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Author Topic: I need advice on my job!!!!!!  (Read 8889 times)

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Offline Afraid

  • Member
  • Posts: 39
I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« on: July 16, 2007, 05:37:09 pm »
OK, this is my situation and any advice will help.

I left my previous job that I was with when I was diagnosed..
So I took a job with another company which pays a Lil better. However there attendance policy is so strict, and I haven't been to see my Id doctor since I started there. I started my job in may. I have a appointment in August to see my Id doctor, and I sent my Supervisor  email asking for the day off. without telling her my diagnoses, and she sent me a email saying that I cannot have that day off because I am still in training.

I am scared because I am not even sure if my meds have built resistance or what my #'s are looking like. I just take my meds in the morning not even sure if they are working.

Does anyone have any advice suggestions, on what I might can do about this situation.

I was thinking about giving my two weeks notice the only thing that's keeping me there is the health insurance.

Thanks,
Camry

Offline Queen Tokelove

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  • Posts: 6,031
  • Smokey the Smurf
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2007, 07:46:26 pm »
Cam,

That is a bit of a tricky one. How long is your training for? Can you reschedule your ID doc appointment? I would hate to see you quit a job that pays well because your Supervisor doesn't want to let you take the day off. In defense of the Supervisor, she prolly thinks you are trying to blow off work. I have seen people use a doctor's appointment to get out of work when there actually was no appointment. I wish I had more insight for you. Maybe someone else will come along with a better idea of what to do....
Started Atripla/Ziagen on 9/13/07.
10/31/07 CD4-265 VL- undetectable
2/6/08 CD4- 401 VL- undetectable
5/7/08 CD4- 705 VL- undetectable
6/4/08 CD4- 775 VL- undetectable
8/6/08 CD4- 805 VL- undetectable
11/13/08 CD4- 774 VL--undetectable
2/4/09  CD4- 484  VL- 18,000 (2 months off meds)
3/3/09---Starting Back on Meds---
4/27/09 CD4- 664 VL-- undetectable
6/17/09 CD4- 438 VL- 439
8/09 CD4- 404 VL- 1,600
01-22-10-- CD4- 525 VL- 59,000
Cherish the simple things life has to offer

Offline BT65

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Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2007, 08:51:21 pm »
Hey Cam:
  Wish I had some better advice, but I agree with Queen.  See about rescheduling your doctor's appointment.  If this job is good paying and has good insurance, I wouldn't want to lose it.  Let us know how it turns out.
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Offline emeraldize

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,397
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2007, 08:55:15 pm »
Hi Camry

What a great name!

My first question is---does your doc have any night-time clinic hours? Or, any extremely early morning hours? Explain the situation to your doc's office FIRST and find out how they can accommodate you.

Or, find out when training ends, and reschedule your doc's appointment to occur after it ends. The employment part of this equation is important to keep intact it seems.

So, calm down. Ask a lot of questions. Find out who's most flexible and come up with a new plan.

Worst case? Switch docs to get access to a night clinic -- my clinic has one to two nights for folks who can't come any other time. Absolutely worst case? Change jobs. However, I caution you not to put this in the hopper of ideas. It doesn't sound warrranted -- too soon -- get trained and get settled -- you probably don't even know the company/job well enough to know if you like it or not.

Keep us informed, will you?
« Last Edit: July 16, 2007, 08:58:15 pm by emeraldize »

Offline zachysmom

  • Member
  • Posts: 112
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2007, 10:08:06 pm »
Okay  what kind of insurance do you have?
Is it possible to do your labs on a Saturday and have your doc email or call you with the results?
I am fortunate enough to have Kaiser and my I.D doc will do a phone appt if I can't make it in to see her. However I used to have county health care, and phone appt weren't the norm, but she was so cool, that she would go the extra mile if it were really neccesary.
So talk with the doc or receptionist at the clinic and see if you can get the result by phone or email, and maybe ask some questions that way.
 
As far as the job, Health is really important, and I think there are laws against not allowing employees the right to a doc appt, training or not. I would check into it with your local employment agency.
Good luck and keep us posted
Nicole
From Russia with love,
Nicole

Offline cjc

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  • Sweet Girl
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2007, 07:56:18 am »
Hello, Camry. I know absolutly nothing about this kind of thing but I am hoping that everything works out for you. The other ladies had some really great advice. Best of luck.  Cristy

Offline CallingAllAngels

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  • Posts: 14
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2007, 01:44:36 pm »
Here's another situation: explain to your supervisor (again, and respectfully, of course) that you really do need to attend that doctor's appointment, and that you realize you're in training, which makes booking time off difficult. Perhaps offer to bring in a signed doctor's note for your sup, and offer to make up the training day, or offer to work overtime a few nights until you've made it up. Either way, you SHOULD be able to get the day off for a genuine medical reason, or explain to your sup that if you can't take it as a vacation day, you'll need to take it as a sick day.

I just started a job that has policies VERY similar to yours, and it seems that the concern sups have is people taking time off when they legitimately don't need it. That tends to tick them off. If you DO need it, depending on where you live, legally, you're entitled to go to that appt.

