What would you do if you are being personally singled out by your superiors?

@jkatmaou (195)
Philippines
May 19, 2009 12:48pm CST
I've been having problems at work lately eversince my supervisor was replaced. i have a medical condition which warrants me to have a fixed schedule which is at noon. my supervisor changed my shift to 5am in te morning knowing full well that i cannot come in on time. he said that he did not find any medical certificates indicating my medical condition, but a few days ago, i found out that he had. until now, i haven't any idea hat's going to happen next. he is very difficult to get ahold of and can only be reached when he wants to. i mean, he either wont answer my calls, or he wont be around when i'm in the office. if you were in my place, what would you do?
2 people like this
13 responses
• United States
19 May 09
I would get another copy of the medical papers from your doctor. Turn them in again and get a statement from the person you hand them to saying that they recieved the papers. Make sure they are signed. If nothing changes, I would send an email to your supervisor. That way you have a copy that shows it was sent and when it was sent. Tell your supervisor what your concerns are. If nothing changes, tell your supervisor that you have done everything you can but they are not giving fair accomidations. Contact your HR representative about filing a disabilities complaint. There are a lot of laws that protect you. Your employee has to give you reasonable accomidation. Working at noon instead of 5am is reasonable accomidation. When you start taking legal steps, they usually listen up. They can get in a lot of trouble if they dont accomidate you! Good luck. I hope things get better for you.
2 people like this
• United States
20 May 09
I recently had the same problem and derlila is correct. Legal is the best way to go because what they are doing is flat out illegal. No matter the situation a company is not allowed to single you out or force you to work certain jobs when you have medical reasons not to. Try to get some free advice from a lawyer and ask him/her the best route for you to take. This is what I did when it happened to me and claimed $2000 for negligence on the behalf of the company I worked for. Immediately afterword I quit so as to send my boss a swift message. I have also come to find out that the business is now under as well. Usually people like this don't stay around for long so stay hopeful and best of luck to ya.
2 people like this
@jkatmaou (195)
• Philippines
20 May 09
thanks for the advice! i was actually sending an email to our employee relations department as i was posting this discussion. it was very tedious, but i managed to get copies of my medical certificates.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 09
I would start with covering every aspect. Get another medical certificate. Even if you know that he has already seen it, get another one. Get all the evidence you can when you approach him. If you say something to him then have to come back with whatever proof, that gives him time to dig up dirt on you (or make up dirt) before you have the opportunity to do it to him. Write an email, even ask your IT guy if he can print off a report of the phone calls you've made from your desk phone. It might not help, but it can't hurt. Do you have anything in writing from when you were hired with your former supervisor? An email or any kind of documentation that they were aware of this and that's why you had your previously approved schedule? You said a few days ago that you found out he had seen a medical certificate? How did you find this out? Can you go through that resource to help you? Do you have a human resource office you can go to?
@jkatmaou (195)
• Philippines
20 May 09
my previous supervisor provided me with the information. he said that my current super confided that he saw the medical certificates and that at the time they changed my schedule, they hadn't seen my files yet as thy were locked in my previous super's drawer.
1 person likes this
• India
20 May 09
I now what you mean, some people are just forever constipated. You will never see them with a smile and they are forever there to make life miserable for others. I am sure you still have people around you who know about your particular condition…so you are not alone. I think you should get a fresh certificate from your doctor and furnish it again…if that doesn’t work, you can always speak to higher authorities.
2 people like this
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
20 May 09
First, I would make more copies of the medical information. Keep copies for yourself and give copies to anyone who may need to see them at work. Then go to your super again. If there is no answer or positive result, go above his head to HIS super. Keep following the chain of command and file grievances if needed. It may seem loike a lot of hassle, but if you don't stand up to him now, who knows what he will try next.
2 people like this
@cvodrey (225)
• United States
20 May 09
I would call the doctor to have the medical information faxed to me, scan it, and send it to his email address. I would also keep a copy of it on hand at ALL times, and find out where he is going to be, and when. I would make it a point to accidentally on purpose run into him. He can't hide forever. And you could make it a point to show up at work at an undesignated time so he won't be expecting you. He has to show up at sometime right?
2 people like this
• Philippines
20 May 09
well..if i were you,i try to go to clinic or my doctors to talk your supervisor about that case,maybe he/she clear the mind if knows that your condition is very serious.i think all people have heart so he/she give you a choice after the doctor tell that you need to work to work schedule he/she advice.
2 people like this
@nangel78 (1454)
• United States
20 May 09
Did you try to go to HR about this issue? I am in a similar situation having had cancer. You are protected under The Americans with Disabilities Act especially if you have a doctor's note. It is wrong for them to go against that. You are protected.
@hotsummer (13835)
• Philippines
20 May 09
oh what kind of person he is. very inconsiderate. i hope every thing works out well soon.
• United States
20 May 09
It just amazes me that people still get away with this kind of crap. When I was going through Chemo for cancer my job was gracious to keep me on and accomadate my new special needs. Being off for weeks at a time due to being sick from the chemo only being able to work a few hours at a time things like that. Then my boss changed and the new boss tried to tell me that they would no longer be needing me as they did not have my position any more. I asked him if I could get that in writing and he asked why I then explained that every thing had to be documented for my disability to go into effect. Needless to say that was not the purpose of wanting it in writing. He gave me in writing stating that it was due to my medical condition that they no longer had a position for me. I then contacted a lawyer and let him do all the dirty work. Exactly 3 days later the boss was no longer employeed by the company and I was back to work. I guess the threat of a lawsuit for discrimination was all it took. Thank goodness for the USA's Americans with Disabilties act. Good luck to you stand your ground and dont give up. You are right and the boss is wrong. Dont let them push you around.
@jkatmaou (195)
• Philippines
20 May 09
hanks, i am trying to stand my ground. however, for some reason the HR people are not working as fast as they can.
• South Korea
20 May 09
Have you tried talking to him about how you feel about this? It might help to be open with him about the changes that he wanted to implement. If this will not work, why not try to talk to your HRD or anyone that will help you with your boss? If you have a medical condition, does this affect your performance in your job? Don't let him find any reason for him to find faults in the way you do your job.
@jkatmaou (195)
• Philippines
20 May 09
my medical condition only affects me in the sense that i need a fixed schedule, but they almost always depend on me to covr for someone else's sifts if we are shorthanded. also, i do more than my share of work.
@nashlix (186)
• Singapore
20 May 09
if your supervisor is being so difficult, i suggest that you approach him to discuss with him, explain your difficulties and if he still doesn't understand, make sure that he knows what you want and if he still does not give way when you have medical proof, what is the point of working in that company still?
1 person likes this
• China
20 May 09
I think it is better if you can have a talk with him. Tell him what you think and find a way to solve your problem. But, try to be honest, respect and not to be offensive.
• United States
20 May 09
Well first of all I would provide the information on your condition yourself. Second, I would document all attempts at trying to get in touch with this person and include the scheduling discussions you have had with him/her. If this person is not easily reached I would go above his/her head and talk to their boss. I would try and set up a meeting between your supervisor and his/her supervisor so their isn't any he said/ she said thing going on. Chances are if you bring in another person, especially one who outranks your boss, the situation with be handled appropriately and effectively.