HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Jobs/Working/Getting Fired?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/23/2010 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello All-

I have a quick question...Long Story short, I am part of a volunteer agency, in which I am second in command, I answer to a Board of Directors, recently I was supposed to go on a trip sponsered by this agency.  When my flight was missed, and since having UC, this has been the first time in probably 5 years I have felt well enough to leave my comfort zone.  I know you all what that means.  In any event, when the flight was missed, anxiety set in, no longer felt comfortable getting on the plane going to the conference.  Now I hear through the grapevine, that the board is quite upset, even though I have already offered to pay for any expensens that they may have accrued on me not attending.  Do I have any rights here?  Any one been in a similar experience with their work?  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff 

Posted 4/23/2010 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
No helpful advice but I feel your pain. When my current flare started up I had a strictly desk bound job. With my current job, however, I have the potential to travel a bit, and right now it is looking like I'll have to fly, possibly multiple times, in the next few months. I'm not a fan of flying in the first place, but I can't imagine flying in my current condition - it fills me with dread, honestly. The stress of thinking about the whole situation, when it gets closer to happening, is sure to make things even worse. This is part of the reason why I'm trying the drastic diet I'm currently on - if it doesn't work I'll likely just try get back on Prednisone for a while as much as I'd prefer not to. Anyway, hope you get some helpful advice and good luck!

Edit: Also forgot to mention that my boss and the co-workers involved know about my condition, and I've expressed my concerns, but I don't think they really take it seriously - of course they don't really understand. I am a little worried about what kind of statement I'll be making if they ask me to go and I put my foot down, but if they insist I guess I'll be going.
Posted 4/23/2010 7:43 AM (GMT 0)
Have you told them you have UC and what it means to have UC? If so I can relate. I had a manager once who had absolutely no empathy for people who had medical conditions. When I told her I was starting to flare and needed to take a couple of days off to let my body heal before I went into a serious flare, she kept calling me, wanting to talk about why I couldn't work. She spent hours and hours on the phone with me to find out what was the route cause of my stress (which was her). She had absolutely no understanding of what it is like to have a serious illness.
Posted 4/23/2010 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry, no practically helpful suggestions. First, of course, to look for a job that does not require flying. But you have to fly, my suggestion is to take enough paper/diaper with you. I think I saw some posts here in discussing how to put/hold paper around anus.

I wish I were a manager to hire UC patients with 'sufficient' consideration.
Posted 4/23/2010 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
I would get a note from your GI that excuses you from the "flight" incident. It doesn't need to explain your condition but it can say something to the effect, "was unable to travel due to medical issues".

Sue
Posted 4/23/2010 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Is there any way your HR department could help? I think Sue has a great idea; bring a note from your doc stating your condition.

Posted 4/23/2010 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
This is a tough one.  For years I let people make fun of me as they teased me for being late to work constantly.  I made up reasons why I was late.  I finally told my bosses that I was having problems and was seeking help.  They were understanding.  But there are times I get teased about that now. mad

You cannot be fired (most times) from a job due to a medical condition, but if you cannot meet the criteria of the job description the company can have a basis for letting you go I believe.

I recommend the note from the doctor as well.

Posted 4/23/2010 8:17 PM (GMT 0)

mdf34 said...
You cannot be fired (most times) from a job due to a medical condition, but if you cannot meet the criteria of the job description the company can have a basis for letting you go I believe.

I hope that's true, because I'm a web developer. Technically, I never have to come into the office, but some companies require us to.
Posted 4/23/2010 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your suggestions. I think the note from the GI will be most helpful, we will see what becomes of this. Thanks again!
Posted 4/23/2010 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
I have other advice, please understand I'm trying to helpful:

If you are an "employment at will" state, they can fire you for any reason or no reason.
We are protected by ADA which means they need to make a reasonable accommodation, but that would be pretty subjective in this case where you were not able to perform your duties no matter what they did for you. A doctor's note will do absolutely no good, sorry (except for justifying the need to use paid sick leave or maybe getting a refund on the airfare). In fact, I would be afraid that providing a doctor's note would embarass them and make you look childish.

From their point of view, it is not just the expenses, but they could have sent someone else but lost out on that opportunity when you arranged to go, then didn't go. So they have the right to be upset and I hope you have apologized and explained. Write a very thoughtful, apologetic (but not graphic) letter to the Board.

I really hope this is helpful, I'm not trying to be hard on you, just realistic, and I am very sorry you are having to go through all this!!
Posted 4/24/2010 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
I feel for you, Jeff. I asked them for a real toilet in the office, you can't serial flush the one there, and they didn't take me seriously. Part of the problem is that I could have a flare and come bouncing back like nothing happened because I'm zinging on prednisone. So they think everything is fine. Well, sorta...
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply