Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Considering medical leave

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Considering medical leave

    Things have become a lot worse for me in the past month, worse than they've been in the five and a half years I've been going through this. I'm wondering what to do about work because it feels like a constant struggle. I work at a university bookstore and past few weeks I've been doing data entry in an office, so I've been able to have access to the washroom, although its still stressful because people see me constantly getting up from my desk and going. Starting next week, I have to work on the retail floor and I honestly don't know how I'll be able to do it the way my symptoms are right now. I won't be able to just go when I need to, and it will be very obvious when I go, and I'll have to let coworkers or supervisors know every time I step away to go use the washroom, and when it's this frequent, I won't be able to deal with that. My employer doesn't know about my condition and it's not something I want to discuss with them. They had a talk with me last year about taking too many sick days and pretty much threatened to fire me if it continued. I'm considering requesting a medical leave, but that process itself seems like such an ordeal. It's also unpaid, and I think I might lose my benefits that way. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice or has gone though this sort of thing before & knows what I should expect and if it's worth trying to do.
    Thanks.
    Tags: employer, frequency, medical leave, work
  • #2
    Re: Considering medical leave

    If the book store is a part of the university, I encourage you to talk with the office where they deal with disabilities. The Americans With Disabilities Act requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Family leave is also a good thing because it prevents people from losing their jobs because of medical appointments or short term illnesses. I can last up to twelve weeks and doesn't need to be taken all at once.

    Good luck!
    Donna
    Stay safe


    Elmiron Eye Disease Information Center - https://www.ic-network.com/elmiron-p...mation-center/
    Elmiron Eye Disease Fact Sheet (Downloadable) - https://www.ic-network.com/wp-conten...nFactSheet.pdf

    Have you checked the ICN Shop?
    Click on ICN Shop at the top of this page. You'll find Bladder Builder and Bladder Rest, both of which we are finding have excellent results.

    Patient Help: http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html

    Sub-types https://www.ic-network.com/five-pote...markably-well/

    Diet list: https://www.ic-network.com/interstitial-cystitis-diet/

    AUA Guidelines: https://www.ic-network.com/aua-guide...tial-cystitis/

    I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.     [3MG]

    Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Considering medical leave

      I worked at Georgia Southern University over 15 years. Of course, I was part of custodial services. Regardless, I went on medical leave twice. By the way, I had enough sick time to cover me. I did get paid. That was good. I was not on medical leave due to IC to begin with. I used to help clean the Disability Resource Center for a while. Your employer may just have to learn about the IC. (or may have by now) What do I know? I could get to bathroom easily enough as a custodian.(or not always) (and working the night shift) OK. I probably won't be helping any; therefore, that will be all now.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Considering medical leave

        I got a note from my doctor saying that I require frequent access to the washroom but I'm embarrassed to give it to my employer because I don't want them to know. But I don't know what else to do.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Considering medical leave

          Originally posted by domv View Post
          I got a note from my doctor saying that I require frequent access to the washroom but I'm embarrassed to give it to my employer because I don't want them to know. But I don't know what else to do.
          I do understand how you feel about this, but when I was working it was helpful that my supervisor was aware of my IC --- it was rarely discussed, but there was never a question about restroom access.


          Donna
          Stay safe


          Elmiron Eye Disease Information Center - https://www.ic-network.com/elmiron-p...mation-center/
          Elmiron Eye Disease Fact Sheet (Downloadable) - https://www.ic-network.com/wp-conten...nFactSheet.pdf

          Have you checked the ICN Shop?
          Click on ICN Shop at the top of this page. You'll find Bladder Builder and Bladder Rest, both of which we are finding have excellent results.

          Patient Help: http://www.ic-network.com/patientlinks.html

          Sub-types https://www.ic-network.com/five-pote...markably-well/

          Diet list: https://www.ic-network.com/interstitial-cystitis-diet/

          AUA Guidelines: https://www.ic-network.com/aua-guide...tial-cystitis/

          I am not a medical authority nor do I offer medical advice. In all cases, I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.           [3MG]

          Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Considering medical leave

            I don't enjoy IC one bit. (nope) I am still not embarrassed to admit I have got it and/or to talk about it. In fact, I want to make more people aware of it. (and have even mentioned it on my page on Facebook more than once) OK. I have not done that lately. Oh! I even wore my "I am MORE than IC!" T-shirt one week ago. OK. I would figure you went and got the note from the doctor for a reason. By the way, the ADA does state people with disabilities are supposed to be accommodated for. (and not discriminated against) Yep.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Considering medical leave

              Give them the note!!!!! Along with a printout of what IC is, as probably no one has a clue. Explain it as a cystitis infection that lasts forever and never goes away and antibiotics don't fix it. If your employer is a woman, your chances are real good she will "get it."

              It sounds like you enjoy your job and want to keep it as long as you can, and good for you! Working with books would always be a great job in any case. Let them know how much you love it, don't want to leave it, if they could just bend a little and help you out. You are certainly not asking for disability from them either, it is not job related. Make that clear that if you ever become totally disabled from this, it will be a SSD claim and not thru them. If you have been dealing with this for 5 years with no relief (sorry, haven't read your history), chances are you are still seeking relief and a good doc. These things take time away from work as well. You really need to be honest and not hide this, it surely will become an issue in the future, and if you want to keep your job, it will do good to come clean.

              Sure you would love to be out on the retail floor, but you know your limitations. You can't just say excuse me, be right back when you get that "urge," as you may not be right back. The stress of knowing you have a customer waiting for you may prolong your restroom visit. You need to explain all of this, and a printout will do you well in that aspect, as well as the doc's note (bless him!). If the move to the retail floor is a step up with pay, you may have to turn it down. This is your personal decision if you can handle it or not.

              A lot to think about definitely, but if your HR person is a woman, surely you will have better understanding. Sorry guys, but that's the facts. A man who has never experienced this would never understand. Even tho by law they are supposed to. Wish you much luck in your decision and the outcome, please keep posted. You do have many legal rights here, especially with a larger employer. Don't be afraid, be a voice for IC and stand up. You should have some kind of seniority by now, maybe there is a supervisor position in your current department. You never know until you try. Please stand strong. And do take care of yourself, number one.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Considering medical leave

                I can sure relate! I am working retail and have a hard time with the bathroom issue. I have been going hours without drinking just to be able to get through a shift (since my boss said we can't have water on the sales floor). I just got a note from my doctor so I can drink on the floor and I am giving it to her tomorrow. It doesn't help that I work with a lot of young girls so I don't want them to know. At least the main boss is older (55 or so). I have told my boss that I had some bladder issues but tomorrow she will know it in more depth with what it actually is…IC. I have just got to a point where I can't keep it quiet because it is so hard what I am going through. Yes, I will feel a bit of embarrassment but maybe they will be more understanding. I have been dealing with my symptoms 6 years now and I am worse since a surgery. I am the kind of person that likes to keep personal things private and just do a great job at work. I don't like to cross the lines. Sometimes you have to…sometimes you need some help. I hope things work out for you.

                Comment

                Previous template Next
                Working...
                X