The advice others have given about re-scheduling the appt is great, though, and I'd only do what I suggested if that appt was rock-solidly written in stone.

Offline Coffeechick88

  • Member
  • Posts: 431
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2007, 02:47:04 pm »
I would first try what CallingAllAngels said.  I have been a supervisor before and I had to deal with many people blowing off work saying it was a doctor's appointment or they were sick and it was not a legitimate excuse.  One person I actually caught:  she was supposedly sick with the flu.  That day, I had an early day due to my own HIV doctor's appointment and afterwards, I went shopping, and who did I run in to but that employee.  That supervisor is trying to avoid the same thing.  I would highly doubt that they can actually prevent you from taking that day off if the appointment is legitimate.  Most places I've been to, even those with strict policies are willing to work with you if you have a legitimate concern.  I would try again and explain that you have a chronic health condition and you really need this appointment.  You don't have to say what it is for, but as she said, offer to make it up, work extra, bring in a doctor's note:  anything.  I would think as long as you did it respectfully and you made it clear you wouldn't try to blow it off without just cause, that the supervisor would make a way to work with you.  Those policies usually are strict to avoid people taking unnecessary time off, usually they won't try to give you crap for something like this.  I think legally they can't prevent you from getting to your doctor's appointments, but don't quote me on that.  Or you could even talk to HR about the policies as well.   I think that trying again would be preferable, because let's face it--it isn't always possible to reschedule an appointment really soon, especially if the doctor has inconvenient hours or is one of those with a busy practise where it is booked constantly.
Lucas James is here
Born 6-14-08 at 1233 am
8 lbs 14 oz, 22 in long

Offline Afraid

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  • Posts: 39
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2007, 08:15:19 pm »
OK I got more information!

I called Hr and they told me that I didn't qualify for employee medical leave because I have not been at the job for a year yet, However he said that I can go out on short term disability, and that would have to be for consecutive days, and would have to be approved. " I can use a vacation ;D" So I went to see my primary care physician today and he said that he would take me out for as long as I needed. he also put me on Paxil, and Xanax for depression and Anxiety. So I have until the 31st to decide what I want to do because that's when I have to go back and see my pcp doctor.

I just need advice from you all, like if you were in my shoes what would you do. I have prayed on it. and I am deciding to walk out on faith.

My pcp doctor even expressed to me how important it was for me to get my labs done. he said that he would do anything to help me.

I think he feels pity for me, because of the way I contracted the virus.
and he knows that I have been dealing with depression all my life, and I think that he might feel like I need the time off also just to reflect on me, because honestly ladies, lately I have been living in a bubble of my own.
I wear a different mask everyday. One minute I am smiling then I am crying the next.

I am hoping that the paxil and Xanax helps me.

Hope to hear from you all....
Camry :'(


Offline naftalim

  • Member
  • Posts: 102
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2007, 11:46:40 pm »
Having run companies and dealt with HR issues, I think you need to handle this situation in an open and comprehensive manner, or it will bite you next time. As a Manager, I would prefer that an employee gives me a heads up about their situation, and to come up with a game plan that satisfies the individual and the company needs then to have to deal with this on an as it comes up basis.

Lets assume that there was an employee who had asthma, and had occaisonal Doctors visits. Would the company refuse them the opportunity? Of course not, especially if they were made aware of this matter and the employee worked wth their managers to ensure that they were contributing and part of the team. Now with HIV, there is obviously a delicate situation, but employers are obligated to respect employee confidentiality in medical issues.

So, if there is an HR Manager in the company, I would suggest asking for a meeting, bring your doctors note indicating that you are being treated and that you require x frequency of visits. aA for a direct manager, thats a delicate issue, probably best to consult with HR as to what they recommend. If there is no HR. then you should discuss this with your Manager.

If you deal with this upfront you wont be all stressed out every time you have an appointment and there wont be suspicion about your absences and commitment.

Now having said all of the above, if you are super uncomfortable about any disclosure at all, then you might have make a go of it, but look for another environment that has more flexibility.

Offline emeraldize

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,397
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2007, 08:22:13 pm »
Hi Camry

We're interested in knowing how you're doing and how you decided to move forward on this doctor's appointment issue.

When you get a chance and if you feel inclined, I hope you'll let us know.

Em

Offline Afraid

  • Member
  • Posts: 39
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2007, 06:21:20 pm »
Hello All,

I contacted Hr, and they put me through to the Short Term Dis department. they told me that I qualify however it's not protected...which is cool. I am still very nervous and really don't know what to do..because I know that they will;; be giving my status, and I work for my health Insurance company. I just feel like I am dealing with a double headed sword..at the end of the day my health comes first, and I know, and hope that they wouldn't let my status come out in fear of a law suit. I go see my pcp on the 31st, and he's going to start all the paper work for me to get out it's that's what I still decide.

I will keep you all posted and thank you all so much for the support.

Offline Darknessfalls

  • Member
  • Posts: 10
Re: I need advice on my job!!!!!!
« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2007, 06:38:24 pm »
hello, can you ask your Doctor to give you a note for work without telling is an id doc?
work something out with your boss, can you make up those hours another day?
Hoshiko

 


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