New - Seizures Returned
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UPDATED: Sun, 11/16/2008 - 8:01am
acswenson
Discrimination in the workforce
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I'm currently working in a small store until I graduate in May with my degree. However, the other day I was not feeling well and had already had three seizures in two weeks and was preparing for another one. When I went into work, my boss called in someone else to be with me so he could leave to go to the doctor's. Suffice it to say, this individual who came in ended not listening to me when I said I was having a "rough day" (they know I have epilepsy) and instead made me do everything she is supposed to (including denying me a break despite working for six hours). I ended up having a seizure (which she did not witness) and then after I informed her I didn't want to work with her, she got in my face and screamed at me in front of some customers. Long story short (after cleaning the entire store and the bathrooms), the next day she said I have been lying about having epilepsy and that I am just lazy (which is funny because I have always been given stellar reviews for doing some such a good job to the best of my abilities). Again, she screamed at me and got in my face as I said nothing. She then told me that I either need to resign or I'm going to be fired, that I am going to be doing all of the cleaning from now on, no breaks, etc. I informed her that this is a violation and she essentially said "tough" and that I am just "lying because you're just lazy."
I'm going to be getting my medical records tomorrow since they are considering letting me go on account of my health (I'll admit, I am very stressed right now what with moving, being a full time student at university, work, and some other things), but when I looked up the laws covering those with disabilities, they are in violation (especially if they fire me).
My question is: what should I do? I'm going to talk with my boss today, but I realized in the last forty-eight hours that this environment is what has been causing the seizures; it stresses me out and I don't feel I have adequate safety (and I am one to push myself beyond my limits). I don't like using the "I have epilepsy" card, but this is something I cannot stand for especially when the individual making the accusation never does anything and has left me at work for hours at a time by myself (which violates their laws).
Is this worth fighting if it even can be fought? And how would I go about doing that? Should I contact my counselor through Rehabilitation Services for help?
By acswenson at Sun, 11/16/2008 - 8:01am | 40 views | 3 comments
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Recent Comments on this Discussion
Hello
Welcome to the real world. People really Stink (being G Rated Here) I know as a Post Surgery Epilepic. I haven't had a seizure (but I still have seizure activity) Meds keep me in Check. I have a real bad short term memory loss problem. And I get greif all the time in work....My Operations Manager is a jerk. Has no sympathy (not that I want it I just want understanding). I work in a power plant not alone and I'm the bottom guy on the chain of events my position is to check and make sure nothing is wrong that all pumps, valves and equipment is working correctly. If i come across a problem I bring it to my Shift Supervisor. I am told that I"m an outstanding, hard worker. Any job they give me I do no Questions asked...But we have to do Evaluations of systems... It gets complicated. But this requires you to memorize aspects of these systems.. OK to break it down..our water system. we take well water and make it into demineralized water...we take out all the minerals in the water through a process...Which I have all Written down and when I need to make the demineralized water I will take out my sheets of paper and do it....Well thats not good enough...I should memorize it....We I explain that I have short term memory loss....He looks at me Like i have 5 heads....I wish (but i really don't want anyone else to go thru this) but I do wish He had someone like this in his family I think if everyone in managment had to go through training and had to deal with a disability maybe then and only then would they understand what we go though..I"m 53 years old and I don't need this greif... I worked at a hospital for 15 years before taking this job...At the hospital i was once written up for being Drunk....The head nurse said she came in and saw me lying on the floor with beer cans all over the place???? I don't and haven't drank since i was a kid well after they called me up I said to the Human resorces director Lets go to the lab and get blood drawn...he (and the head nurse) recanted their story...And I wasn't fired.. Chalk one up for me.... But I moved and got a job in the power industry..I have been working here for 9 years....no problems except for the memory issue...As I said I"m getting frustrated and looking to move on Kind of stinks I"m 53 and starting over isn't something I want but whats a guy to do???? Well Good luck and hopefully someone out there can help change our laws to protect us from ignorant people....Good Luck happy new year and Bless you all Barry
laura x, is right. you do have rights. document everything that happens to you, date time, what is said. quote if you can. the working straight thru is against most state work laws period. if the boss gets in a wrong attitude with you politely ask for the number to the eeoc. equal employment opprotunity commision. most places are required to keep a poster up with all of the informati on on it. it may help just by asking for it. if needed, explore your rights and deceide what action is best for you and your situation. don't feel bad for have seizures. you are working with a person that has a thumping gizzard instead of heart. hope it helps. rikk
I know exactly how you feel. I work as a pharmacist, and before I completed my registration I had to prove my epilepsy was going to be controlled. Because I have never hidden the fact that I have epilepsy (and other professionals have), my medication is going to be used against me (because of the fact that some AEDs give rise to depression)-in fact a member of a professional body has questioned my fitness-to-practice and my epilepsy status was raised. As far as the law is concerned, epilepsy is considered to be a "disability".
This classifies you as "a person living with a disability". To ask inappropriate questions is AGAINST THE LAW. In other words "discrimination against someone living with a disability".
For your boss to raise the issue of your epilepsy is controversial. If you go and talk with him, have an INDEPENDENT witness present i.e. NOT someone you work with, who can vouch that you were compliant and not aggressive, and if he asks you about your epilepsy then they can vouch for it too.
Your boss will be violating a few laws put into place to protect people like us living with disabilities if he questions your ability to work just because of your epilepsy. My advice-get a lawyer. This is essentially harassment. You were honest with them-and maybe that's why they feel they have an advantage, a trump card. However it works against them as it is YOUR trump card. Unless you have had seizures at work, thereby putting others at risk, they cannot touch you.
You go girl-get your attorney suited and booted. Women have always been discriminated at work because of their sex, now as a women with epilepsy I can confirm that the harassment is MUCH WORSE.
Take them to town-show them what we can do!!!
Laura x