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Missing Work-Legal Issues

Fri, 11/03/2006 - 11:24
Topic: Epilepsy.com Help
I have been missing quite a bit of work this year between all of my pre-surgical testing and from being ill with so many seizures also. We all know it is impossible to pre-schedule your days off from work as far as when these are going to occur. I even tried to get them to cut my hours back temporarily until my surgery but to no avail (I usually work 45 to 47 hours per week unless I get sick). Does anyone know where I could find out information regarding am I protected by any laws such as the EOE (equal oppotunity employment), etc.? I currently live in Georgia (USA) and have worked for this company for over 7 years but would hate for them to be able suddenly drop me because of time missed or not being able to stay late enough for them every day. Anything would be a great help. Thanks !!! ;-)

Comments

Re: Missing Work-Legal Issues

Submitted by fzMousie on Fri, 2006-11-03 - 11:47

check www.laborlawtalk.com, http://research.lawyers.com/Georgia/Employment-Law-in-Georgia.html and http://www.dol.state.ga.us I know that where I live I am protected under the labour laws for the time I take off for my appointments. However, to keep a good reputation and a positive reference, I sat down and discussed everything with my boss and put forth the suggestion that since I am a contract employee paid hourly, they should only pay me for the hours I work. It had become impossible to make up the hours, and trying to do so was negatively affecting my health.

check www.laborlawtalk.com, http://research.lawyers.com/Georgia/Employment-Law-in-Georgia.html and http://www.dol.state.ga.us I know that where I live I am protected under the labour laws for the time I take off for my appointments. However, to keep a good reputation and a positive reference, I sat down and discussed everything with my boss and put forth the suggestion that since I am a contract employee paid hourly, they should only pay me for the hours I work. It had become impossible to make up the hours, and trying to do so was negatively affecting my health.

Re: Re: Missing Work-Legal Issues

Submitted by dmh on Fri, 2006-11-03 - 12:24
Thanks for all of the references. I am also an hourly employee and didn't really start missing so much time until this year. We also have a new manager since when I started working for the company. I tried even getting them to cut me back to 8-4 for the time being and they refused and said I must work from 9-5:30 because they needed me here at the busiest time of the day (which was exactly why I was trying to temporarily cut my hours back because of my health deteriorating and I have been so tired and exhausted from the medication and the hours I work). Thanks Again, Dawn

Re: Missing Work-Legal Issues

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2006-11-19 - 07:53
Check out the Family and Medical Leave Act as well as disability policies. If you don't have enough sick days or earned time (pending what your employer calls time off), people may be able to apply for temporary leave for family issues and medical needs, versus looking at short-term disability. People undergoing surgical work-ups and surgery itself often need to think about this, or long-term disability through social security if their employer doesn't offer short-term disability.

This is one of the practical parts of a surgical work-up that everyone should talk about with the surgical team. Need to get a timeline for expected time out of work, when may be able to return (which will vary depending on type of job as well as type and location of surgery being considered). Then talk to a social worker about resources available and how to navigate the red tape!

Epilepsy centers in the US at least should have access to a social worker to help in this area. If not, ask to talk to the nurse and pose all these questions! Good luck!

Epi_help

This is one of the practical parts of a surgical work-up that everyone should talk about with the surgical team. Need to get a timeline for expected time out of work, when may be able to return (which will vary depending on type of job as well as type and location of surgery being considered). Then talk to a social worker about resources available and how to navigate the red tape!

Epilepsy centers in the US at least should have access to a social worker to help in this area. If not, ask to talk to the nurse and pose all these questions! Good luck!

Epi_help

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