My Horrible Employer

[LOPSIDED]

I'VE GOT TO GRIPE ABOUT MY JOB AGAIN----SO EXCUSE ME. THEY MOVED ME INTO THE DRIVE THRU AT THE CREDIT UNION WHICH IS SO MUCH MORE STRESSFUL THAN WORKING IN THE LOBBY. ITS MUCH MORE FAST-PACED, NOISEY, CONFUSING AND YOUR STANDING ON YOUR FEET ALL DAY ON BUSY DAYS. AT THIS POINT I AM DOING HERCEPTIN WKLY, HAVE BEEN THRU A/C & TAXOTERE. I TIRE VERY EASILY AND TOLD THEM I WAS TO0 SICK TO MOVE INTO THE DRIVE-THRU. THEY MADE ME GO AND NATURALLY I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE. I CALLED THEM AND TOLD THEM I WAS NOT COMING BACK TO WORK UNTIL THEY MOVED ME. I OFFERED TO WORK IN THE LOBBY AT OUR BRANCH OR SEVERAL OF THE OTHER BRANCHES. I OFFERED TO GO TO THE MEMBER SERVICE CENTER WHICH IS THE PHONES & MAIL CENTER. I HAVE QUALIFIED FOR LONG-TERM DISABILITY. THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPT AT MY WORK SAID SINCE I HAD ALREADY USED MY FMLA LEAVE FOR THE YEAR AND WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THAT UNTIL SEPT. AND I HAD NO OTHER PERSONAL LEAVE THAT IF I STAYED OUT THEY WOULD HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO TERMINATE ME. SO IF I AM SICK AND CANNOT GO BACK FOR SOME REASON FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THEY ARE TELLING ME I WILL LOSE MY JOB. CAN THEY DO THIS SINCE I HAVE LONG-TERM DISABILITY. THEY TELL ME THEY CAN. THEY SAID MY INSURANCE WITH BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD WILL END AND I WOULD QUALIFY FOR COBRA INSURANCE WHICH WILL LASTS 18 MONTHS. I STOOD MY GROUND AND THEY FINALLY AGREED TO LET ME GO BACK INTO THE LOBBY. HOWEVER, THEY MADE IT VERY CLEAR THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH ME. THEY BELIEVE I AM JUST MAD ABOUT BEING MOVED. WHAT HAPPENS TO ME IF I HAVE A COMPLICATION WITH MY TREATMENT. I KNOW I WOULD STILL GET MY DISABILITY CHECK BUT IF I HAVE TO PAY HIGH PRICE COBRA INSURANCE WHAT GOOD IS A MEASILY DISABILITY CHECK. I FEEL LIKE GOING TO A LAWYER.

[chartermom02]

I'm not positive but I don't think they can terminate you because of the Persons with Disabilities Act; I think I'd at least consult an attorney.

[Barbara H.]

Hi Lopsided,
If you are just on Herceptin, I think you are going to find that you are going to eventually regain your strenghth. However, dealing with a job where you are not appreciated is very exhausting, depressing, and detrimental to your health. Studies have proven that this kind of stress depresses the immune system. This is not what you need at this time. You now have a life to build, and I would begin networking and put my efforts into finding a job where you feel valued and enjoy at the same time. I would not waste my time with this employer. I wouldn't quite until I have something new, but I would do everything in my power to leave and find a new working life. Change is not easy and may not come as soon as you like, but I hope for you that you find a job where you receive satisfaction and appreciation.

What has happened to you should be a wake up call for others who work with you . No one is immune to health issues.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

Best regards,
Barbara Holz

[LOPSIDED]

BARBARA, I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE THIS JOB BUT ITS ALL ABOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE. MY BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD WOULD END AND I WOULD HAVE COBRA INSURANCE WHICH IS SO EXPENSIVE. IF I LEAVE I CAN ONLY GET COBRA FOR 18 MONTHS----WHAT IF I HAVE MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS. SAY I PAY IT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND GET A NEW JOB. WILL I BE ABLE TO GET INSURANCE WITH ANOTHER COMPANY. I DON'T SEE HOW-----I HAVE HERCEPTIN TREATMENT FOR A 10 MORE MONTHS. WOULDN'T THEY SAY I HAD PRE-EXISITING DISEASE. I'M SINGLE AND MY LONG TERM DISABILITY CHECK IS NOT THAT MUCH. I READ UP ON THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND AFTER YOU USE FMLA LEAVE AND PERSONAL LEAVE THEY CAN LET YOU GO........THEY CALL IT AN UNDO HARDSHIP ON THE COMPANY TO KEEP YOU ON. I GUESS ALL WE CAN DO IS PRAY.

