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Posted 5/3/2012 2:11 AM (GMT 0)

Hello everyone,

     I have never posted on this forum before but I guess I just really do not know what to do concerning working with fibro. My current job has denied me FMLA ( because they said I'd need to have work 2 more hours per week to qualify ), they wouldn't even let me fill out the paperwork for it. Quite frankly, I'm a bit afraid to even seek accommodations because they will more than likely insist that what I have does not constitute a disability. I have desperately been seeking a new job with little avail, and do not know how to handle an unsupportive work environment. My symptoms seem to be getting progressively worse, and as much as I hate to admit it, even driving in the car is starting to scare me, because I have no concentration and feel physically weak. I am very early in my diagnosis and I suppose I just don't know where to go from here so I'd appreciate any sound advice on how to move forward.

Thank you!

Posted 5/3/2012 7:18 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the fibro forum. I am sorry you are having so much trouble with work. I use to survive on FMLA. I used them for years. I did find out when former President Clinton placed that into a law that he left some leap holes into it. Meaning companies can right add and put there rules into it. You might just have to try to find another job that offers FMLA or find a job that better suited for fibro. Believe me I do understand the circumstance you are in. I finally had to stop work 3 years ago myself. I had to stop driving also due to poor focusing and memory. Do they have short term disability there? If you decide to find another job you should see if they offer long term disability. I am so happy I took out long term disability when applying for my new job at the time. I new I was in poor health and I said to myself "what is a few more dollars". It sure has paid off. Are you able to reduce your hrs. any?
Posted 5/3/2012 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply. I honestly do not know if my company offers short term disability. I am somewhat hesitant to even mention something like that to my doctor, because I don't want him to think that I'm giving up so early on in this, but I've exhausted my sick leave (which is very minimal) and the constant fear of losing my job is just making me feel worse. And no, I am not able to reduce my hours at all, and they keep adding more hours/week to my schedule, which I told them I did not want, and they essentially said that was too bad. I just do not know a lot about my rights/options concerning the situation so I suppose I just don't know how to handle it.
Posted 5/3/2012 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Womaninmal,

Welcome to the forum! I'm afraid I don't have any advice on disability, but I just want to tell you that if you start a new thread, with a title such as, "Newbie," more people will notice you and you'll get more replies.

We're glad to have you here. This is a great place for support, advice, even humor! If you check out, "Fibro 101," you'll find out all kinds of useful information about this crazy condition. There's always something new.

Again, welcome, and hope to hear more from you,

Debbie
Posted 5/3/2012 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I would research the Americans with Disabilities Act and rules along with any short term disability you may have available through your insurance plan. Something sounds a bit off with the way they are handling things. I am sorry you are having to deal with this. Just educate yourself and maybe even talk with your doctor about your rights and concerns, they may have some good advice for you.

Best of luck.
Posted 5/4/2012 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie - Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try that if I start a new thread.

Spicy - I have been doing tons of research on the ADA, but it seems like what it boils down to is: does your condition really consitute a "disability?" I spoke with a nurse about my problems at work and she told me to ask for FMLA papers and I told her they already said I wouldn't qualify (which was shocking to her) so she suggested I speak to a lawyer or try to find a new job. I was kind of hoping she could get me a doctor's slip even just explaining my conditions, so I would have something official to prove to my job that I'm not making this stuff up. I have a doctor's appointment soon so hopefully something will come of it..

Thanks for your advice..and yeah, the way they've handled many things is "off", that's why I am trying to figure out the best approach and know what my rights are

Posted 5/4/2012 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Womanimal - the difference with FMLA is that you won't be paid being off unless you have sick time. Dr's are the ones that fill out the paper work. Yes, a supervisor signes them off, but as many as I filled out nobody denied mine. Most companies don't want that on their back. The short term is where you would get a percentage of your pay. Short term is usually not hard to get. Talk with your Dr. and be very open how you are doing. Tell him all your concerns. If you go with of this make sure you read it and make a copy before sending it in. Sometimes Dr's fills these out in a hurry and put wrong info in it. I think you would qualify for FMLA. This way if you were sick in the AM and could go in later it would not go against you. I had people who suffer from migraines get FMLA. I even had one for my daughter due to her chronic sickness when she was a child. They can be used for family members also.
Posted 5/4/2012 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
ak angel - I really thought (and my nurse did too) that I would qualify for FMLA, but my job told me that because I was part time and because (assumably) I've worked under 1250 hours in the past year that I wouldn't qualify, so they wouldn't even give me the paperwork. I never really considered STD because I was honestly just looking for more flexible sick leave, since I only get 3 sick days/year. Missing the pay doesn't bother me, however, being berated for calling-off certainly does.

I also don't know if short term would be difficult for me to get since I have two jobs, I don't really know much about how that works.

Thanks

Posted 5/4/2012 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
womanimal- Yes that would probably be a problem you having two jobs and requestiong short term. As I mention before and I forgot myself that work places can adjust that FMLA to fit their needs. I didn't know you had 2 jobs, maybe I just over looked it in other post. You might be hard press to get a dr. to fill out paper work for you knowing you have 2 jobs. I am sure you have thought about only having one. One day it might come down to either working 2 jobs or having a better quality of life with one job.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 5/3/2012 9:46:29 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/4/2012 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Well obviously I would only have one if I could choose, but financially I can't afford it so I've just been rolling with this punches. Everyone says I'm letting this disable me so I've been trying to find ways to avoid giving up on a source of income. I'm glad that everything worked out for you though.
Posted 5/4/2012 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
Womanimal, I think life can be harder these days financially. It takes so much money to keep a roof over you, not counting the food expenses. When I had to stop work I cried and had to be hospitilized for depression. I was so afraid what was going to happen. I was blessed my husband was working, but I had 2 kids and use to having 2 incomes. I survived because I had long term insurance and they paid me why I was waiting to hear from social security. In all this I never lost anything, I was never late on my house payment. It still amazes me how our bills got paid. I actually have more now and better health. I hope you can work something out with your employer.
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