Does Anyone Else Want My Job?
By KrauseHome
@KrauseHome (36445)
United States
August 27, 2011 2:01am CST
Seriously now, I am not joking. Actually it is a job that I hopefully still have and really wish that things could have been a lot different, and personally my Boss needs to wake up and realize people with Health problems out there do exist and never continue to just rate someone as a failure.
Right now as far as I know I still have a job. But hanging on to it by just a thread. There is a situation going on within the job due to all the time off I am having to take for Doctors apts at the Wounds Healing Center, etc. that means my time is limited for now in how much time I can spend working there. I have doctors notes stating what days I can work or cam't work there and why. Which means right now I am just barely working 26 hrs or so a week not counting the Fridays that I have actually been using Vacation time for.
Now this last Thursday when I come into work I am told I can no longer have Fridays off, and maybe Mondays would be a better day for me to take off due to Fridays are too busy and he cannot allow me that day off anymore. I made mention I have Doctors notes covering my time off, and he said he rules over any Doctors notes. Seriously I have never heard of anything like this, and I will be going to the EEOC and filing a complaint against my Boss and the company, and then go from there. I could also get a thing going for the FMLA as well. But personally something needs to wake this man up before someone gets too sick in there and Dies, has a Heart attack, stroke, etc. And then maybe that would be the wake up call that place needs.
There is a guy I work with that has growths on his face that are Huge, always comes to work smelling horrible, and you can tell has Health issues that should be addressed. But due to seeing others forced out due to Health issues, or probably a little aware what has been going on with me or others there, is afraid to have these things addressed and cared for. How do I know some of my Health issues do not stem from them allowing people looking like this to work there? Most places would insist they go get checked just to make sure it is not Staph, etc. he might be spreading around.
But no, never this company and like I said it is BAD. Once he said he was laying me off as of today, and then there is a rumor going around that I do no longer have a job there. If this is True even as I might have another job somewhere else, there will be a HUGE Lawsuit and such it will not be Funny. But all I can say is I know there have been many here Praying and supporting me thru all of this, and I do Thank You. It has been a shame time there means nothing, and personally Health is of least importance for my Boss as well. It has been an adventure, and one I will really not miss.
No, this has not been the Worst job I have ever had, nor the worse Boss. Just an experience I am trying to make sure the next Diabetic or someone with major Health issues does not have to endure to the point I have had to endure here for sure. No one should have to go thru and be discriminated against as bad as I. Hopefully one day something happens to open my Bosses eyes and he can only regret everything and wish there was a way to apologize as well.
~~TINA~~
4 people like this
18 responses
@savypat (20216)
• United States
27 Aug 11
Tina, I don't know what your agreement is with your employer but as far as I know
the work place is not like school, the Employer has the right to expect you to show up for work as per your contract. He is not responsible for your health problems and if you can not work the agreed upon hours he not only doesn't have to pay you but can replace you with and employee who can preform as he needs. If the working conditions are so bad that they are a danger to the employees there is a
state or maybe even a federal agency you can report them to. If your contract includes sick leave you have a right to this and your employer has the right to request proof that you are ill. This is the only instance where a Doctor's note would proclude your employer's requirements. Is this the case? Is he refusing to grant you sick leave as per your work agreement? Both you and your Employer have rights granted under the contract but it may take a court action to gain them.
I am so sorry for your troubles, and as usual send my prayers and blessing.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
6 Sep 11
Well, there are a lot of Special rules and circumstances that they have to follow due to me being Diabetic that does supercede some of the other things. And also I do have Medical notes from Doctors explaining all that is going on, and what is to be expected and times off that I am needing, and this outweighs even the employers rules. It has helped to make some complaints, but still keeping everything on the up and up in case more happens from here.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
6 Sep 11
I am confused. Do you work for an employer who gets some kind of a tax advantage for hiring the handicapped? I ask that because I have had several employees who had health problems and there was never any regulation that I knew of that they would have special consideration. What ever I gave them was my own choice. This makes me think you have a special case. Whatever I am glad things are looking up for you.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
27 Aug 11
I really do agree with your statement Savypat. If she was being forced to work there every day, like kids are forced to go to school until they are a certain age, that might be different. An employer cannot discriminate against disabilities, but I don't know how that works. I mean if she was in a wheelchair and they fired her for it, she could probably sue them.. but they also need someone who can do the job on the days they are scheduled. It's a hard spot to be in, I'm sure.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
28 Aug 11
Hi Tina! 