[Barbara H.]

Hi Lopsided,
I understand what you mean about preexisting conditions, but I have heard that this may no longer be true for companies that offer group insurance. I can't be sure about this and it may be vary by state. Perhaps there are others here who have changed jobs and can offer you help. Hopefully, after 10 months this cancer will be licked, and you may never have to deal with it again. I'm still hoping that you will find something better that works for you. In the meantime, just tell them that your getting your strength back, and expect to put this behind you. Thank them for what they have done, and try to make it though the next 10 months. But, keep your eyes open and pursue other options.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Sandy H]

My insurance person, who is also a friend, told me the insurance company can not deny you insurance based on a pre existing condition however, that is not to say they can not charge you a high premium and/or a high deductible. I am sure that they can get around this some how if they don't want to take you on. I know when you mention cancer that changes everything but we are not suppose to know that. I thought I was going to have to go on Cobra when my husband went out on disability and the premiums for me were tripled because of my diagnose. Not fair. You may need to ask an attorney this question as each state may vary. This whole thing can be so unfair for us. I had a friend who fought her way through the state system as she had no insurance but worked 3 jobs when diagnosed. She won and now they have to cover her for 5 years with follow ups etc! They even dropped her after the first year and her doctor called right up and told them they could not do that and they then, said it was a paper error and should never happened!!! But then the stress of it all was not good. I wish you well and keep us posted on how you make out. hugs, Sandy

Hi,
I have found that the workplace is not very compassionate. They are looking at their bottom line and prefer healthy candidates. I have needed my job so I try to keep quiet about my cancer. It is very stressful so I will be going on disability next month. For me I just felt while I stayed I would just make the best of it as unfair and unjust as that may be. I have Stage 4 bc for 6 years and my company provides excellent benefits. So that is the trade off in my case. I am very physically able but I do not like the fact that I have to put up and shut up. I think all jobs give one stress (to different degrees).

[Ruth]

I just hated reading this post!!! I truly don't understand why employers can't be more considerate??!! You may need to go to a lawyer if you are terminated and can sue for discrimination...but before that happens I would suggest searching for a new job while you are still employed. An employer with a more understanding attitude and pleasant work environment that also offers health insurance. Also, document, document, document at work in case you do get fired, moved, demoted. The more physical evidence the better the case. Remember conversations, write them down, date, time and who spoke & what about.

COBRA insurance payments must be the same amount that you & your company pay for your coverage currently...it can't be more. The coverage will be exactly the same for the 18 months as if you were still covered at your job. Different states have options afterwards...for example in Georgia as long as you apply for medical insurance & will be turned down before the 18 months are up in COBRA you will be placed into a pool of denied insurance people (yes, pre-existing conditions do apply when you go for insurance on your own). From that pool a carrier would have to pick you up and usually it is the largest carrier in the state (like BCBS). The premiums may be higher at that point but you can also do high deductibles. If you don't apply for insurance and get denied while you are still covered by COBRA, then you lost the golden opportunity to get into the pool of insured who are denied. You can get insurance but most likely no coverage for cancer since it is a pre-existing condition until 10 years are up. I learned all of this recently after going through a pleasant divorce with my insurance attorney Ex!

I hope that things improve at work for you. This is just such a crappy situation when someone who is fighting for life has to worry about health insurance! This country has a lot going for it but I must say the health insurance issue stinks!

Ruth

[LOPSIDED]

