dopetalk
General => General Discussion for Everybody => Topic started by: Snoop on October 29, 2015, 03:06:42 PM
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So, hey all... Last I was here I shared about my new diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis.
Well, in lieu of waking on Monday Morning, I faced my usual bout of malaise and dry heaving... And I have been going and going and going lately.
So Monday morning, I said Uncle... I NEVER call in, like... Ever.
I'll show up in horrible shape and have em' send me on my way before I call in.
I don't know, I just fucking HATE putting in that Goddamned call.
But Monday, there was just no fucking more "go" in me. I called in.
I showed up today this morning, and right out of the gate, my boss is telling me to "come and sign my write up"
HUH?????
Since when does a CORPORATE job have the right to 'punish' you for taking a sick day to go to see a doctor?
At any rate, I refused to sign the fucking thing. My direct supervisor said that he'd take the write up back.... "If I produce a letter or note of WHY I saw the doctor"
I told him that I could produce a note showing that I did IN FACT go to the ER. But I fail to see what my PERSONAL reasons for going, matters????
I mean, what if I was fucking my wife the night before and my Dick bent the wrong way and I needed help STAT.... You see where I'm going with this?
I really don't want to make waves at work, and I really need every job I'm working right now. But, at what point should you lean on em' and remind them of State Labor Laws?
I'm a hard worker, so I'm not in fear of losing the job.... It's just, goddammit man.
What would you do?
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You'll be fine. You're just overreacting. As soon as you produce a letter from a hospital ED or an MD, you're good as gold.
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I used to work in HR (human resources, not harm reduction).
In general, your work cannot ask you why you went to the doctor unless you are requesting an accommodation based on a disability (let's say you went in for asthma and are now asking for a special air filter for your office or work area.) Even then there are limits to what they can ask.
They can ask you to show that you are (a) fit for work (i.e. no physical restrictions) via a doctor's excuse or note and/or (b) to produce "proof" (as you are willing to do) that you were actually at the doctor. Even "b" is sort of iffy, if you have a sick day policy and you called in and everything - you were simply utilizing the existing policy as it was intended.
If they ask you these ???'s or make you supply proof, they better be applying this rule evenly to EVERYONE who goes to the doctor. If they want to have these rules they need to be equally applied to all employees in all circumstances. Yeah, I know.
So that said, I would politely offer, as you have already, to produce proof you were at the ER but decline to produce the diagnosis. I'd ask why they need to know... as in "May I ask why you need to know? It's not a communicable disease of any sort and I am not asking for anything special now that I am back to work so it's not relevant."
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Some of this is covered under ADA/FMLA; some small employers are not bound to follow all the rules, so there's that. But in general, no - they should not be able to ask for your DIAGNOSIS. Sheesh.
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Ya I agree. I'd probably show them something from the hospital with a date, but not the reason.
If that's not enough and they demand a reason, then there's a problem.
'luck wit it.
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The bigger the company the more HR bullshit you'll have to put up with. The second to last job I had was expanding somewhat rapidly and the HR department just kept getting more and more annoying. Main reason I quit.
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I am honest with my work about my addiction problems in the past, my current methadone treatment, and my needs around doctors appointments and pharmacy visits.
Is it their business? No. I work in a relatively small (200 employees) family run business. The boss has been very discreet, and I think my honesty has allowed me to earn more of their confidence.
I actually prefer to be able to be open about my situation. I didn't like feeling like I was still hiding a drug addiction, and detested lying to my friends and colleagues.
My situation probably isn't typical to you. Canada affords certain protections, and I can not be fired for being on methadone. They would have to build up an alternative reasoning to fire me. Maybe it is different in your state, but I know that some states allow employees to be fired whenever and for whatever. Even without a reason.
Would I provide a diagnosis? It depends on the diagnosis. My boss has talked to me about the frustration of doctors notes. You don't need to he sick to get one. You can make up a silly reason and most will go for it. Here they make extra money directly for writing a work note. Often $30-$50, and as a result they will write a note for anything.
We have had employees come in with notes, and then brag to employees that the were out partying and got the note three days later.
I think that is the reasoning behind the diagnosis. To cement the legitimacy. Is the diagnosis something detrimental to you? Is it worth concealing and going to bat for your rights? Only you can answer that one. My doctor writes that I have an appointment for a consultation. I might verbally tell what it was for, but I might be hesitant to officially docent my reason for a doctor visit.
Care to share the diagnosis, or did I just miss it?
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Every single thing subox said. I would politely "educate" your HR/boss about Ada/fmla FEDERAL law and ask if they need your documentation to state you do not have a condition that requires them to make any special accommodations for you & mention that you wouldn't want them to have to "worry" in the future. Your colitis is you & your Drs business. Aack--what is it with this kind of nosiness??
ETA: i just thought of this--if you prefer to "not make waves", you could just bring in a note from your Dr (sans diagnosis etc) for your sick day. If they persist with the inappropriate "why", *then* maybe mention privacy rights etc?
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I am sorry this is happening to you...you certainly don't need more stress in your life, especially with your diagnosis.
Since it is a "corporate" job as you said, I'm sure they have a handbook and procedure for every-fuckin-thing.
