My Horrible Employer

LOPSIDED · 07-19-2006, 06:40 PM

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 · 07-19-2006, 06:45 PM

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. · 07-19-2006, 08:24 PM

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 · 07-19-2006, 08:37 PM

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. · 07-19-2006, 09:02 PM

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 · 07-20-2006, 05:37 AM

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

geraldine · 07-20-2006, 08:16 PM

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 · 07-21-2006, 07:51 PM

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 · 07-26-2006, 07:02 PM

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 · 07-29-2006, 08:57 AM

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.