knew it and I was just waiting for him to go one step too far so I could sue the company for not taking action. I had one meeting with his boss but did not put all my cards on the table, I knew that he knew what I had. Well they made him an offer he could not refuse,, retire or get fired. I just sat there smiling as he gave his little,,I'm retiring speech..Hang tough, never let them know they bother you...Ohhh and I had one more little edge that he knew about. My bosses boss knew my military background and I had also made it clear ,,through the pipeline,, that if he ever got overly aggressive I would snap his neck like a twig ,,in self defense of course..then sue the company for keeping an unsafe working environment.
Posted 4/11/2009 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the witch at work might have one the battle, but I will win the war. I spoke with the Assitant HR Director Thursday and I will be going out on medical retirement. The woman may have gotten rid of me, but I will still keep my benefits and be able to convert to fulll retirement in 5 years. The EEOC complaint is still moving forward, I have to remember that it is a complaint against the City not against this woman. Not sure how I feel about a medical retirement. I have worked my whole life trying to prove to myself that I can lead a "normal" life even wth this disease. There is much relief knowing that I will never have to walk through the doors and see that woman ever again, but sadness because until she came on board, I really loved what I did. Thanks all for listening and youru support.
Posted 4/11/2009 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
I work under the same conditions - so much so that my boss, who's name starts with the letter H is commonly called "Hysteria" or "Hitlery" by my friends - she's so bad that if I take a sick day it's nothing for her to call me at home 20 to 30 times over the course of the day (mostly cos she couldn't find her butt with a compass and a map!)

I'm Canadian..and I too filed an HR complaint to which I was told that I should go into mediation with the woman...I told them they could mediate till the cows come home...all that does is make the victim of bullying feel more victimized.

the company I work for hired an Occupational Therapist to work with those of us with "work/life balance" issues....after explaining everything to the OT she laid down the law with the boss...and at least she doesn't call me at home anymore...

I'm always wondering how these people got to be bosses? if they are such poor team players...if they can't work in a positive, supportive manner...how the heck did they get to be in control?

good luck!
Posted 4/11/2009 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Wyz, put your phone on silent or don't pick up if it is a house phone. Say you were sleeping and turned the ringer off.
Posted 4/12/2009 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
oh believe me....I've tried...she'll show up at my door!
Posted 4/12/2009 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Randy sorry that the wicked witch won this one. I had an immediate supervisor that was a real witch with a B that made my life heck and others too for years. Finally one of the biggest two producers in our office made complaints to HR and she has been demoted and got slapped pretty hard for her deeds. She is still in our office but lost all her power over us. I believe yours will get hers in the end too.

I didn't know that they could force people out on medical retirement like that. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Sending prayers your way.

Hugs
gail *nanners*
Posted 4/12/2009 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Randy, Maybe this is the better option to give you time to be/get well without all that stress. Either way, I'm proud of you for standing up to this witch(with a B)! I work for a large corp. and I've seen behavior like hers way too much. But it's a delicate balance to report, it makes you look like a complainer grrrrr.
Posted 4/13/2009 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Nanners,

I am 49. They are not forcing me into medical reiterment, but is the option I am choosing because if I stayed in that toxic environment, my disease would certainally been much worse than it has been. GI did a scope last Friday and stated there was significant change from the one I has just 18 months ago.My attorney said it would be just a matter of time before they fired me, so by leaving this way I will maintain my benefits. If I stayed until they terminated me, I wojuld loose them.
Posted 4/21/2009 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Well, my attorney sent the Notice of Intenet to Sue letter to the Mayor or the city I worked for. The fun :-( or lack there of has now begun.
Posted 4/21/2009 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hoping and praying for good results for you Randy!!! Do keep us posted on how it goes.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
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