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Posted 2/13/2012 6:14 PM (GMT -6)
 Good Evening, I lost my job of 16yrs 3 weeks ago an feel it was due to my chrons disease, has anyone else felt this way?
Posted 2/13/2012 7:56 PM (GMT -6)
Completely!

I've had a bunch of absences, and though 5 out of the 6 I was in the hospital and turned in discharge papers to my employer, because I don't have FMLA coverage, they are counted against me. I have to meet with my boss on Wednesday (this will be the second meeting) to "discuss" my attendance...and I'm about to tell her if this keeps up I'll be resigning and filing suit.

There's only so much we can control, and we do the best we can to work when we can, but for some companies or supervisors, that's not enough. I've told my boss that I do my best and the rest is out of my hands, so...what else can ya do?

I completely feel your pain. I lost a job, and though it wasn't said, my absences due to CD were really the reason for it.
Posted 2/13/2012 9:27 PM (GMT -6)
I've had a bunch of absences, and though 5 out of the 6 I was in the hospital and turned in discharge papers to my employer, because I don't have FMLA coverage, they are counted against me. I have to meet with my boss on Wednesday (this will be the second meeting) to "discuss" my attendance...and I'm about to tell her if this keeps up I'll be resigning and filing suit.

That's awful.

What a weaselly phrase that one is: "discuss your attendance". Talk about being patronising; it implies the recipient is like a naughty schoolchild who truants. I really would not blame you for resigning under that sort of treatment. You've clearly been in hospital during nearly all of your absences; what is there to discuss? Absolutely nothing, but it's easier for your employer to subtly (or not so subtly) shift the blame onto you rather than make themselves look like the 'bad guys' by making it too obvious that they simply don't want an ill employee who takes (from their POV) too many breaks from work.

@TC (Topic Creator) - I dunno your situation at all, but I feel for you too.
Posted 2/13/2012 9:42 PM (GMT -6)
@Missy, I didn't want to hijack your post, just wanted you to know you are definitely not alone :)
Posted 2/14/2012 9:29 AM (GMT -6)
THANKS FOR THE REPLIES AND I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND HAVE HAD ALL THE RIGHT PAPERS FILLED OUT, I AM A VERY GOOD WORKER AND HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO NOT LET MY DISEASE AFFECT MY JOB. I HAVE FOUND AS I GET OLDER I DO NEED TO SIT ALIITLE MORE BETWEEN DUTIES, I WORK AS A CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT AT A ASSISTED LIVING, SO AS I TAKE A BREAK I SPEND MY TIME WITH THE RESIDENTS TALKING about THE OLD DAYS. BUT I WAS REPREMENDED FOR THAT. I HAVE BEEN OFF WORK MORE SINCE ON IMMUNE SUPPRESANTS BUT WHAT DO YOU DO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON BUT I LOVED MY JOB AND NOW WITH MY EDUCATION IN HEALTH I FIND IT HARD TO WORK JUST ANYWHERE SINCE I AM OICKING UP EVERYTHING FROM RESPITORY INFECTIONS TO MRSA, I AM FILING A DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT AND HAVE SPOKE TO AN ATTORNEY TO GO OVER MY OPTIONS. MY SUPERVISOIRS HAVE MADE ME LOOK AS THOUGH I AM A TERRIBLE WORKER WITH NO RESPECT FOR THE RESIDENTS OR MY CO-WORKERS.....I SAY BULL..HOW DOSE SOMEONE LAST SIXTEEN YEARS THAT WAY ?? MY RESDIDENTS LOVE ME BUT ARE AFFRAID TO SPEAK UP , WHICH I KNOW IS HARD FOR THEM AS THEY ARE AT AN AVERAGE AGE OF APPROX 88 YRS OLD. HAVE A GOOD DAY EVERYONE.
Posted 2/14/2012 9:58 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Missy, I just wanted to let you know something similar happened to me in January. I had worked for the company for 22 years. They told me it was a reduction in force, but in reality I know it was because of my health. Because the other lady let go, also had had two cancer bouts in the past ten years, the last battle last year. Also, I had missed 4 mos in 2011 becuz of a flare, and missed the same in 2010 becuz I had had surgery on a cancerous tumor in my kidney, and that had caused me to flare too.
Plus I had always used all my sick days every year that I worked there.

I have now hired an attorney and now applying for Social Security Disability. I mean in reality I am 54 years old, with multiple health issues, who is going to hire me now? I think they would rather have someone young and healthy, than me. I am in California and at least for the next year will be on state disability until hopefully my SSDI is approved. I have lived with CD for 36 years, also have osteoarthritis, ostenopenia, fibromyalgia and various other health issues. I have worked for nearly 30 years, so I think I gave it a good shot.

Not sure if that is an option for you, but wanted to let you know you are not alone. Hugs!
Posted 2/14/2012 10:30 AM (GMT -6)
i lost my job due to continued absences throughout my time with the company. I had a long absence because i was house bound and it's been that way ever since. I wish there was a cure for all of us. Employers dont understand or sympathise as that doesn't make money and isn't productive.
Posted 2/14/2012 5:58 PM (GMT -6)
Unfortunately, I do live in a right to work state. It means that I fall through the cracks when it comes to work/health. I have not worked 1250 hours within the last 12 months, so I do not qualify for FMLA...so my absences can be counted against me. However, because of hospitalizations, I can not, or my employer will not give me enough hours to get to that point.

I plan on asking, based on ADA laws, for them to excuse absences when I have been hospitalized or in the ER. Under ADA they must make "reasonable accomodations" to employees...we'll see how that goes...
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