Yes I am sure it is not the worse job ever as many on a daily basis go into far worse situation. However it is not a good environment and or management you endure daily. This is such a shame and just too bad that they treat such loyal employees as yourself this way. Some day hopefully management in your company will not get sick and perhaps that might get them to understand on how it is so wrong to treat people/employees this way.
I am praying that you can some immediate changes for the better there and yes to have your boss finally accept that he is so wrong.
Yes I am sure it is not the worse job ever as many on a daily basis go into far worse situation. However it is not a good environment and or management you endure daily. This is such a shame and just too bad that they treat such loyal employees as yourself this way. Some day hopefully management in your company will not get sick and perhaps that might get them to understand on how it is so wrong to treat people/employees this way.
I am praying that you can some immediate changes for the better there and yes to have your boss finally accept that he is so wrong. @KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
22 Sep 11
Well, I now have Thursday and Friday off so that I can go to my apt. and have Fridays off as they are requesting. My Doctor is wishing it could have been Friday and Saturday but at least I do not work until 4 p.m. on Saturdays. So at least some solemness has been had. Still did not get my raise which I left a note about so that is considered Discrimination still so I have to report that as well. But things have gotten somewhat better.
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
31 Aug 11
Yes, and it is Sad, and one of the reasons I am having to file a claim with the EEOC, etc. and even a lawyer if need be, and hope somehow something happens to where my Boss has to learn what he needs to do from here before someone else has to endure the same Hell and not even think about what is right.
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
27 Aug 11
This sounds like a very hostile work place.
Is there a reason that you can't change to Monday off? If the Drs are not open or something like that then your job cannot make you change. If you are taking off on Friday just to make it a short work-week then it is the same to take off on Monday.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Well, due to making the complaints I was able to get my Boss to be a little more understanding and thru the Power of Prayer and many people's prayers. I now have Thursday and Friday off, so he worked around my schedule instead of me having to change mine. All because of making a complaint or two. So being proactive does have it's advantages for sure.
1 person likes this
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
16 Sep 11
I am glad to hear that your boss finally came to his senses and rearanged your schedule, it is much harder to change Doctor's schedules.
2 people like this
@oXAquaXo (607)
• United States
28 Aug 11
Yeah, I was thinking the same. Maybe you could change your doctors appointments to Monday and make the situation slightly better, but it's still not right for them to be discriminating against you for health reasons. Especially for health reasons...your workers' life is much important than everything else.
I hope everything goes well for you!
2 people like this
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
27 Aug 11
Hi Tina,
I am sorry that your boss is that mean. If you have doctor's notes you should be able to go to our appointments. Can you go to the Labor Board and file a complaint with them as well? I wish I coud help you more than just pry even though I know you appreciate the prayers that are coming from you friends.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
2 Sep 11
Well, I have filed many complaints against my Boss. Just came from seeing my regular Doctor again yesterday and the Wound Care center today and my notes stand, so there is nothing that he can do. He can Write me up etc. but I have backing so he has no Grounds to stand on now.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Aug 11
Wow, it sounds like you really need to get away from this Boss of yours. Fancy him saying his word goes over your doctor's note. I've never heard that one before my friend.
Are you still looking for another job?
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
12 Sep 11
Well, I have turned him into EEOC, etc. and wondering what will ever become of this and will things with my job get easier or harder from here? He says he switched my days off as of this week to where I permanently have Fridays off because of this situation which is good, but waiting to see how other things continue to progress from here. I did not get paid for one Vacation day I requested and still waiting to see if I get my raise. The raise thing is Discrimination if denied, but it will be interesting to see.
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Well I continue to think that it is because of all the Prayers of many people that my job situation has not gotten any worse. It has been interesting for sure, and I am learning a lot about Health and the importance of a workplace, etc. and think in time it will be a betterment for the place I work. Personally it is a shame so many places are continuing to make it so miserable but with all the Budget cuts etc. sometimes it makes you wonder can you blame them?
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
24 Sep 11
Well, if anything it will just wake him up a little, and maybe the company to where when someone has a Medical issue it is not taken as something minor, and the person be forced to think they still need to come to work even when they are endangering their Health more. I think it will also teach them a little more about some of the rules and what things they really might consider wanting to follow.
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Aug 11
Keep strong. You're fighting the good fight.
Just a suggestion... How about spraying your work area with Lysol everytime you go in? Kill some germs and make a visual statement at the same time.