I'VE MADE UP MY MIND I WILL NOT QUIT. THEY WILL PROBABLY FIRE ME FOR SOMETHING BUT I AM GOING TO TRY TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND DO MY JOB CORRECTLY. THE PERSON IN HUMAN RESOURCES TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT MOVE ME TO ANOTHER POSITION BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY HIRED PEOPLE AND NOTHING WAS AVAILABLE. I WORK FOR A CREDIT UNION WITH OVER 6 BRANCES AND KNOW FOR A FACT EVERY BRANCH IS SHORT-HANDED. HE SAID IF I STAYED OUT OF WORK WAITING FOR A POSITION I HAD NO LEAVE AVAILABLE THAT WOULD LEAVE THEM WITH NO OPTIONS----BUT HE WAS CAREFUL AND DIDN'T ACTUALLY USE THE WORD TERMINATE. I DON'T BELIEVE THEY CAN DO THAT------I BELIEVE MY RIGHTS ARE TO REQUEST REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS AND THEY HAVE TO MEET THEM AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT PUT A HARDSHIP ON THE EMPLOYER. ANYWAY THEY BACKED DOWN AND LET ME GO BACK TO THE LOBBY BUT HE DID TELL ME IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS WHEN ITS MY TURN TO GO BACK TO DRIVE THRU I WOULD BE EXPECTED TO DO IT. HE SAID IF I BROUGHT A DOCTORS NOTE LIMITING ME FROM THAT JOB ---THAT THEY WOULD BE TELLING THEM I COULD NOT DO MY JOB ANYMORE AND THEY WOULD HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LET ME GO. I BELIEVE THEY WOULD BE WRONG IN THAT CASE----BECAUSE I FEEL I CAN DO MY JOB IN A LESS STRESSFUL ATMOSHPHERE JUST NOT IN DRIVE-THRU WHERE IT IS MORE PHYSICALLY EXAUSTING. INSIDE I CAN SIT AT MY DESK AND ITS NOT SO NOISEY AND FAST-PACED.

[Esther]

About 18 months after I finished treatment for primary BC, I began a new job with a large national corp. Their insurance picked me up with no problems and no pre-existing conditions.

Less than six months after I got there, I developed mets and the policy picked up treatments without a problem.

If that's an option for you, I'd look into working for a large national company, those tend to have the least roadblocks to being picked up by a group policy.

[MJo]

If you get another job with health insurance, they must carry over your treatment. I believe it's a federal law now. I would talk to a lawyer about the way your company is treating you. I would invest in the consultation, but make sure it's a lawyer who cares about fighting discrimination. Good luck. I admire your fighting spirit, but don't put unnecessary stress on yourself. If you decide to leave anyway, give em hell. MJO

[Joe]

We are planning to have a legal expert be our first teleconferencing guest. I am planning it to be held about 6PM pdt, which is 9PM edt.

Any opinions as to the day of the week. This will be a teleconference, no computer needed.

Regards
Joe

[Ora]

I agree there's not much compassion in the workplace anymore. Maybe it's because we're surviving longer. I've been at this company for 30 years, in management and have to keep fairly quiet about my cancer too. My upper management seemed very caring at first but after missing so much with a year of chemo & rad treatments & fatigue, they don't understand why I can't put in a 60 hour week now or why I have set-backs or why I have to go for herceptin treatment - wasn't I finished with chemo? My husband wants me to retire, but that's all I'd get is a gold watch & they even came out last week & said they would only guarantee retiree's insurance at the current rate for 3 years. The sad part is I really love my job but my chemo-brain is taking a toll, and I don't need the stress right now, but I do need the insurance.

You don't need that kind of stress either. Good luck to you.

Ora

[StephN]

This was sent to me by a fellow cancer survivor. Rather appropriate for this thread.


>Subject: The Lord's Visit to Earth
>
>
>One day in heaven, the Lord decided He would visit the earth and take a
>stroll. Walking down the road, He encountered a woman who was crying.
>
>The Lord asked the woman, "Why are you crying, my daughter"? The woman said
>she was blind and had never seen a sunset. The Lord touched the woman and
>she could see and she was happy.
>
>As the Lord walked further, He met another woman crying and asked, "Why are
>you crying, my daughter"? The woman was born a cripple and had never been
>able to walk. The Lord touched her and she could walk and she was
>extremely
>happy.
>
>Further down the road, the Lord met another woman who was crying and asked,
>"Why are you crying, my daughter"? The woman said,
> "Lord, I work for the government .".............and the Lord sat down >and
>cried with her.

Oh, Steph! That's rich!

I work for the government....
dee

[chrisy]

I vote for sometime on the weekend...otherwise I'd have to listen to it while I'm at work and I might get in trouble
Keep us posted!

