Problems at Work..Will You Help?

Hello fellow IBD sufferers. I would like to bring to your attention the treatment I received while being employed by XXX. Thirteen years ago I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. For the most part, the treatments prescribed by my physician kept my disease under control and allowed me to work a full time job in my chosen profession of professional cooking. However, about one year ago my symptoms became much worse. After some tests it was discovered that I had a stricture in my ileum and surgery looked like the only option.

At this time I was still able to work about 30 hours a week, but did have to call in sick several times a month. When my employer became frustrated with my absences, I disclosed my illness and impending surgery to my managers. I only spoke with them behind closed doors and made it clear I wished this information to remain private, which is my right. However, they decided to not only tell the entire staff about my condition, but to do so in a meeting calling me forward for a “round of applause.” Until this point I was unaware that they had any intention to break confidentiality and disclose my disease and treatment to the entire store's staff.

Well, the good news is my surgery was a success. Everything went exceptionally well and I recovered very fast thanks to the excellent work by the talented surgeons. After a recovery of about six weeks I tried to return to work. I was informed that my position was being filled by someone else, but they would do what they could to bring me back in. After going to work and being sent home after only three hours of work I was very frustrated. I tried to complain about my treatment and was fired on the spot, after only 5 days of returning to work.

I'm sure any of you who have had problems with employers know how difficult it is to obtain legal representation. For the most part I am powerless and there is no way for me to obtain the justice I deserve. So I have turned to you. I would ask that you refrain from eating at XXX. In addition, if you have the time, contact the central office, either by mail or through their own website, and inform them that you stand in solidarity with your fellow IBD sufferer and will not be frequenting any of their restaurants. Hopefully this will stop them from further discriminating behaviors. Thank you for your time.

[I understand your frustration with your former employer. However, it is against Forum rules to defame anyone, members or non-members. Therefore, I have removed all reference to the name of your employer. ~~ Ides, Moderator]

Post Edited By Moderator (Ides) : 1/14/2008 5:13:55 PM (GMT-7)

I live in Illinois, and the employer is favored as well. I did speak with a lawyer who advised me to suck it up and move on. But it's so unfair that these big companies are allowed to do things like this to people who are otherwise good employees.

A few years back I was having gallbladder attacks (Kaiser didnt know what it was at the time).

My work knew I was sick, I couldnt hide it, so I told them before it got out of control. My boss told me that if I got really sick they would have to remove me from the premisis.

What the heck does that mean? You mean If I pass out your going to carry me to the street? You mean I will be sent home until cured so as not to potentialy cause any liability issues for my work?

As it turns out I was treated very badly, harrassed daily about being a less then quality employee.

I get it, they didnt sign up for a sick person, I'm not reliable, but there has to be a better way to deal with sick people then foisting them off onto the open streets so they are someone elses problem.

I'm sorry to hear that is happening to you, sadly I had to move on to as I could not find an legal representation who would help me, I was told the same thing,t here is nothing that can be done.

Ill bet if I was Paris Hilton or Lindsy Lohan I could get away with whatever I wanted and keep my job. (Ah crazy privledged youth)

That was going 2 b my suggestion. I don't know why a lawyer would give u that advice being that FMLA laws REQUIRE that ur illness be confidential. I won't eat at any of those places and I'm sure one way or another they will get what's coming to them and so will you...something bigger and much better!

It's a shame my post was moderated. I didn't think my post defamed anyone as I thought I had chosen my words wisely, but I guess I was in error. It's just another blow I have to learn to live with, as there seems to be no course of action for me, not even calling on the support of the IBD community.

cheft - You named your employer. While I support your frustration with your previous employer's lack of compassion and possible illegal firing, this forum is not the place to make allegations that cannot be verified. Several members have given you excellent suggestions; others have offered their support for you situation. That's what this community is about - support for one another -- not for making allegations against others.