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
2 Sep 11
Well, they will not let us use Lysol. They say it might effect some people. There were some using Febreeze until it was even told could not use. Now we have nats which everyone thinks is no Big deal as well even though everyone goes there and starts itching. It is GROUSE.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
6 Sep 11
It is unreal sometimes what they allow, and do not allow, and I am sure a lot of the things that go on here is against the Health Code. There are many things I know that are against my standards, and not acceptable from a Diabetic standpoint and from the lists of things I have read online. Not sure whether they could ever come up to more of a code for anything or not.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Sep 11
That's probably a health violation, too. When I worked for a call centre we had to disinfect the phone and keyboard before and after each shift.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
27 Aug 11
I enjoy my job for the most part..but my bosses are all about work. They don't realize that people have a life....all they are concerned with it the money aspects of the buisness...they are a bit like your boss. Last year I called in for the second time in 26 years...I had the flu so bad I almost passed out....she actually tried to make me come in!!! They also don't believe that you need time off for family. I think the world is getting more this way then not...I am looking at retirement in a couple of years though.at least I have that to look forward to!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
12 Sep 11
Personally it is Sad when people quit looking at their employees as people, and only a number. Where I work they want Drs. notes to let them know you are going to be missing days, etc. and when you do then they complain and try making excuses around that. I think it is getting to the point where they forget that not every person is always going to be in tip top Health and when they have a Health problem they need to be able to work around that.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
3 Oct 11
I'm really sorry that things have gotten that bad for you. Did you lose your job or do you still have it? Did the situation get resolved? It really isn't right that your boss should treat you like that. I just wish I wasn't so far behind on discussions as you have probably posted updates on the situation since the time you posted this one. I hope all is going well for you now. Have a great week!!!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
4 Oct 11
Well, if you follow some of my more recent updates since this one you will find that I still have this job, and have filed complaints and waiting to see if I have to file even more and go from there. My leg is continuing to get better, but not healed yet to where I am patiently waiting to be able to move on from here. No matter what happens from here, I continue to know and believe that God is in control.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
5 Oct 11
I might get caught up on more recent discussions over the next couple of weeks. I'm glad that things are starting to look better with your leg. I hope that your job situation improves as well. Hang in there!!!
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
27 Aug 11
This is what short-term disability insurance is for, those like you who cannot be at work every day and aren't sick enough to qualify for Social Security disability. I'm assuming that you do not have short-term disability?
When I had cancer and was going through three surgeries, I quit the job I had at the time because I felt it was unfair to my employers for me to be missing so much time when they needed someone in my position to be there every day. I could understand their position, even though I wished I could have kept my job and had it waiting for me to get better from each surgery. The thing is, by my quitting before my employment records got bad from me missing so much time, I was able to be re-hired by them once my health improved (and I actually was hired back by them).
Luckily, I had put a percentage of my pay in my savings account every week while I was working so I would have something to fall back on in case of emergency, like when I could not work. I've always strived to put a bit away every time I was paid, even now on disability. It's extremely important that everyone have something to fall back on.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
9 Sep 11
Well unfortunately right now there is No way we can set anything aside as we are just barely able to make ends meet as is. But due to being married there is not much help out there due to our income, but I know God is in control. Things are working out for the Best. I just need to keep on hanging on and believing God is in control and one day soon everything is going to be alright.
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Aug 11
Not sure what have Fridays off and a heart attack or stroke have in common. The boss there still needs workers to man the place. If Fridays are busy then he needs to depend on people and have the place manned for the business at hand. If he can't then his business is in jeperdy. This guy you speak of should be checked out. So many people are afraid of losing their jobs and so they don't do anything to hender it. I would wonder if the FMLA or EEOC couldn't check and see for themselves if others who worked there previously have had medical problems due to the place or not. I doubt that your bosses eyes will ever be opened. His bottom line is manning the place and meeting the work load. That is true of any business. There comes a line that must be drawn as to what even a nice boss will put up with and the bottomline of work load. If this is a right to work state I doubt you have a leg to stand on. If it isn't I hope something can be done.
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
22 Sep 11
Well, making a complaint to the EEOC about things has changed things a little where I work, and now I have Thursdays and Fridays off which is a big help. He realized that I was complaining about things, and maybe in a way it will help some of the others around there who have Medical issues as well. As for others Health I have tried to help at least one of them to realize some of their medical problems is nothing to mess around with, but unless they determine to do something about it there is not much more anyone can do. But at least now I have the stress relieved off me that not being able to work Fridays for now was going to be a Burden.
@oXAquaXo (607)
• United States
28 Aug 11
Tina,
I'm really sorry to hear about this. It sucks to be discriminated against for reasons you can't control, and frankly, it's wrong and illegal. I'm sure that your boss and his company is in for a pretty big trial, because this is BLATANT discrimination.