[geraldine]

Hi Lopsided,
I read your thread and felt a mixture of sadness and anger for you.
How very hard hearted your employers must be.
Have you not came through enough, do they want to see you suffer more...?
Have they any compassion ?
I will pray for you and hope everything works out for you but I would definately go see a lawyer. Here in the UK and assuming I was in the same boat, I am sure I could sue them for Constructive Dismissal or something like that..Its worth finding out about

Hope All Goes Well
Will watch this thread with interest
Geraldine x

[LOPSIDED]

TODAY I WENT INTO WORK IN THE LOBBY, MY NORMAL JOB. MY CO-WORKERS WERE SO HAPPY TO SEE ME AND THE MANAGERS SEEMED OKAY. I KNOW I WILL GET WROTE UP FOR THE MISTAKE I MADE IN THE DRIVE-THRU---BUT THEY DIDN'T DO IT TODAY. I KNOW THE MANAGERS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH ME BUT THEY LEFT ME ALONE. ITS LIKE THEY THINK I'M JUST PITCHING A TEMPER TANTRUM AND DON'T WON'T TO WORK DRIVE THRU NOT BECAUSE I'M SICK BUT JUST BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE IT. I AM DOING MUCH BETTER SINCE STARTING HERCEPTIN BUT I STILL TIRE EASILY AND FEEL THE HECTIC, FAST-PACED ATMOSHPHERE IN DRIVE-THRU IS JUST TOO MUCH RIGHT NOW. THE THING THAT REALLY WORRIES ME IS THE FACT I HAVE NO MORE LEAVE AND CAN'T QUALIFY FOR FMLA LEAVE AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER. I REALLY NEVER REALIZED ONCE ALL THAT LEAVE & SHORT-TERM DISABILITY IS EXAUSTED YOUR JOB IS HISTORY. I ALWAYS THOUGHT IF YOU HAD LONG-TERM DISABILITY THAT WOULD KEEP YOUR JOB AVAILABLE---BUT I'M SURE LEARNING A FEW THINGS. I HOPE THIS MESS BLOWS OVER AT WORK. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD EMPLOYEE AND I AM SO SHOCKED AT HOW MANAGEMENT IS READY FOR YOU TO QUIT AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO HEAR IT. ITS LIKE THEY WANT TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR ME AND KICK ME TO THE CURB. TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH I PROBABLY WON'T QUALIFY FOR FMLA AGAIN BECAUSE I'M ONLY WORKING 25 HOURS A WEEK NOW. I THINK YOU HAVE TO WORK A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS A YEAR TO QUALIFY (1250) DON'T THINK I'LL HAVE ENOUGH HOURS. WELL I'M NOT PLANNING ON HAVING COMPLICATIONS. THINGS ARE GOING GOOD BUT THE WORRY IS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND. THANKS FOR LISTENING. I LOVE THIS SITE. SHEILA

[Sherry in WV]

Your state should have an Attorney General. Your money pays his salary. We have used ours many times. Your should also have an insurance commisioner who should be able to answer your insurance questions. I know that if your like us, money has become an issue. Your state may also have a web site that will list all state services. It really sounds as if your company is trying to get rid of you. Take care and hang in there. I would also put your concerns about your job, to the human resourse dept, listing the things you told them. That way if they do fire u for a mistake or something, you have proof of your concerns.
Send the letter so that someone has to sign for it, proof that they received it.
Take care, Good Luck and Hang in there
Sherry in WV

[LOPSIDED]

WELL THEY FINALLY GOT AROUND TO WRITING ME UP AT WORK. I ADMIT I DID MAKE THE MISTAKE BUT I FEEL IF THEY HADN'T MOVED ME OUT OF MY REGULAR JOB POSITION AND PUT ME SOMEWHERE MORE STRESSFUL IT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THEY ALSO WROTE ME UP FOR A MISTAKE I MADE BACK IN JANUARY. AT THAT TIME I WAS GOING THRU TAXOTERE TREATMENT AND WAS VERY EXAUSTED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT MISTAKE I DID TAKE SHORT-TERM DISABILITY. IT SAID THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY. I'VE WORKED THERE SINCE 1999 AND HAVE NEVER WENT THRU ANYTHING LIKE THIS........I KNOW I'M NOT 100% AT MY JOB ANYMORE BUT GOD I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN. I GUESS THEIR BUILDING THEIR FILE AGAINST ME AND IT'LL JUST BE A MATTER OF TIME. I'M NOT THAT UPSET ANYMORE.....ITS JUST A LITTLE TELLER JOB AND I COULD ALWAYS GET ANOTHER ONE----I JUST WANT TO SURVIVE AND FEEL WELL AGAIN. THANKS FOR LISTENING.