I'd consult the handbook to see what it specifically states about sick days. If you called in and reported to the appropriate person in the appropriate time frame to use a sick day, then I can't see where you should have to provide any documentation. In my opinion, it's ludicrous that you've been asked for a note and a downright violation to be asked for a note stating your diagnosis. I mean its not like a person goes to the doctor every time they are sick enough to stay home from work (we all know what stomach flu or food poisoning feels like and don't need to go to a doctor to puke in their waiting room to be told "go home and rest and drink plenty of fluids").
If you've followed all the procedural rules and are not a repeat offender (which you said you weren't), and the procedure rules don't require a doctors note; I would politely ask them to explain why, because based on the handbook you shouldn't have to. If they persist, I would ask why am I the exception to every other employee. Usually in a corporate environment, that question will get them to back down quite quickly.
Please keep us updated. Good luck!
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I don't have much to add in the way of why they're treating you this way that hasn't already been addressed and I'm very sorry about the new diagnosis. I'm just glad you finally got a job that sounds like it's overall ok for you. Last I remember, you were looking for work and was having trouble in the sandwich shop or whatever. Hope the fam is good. Take care...
I am sorry this is happening to you...you certainly don't need more stress in your life, especially with your diagnosis.
Since it is a "corporate" job as you said, I'm sure they have a handbook and procedure for every-fuckin-thing.
I'd consult the handbook to see what it specifically states about sick days. If you called in and reported to the appropriate person in the appropriate time frame to use a sick day, then I can't see where you should have to provide any documentation. In my opinion, it's ludicrous that you've been asked for a note and a downright violation to be asked for a note stating your diagnosis. I mean its not like a person goes to the doctor every time they are sick enough to stay home from work (we all know what stomach flu or food poisoning feels like and don't need to go to a doctor to puke in their waiting room to be told "go home and rest and drink plenty of fluids").
If you've followed all the procedural rules and are not a repeat offender (which you said you weren't), and the procedure rules don't require a doctors note; I would politely ask them to explain why, because based on the handbook you shouldn't have to. If they persist, I would ask why am I the exception to every other employee. Usually in a corporate environment, that question will get them to back down quite quickly.
Please keep us updated. Good luck!
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Thank you all for the replies.
I just basically showed them the form that showed that I was in fact, at the hospital, on such and such date, from such and such times.
My direct supervisor didn't seem all that worried about it at all.....
@Zoops - I wasn't over here, fuming and losing control. (overreacting)
T'was only a mere inquiry, to find if another member had ever experienced the same, or similar situation.
Have a great day.
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Glad you feel relieved
Hope things continue to
Go well for you
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Glad you feel relieved
Hope things continue to
Go well for you
Thanx for the well wishes, hope y'all are doing well also.
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I'd like to add, that today I was called upstairs and since I have a pronounced limp from my prior injuries, they were concerned that "It may have happened at work".
I told them that my limp is old as the hills and had zilch to do with WHY I missed work.
That seemed to calm them down, lol... I think they're paranoid since there is a former employee who injured himself at work and is opening up a WC case.
Fucking corporations...... We're all gonna be replaced by robots soon anyway.
With all the "self checkout lanes" and "Automated Tellers" at the Bank.
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I'd like to add, that today I was called upstairs and since I have a pronounced limp from my prior injuries, they were concerned that "It may have happened at work".
I told them that my limp is old as the hills and had zilch to do with WHY I missed work.
That seemed to calm them down, lol... I think they're paranoid since there is a former employee who injured himself at work and is opening up a WC case.
Fucking corporations...... We're all gonna be replaced by robots soon anyway.
With all the "self checkout lanes" and "Automated Tellers" at the Bank.
We're ok
Did you know that corporations
Don't HAVE to carry
Workers Compensation insurance?
A high percentage of companies
In Texas don't carry it
Which I can totally see
B/c of the oil industry in that state
Which is rife with claims
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I'd like to add, that today I was called upstairs and since I have a pronounced limp from my prior injuries, they were concerned that "It may have happened at work".
I told them that my limp is old as the hills and had zilch to do with WHY I missed work.
That seemed to calm them down, lol... I think they're paranoid since there is a former employee who injured himself at work and is opening up a WC case.
Fucking corporations...... We're all gonna be replaced by robots soon anyway.
With all the "self checkout lanes" and "Automated Tellers" at the Bank.
We're ok
Did you know that corporations
Don't HAVE to carry
Workers Compensation insurance?
A high percentage of companies
In Texas don't carry it
Which I can totally see
B/c of the oil industry in that state
Which is rife with claims
CA ain't TX, by a longshot.
WC is mandatory in CA, and it's a BFD here, which is why his employer is nervous.
Frankly, they should be nervous..
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I'd like to add, that today I was called upstairs and since I have a pronounced limp from my prior injuries, they were concerned that "It may have happened at work".
I told them that my limp is old as the hills and had zilch to do with WHY I missed work.
That seemed to calm them down, lol... I think they're paranoid since there is a former employee who injured himself at work and is opening up a WC case.
Fucking corporations...... We're all gonna be replaced by robots soon anyway.
With all the "self checkout lanes" and "Automated Tellers" at the Bank.
We're ok
Did you know that corporations
Don't HAVE to carry
Workers Compensation insurance?
A high percentage of companies
In Texas don't carry it
Which I can totally see
B/c of the oil industry in that state
Which is rife with claims
CA ain't TX, by a longshot.
WC is mandatory in CA, and it's a BFD here, which is why his employer is nervous.
Frankly, they should be nervous..
You're right
CA ain't TX
TX is WAY better
And sooo much more liberal!!