I've been discriminated against in the past, but it wasn't over health matters, but racial. My family is proudly Chinese, but some people don't seem to see us that way, but as job-stealing immigrants. My dad has a Doctorate from UPenn and my mom has a Masters, and we were hard-working people. I grew up in the States, so I define myself more as an American than as a Chinese, but I still embrace my culture. So one of my sister's "friends" decided to beat her up, then tell her father that my "parents yelled at her", and ran out shouting at us. We immediately went home and called the police and the situation was straightened out.
But my point is, it's always good to stick up for yourself and stand for what you believe in. I'm really glad you're suing them, and I hope it goes well!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
22 Sep 11
Well, I have filed a thing with the EEOC and now waiting to see what will happen from here. I know that I will probably be looked at a little differently and eventually everyone be afraid to say or try anything and I am sure they are shocked that I would ever consider going this far with something as well. But at least my days have been switched to where I have Thursday and Friday off now, and everything seems to be a little calmer except for I still have not gotten my raise which is going on the report as well that I was due in July when I reached being there 5 yrs with this company.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
28 Aug 11
You have along road a head of you. When it comes to getting suits filed,settled out of court or going to court that could be years before that happens! I don't know if you realize this. I still think with your health issues you should be finding a job where you can work at home. You are a diabetic. As you get older you might be having more health issues do to the diabetis. I realy believe you aren't even thinking about that when you should. I also believe you need to consider trying to get on SSI. It is good that you are fighting for you job but you also need to think about the future.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
23 Sep 11
Well, I am married and for now am working outside the home. Would Love to get something going Financially from home to where I could work only when I am feeling like it without having to be limited by rules, etc. But that would mean being able to make enough to have a decent amount coming in plus having insurance. SSD would not pay enough for us to keep my home, plus I would rather work while I can. The job situation is worth fighting for to help make sure things keep on the up and up to prevent this happening to someone else. And I now have Fridays off to go to the Drs.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
27 Aug 11
It sounds like they are doing anything they can to get you to quit. I am going to say that probably he can pick which days he can make you work over what the doctor says. I am sorry they are giving you such a hard time.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
6 Sep 11
Well, it has been interesting and even though my Boss seemed a little more understanding last Friday when I talked to him on the phone, I am still waiting to see how things progress. It has been totally interesting and I wish there was a way that they could clean up and improve things. I do know I am still wanting to leave there, but not until the right job comes along as well.
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32760)
• Calgary, Alberta
29 Aug 11
I was my own Appendix because of this job, a lot of people in my country were so hyped about that job of yours. The media in my country were like saying his job is paying the simply an all you need is to either receive calls or make calls. They had those false promises about how easy is this profession but it's really cuthroat and it's really is stressful. I'm really finding my way out of this industry because I want to have a longer life. I was set in the heirs of my youth out of this job and it makes me feel older because of the stress. I only a few people here who are really happy and passionate about this industry. At least after month promotion I'm going to receive calls anymore but seeing people being stressed out every night makes no difference at all. It is is still a stressful and now I have responsibilities.
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
27 Sep 11
Yes, most people never realize what type of job being a Call taker is unless they have done it themselves, and many times it is quite stressful and a Thankless job. I also know it is not for everyone, but when you have added pressures coming from your Boss, etc. it can make it a double whammy for sure.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
27 Aug 11
Hi Tina,
Is there any way you could change your appointments to Monday? They may argue that they will not stand in the way of your appointments, but that you just can't take off on Fridays. It puts them in a tight spot when you take off... granted you have health issues, and if they knew that when they hired you and knew that you had to have time off and still hired you.. it would be on them... but if this all cropped up after being hired, then I don't know if it is can truly be called discrimination. They may argue that you can't perform your job on the days you are needed.
I think it would be good if you could get disability and just be out of there. Surely, you need a clean environment, and people working there spreading their germs is a hazard to you, because you likely have an impaired immune system. Then again, your health issues may only be their problem if they hired you before any health problems were brought up to them.
I do pray for you, and I hope that someone can help you with all this and I hope that you never have to go without a paycheck.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
9 Sep 11
Well if I was single there would be more options for me like Disability, etc. but since I am Married, they usually want to go by income for offering help. And it has been over 5 yrs since I was on Disability for my leg, and they gave me the ultimatum either Disability or work, and I chose work. They have switched my days off now to where I permanently have Fridays off starting next week so making the complaints worked in my favor instead.
