I think i'm about to be fired, advice please

CDC funded page

Not a CDC funded Page

Hi everyone, my name is Cindy. I will try to keep this as short as possible. I was diagnosed with epilepsy about 5 years ago after a second generalized tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal). But no, not me! I was in denial. Then I started having temporal lobe seizures (aura). Still in denial because of all the stereotype. When I had my third grand mal, I hit my head hard and had a brain bleed. Okay epilepsy, you have my attention now. I just happened to be on a 90 day unpaid leave of absence from my job to help a friend with disability 1600 miles from home. I went home after 30 days, because I had to help myself before I could help friend. My neurologist pulled my drivers licence for 6 months, no work, and put me on 1000 mg of Keppra. After 45 days and 2 more doctor appointments, I could go back to work, but couldn't drive myself the 80 miles round trip. I rode with a co-worker. Doc also increased Keppra to 2000 mg. The increase of Keppra's side effects were starting to drag me down. I barely managed to drag myself to work/home. After the 6 months Doc released my drivers licence, and increased Keppra to 3000 mg. This increased kicked my back side. The side effects became worse instead of better over time. I started an arguments with co-worker, I was either crying, angry or sleeping, I was messed up, looking back I don't know I did it. After another 3 months, My family doctor suggested I take go on short term disability until the side effects got better.He wrote me letter for work. Short term disability claim was denied from employers (Mutual of Omaha) Appeal was also denied. 60 days later: (after calling Neurologist several times a week) Neurologist finally lowered Keppra to 1500 mg, (I lowered it to 1000) he also added 600 mg of Trileptal. 30 days later I feel pretty good, I think im ready to go back to work. I contacted work, told them I was close to being able to return. Now, the main HR person from Corporate office is flying out to meet with me. I think they are going to offer an incentive to quit (buy out?) or fire me. They know I have epilepsy. Can they do that? Isn't that a bribe to quit? I have been with this company for 10 years!

Comments

My goodness your one strong

Submitted by mariet_5926de5df37df on Mon, 2017-07-03 - 10:30

My goodness your one strong cookie,I don't know how you haven't conked out just from all the stress of trying to sort all the admin side of things out. Not good that your neuro didn't seem to be listening. I'm in the UK and we have Citizen's Advice Bureaus where we can get advice and support, i.e. they can sometimes write letters on our behalf. You could do with some kind of knowledgeable support, especially to know what your options are and what arguments they might come up with so you can counter them. Is there a branch of the Epilepsy Foundation near you? Maybe its the survival method of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. If they did insist on offering you a settlement of some kind, could this be an opportunity to get something more local. Also perhaps they might accept a compromise-part-time or part-time to start with and see how you get on. Depends why they would pay you off, what worries them can you counter these worries with some learned advice/evidence?Sorry this a bit ad hoc, just thinking as I go along.Take care, Thinking of you

First of all your potential

Submitted by Roald on Tue, 2017-07-04 - 17:54

First of all your potential upcoming meeting. Pretty sure it is illegal to fire someone for a medical condition. If that is what they have in mind, it is they who should, and probably are, nervous and trying to figure out a way to let you go without themselves being fired or losing their own jobs for breaking labor laws. I know it is probably dumb to say but try to stay relaxed and don't be nervous. Next, they are going to try and sugar coat something to make it sound great and likely imply they are doing you a favor considering everything and give you a couple options to choose from. They will also make it seem like you need to make the decision there and then even if they don't specifically say it in words. Don't agree to anything, say you will need time to think about your options, and get anything they offer in writing so that you can consider a real offer and not something from your memory or some notes you take. Get it in writing from them. Also if they bring up your medical condition or allude to it in any way, ask specifically what are they talking about and specifically where they got their information. It is illegal to collect or share private medical information without written consent. You are not required to disclose you medical records to them. Do not volunteer personal medical info to them or start rambling off a story about what has been going on. Give very general and nondescript answers to any questions like how are you- good, I heard you've been having a rough time recently- I'm ok... Things like that. They may know that you applied for short term disability and may ask about that like is there something we can do to help? Tough question. Think how you might answer that one. That type of question could lead down a line a questioning into medical issues and ability to work. Could they help you reapply for or appeal your denied short term disability insurance? Not sure but probably not. Could they help you get a lawyer to appeal it? Either way take this and your notes from the meeting to a lawyer who specializes in labor law. Most lawyers will speak to you for free for an initial consultation to go over your situation and what if anything they can do for you. Then you can decide how to proceed with that issue. They will be able to give you valuable information even if you have no intention to sue them or anything like that. Don't think that all your hard work and commitment to that company for a decade is going to keep them from trying to screw you over so protect yourself and be aware of the laws that are there to protect you... there aren't many. In most states it is legal to audio record and also video record a conversation as long as 1 person is aware of the recording, you count as 1 person. Check your laws and any cellphone can do either. They are going to probably try and make you feel intimidated by the situation and by out numbering you but again it is really they who are tip-toeing through a sticky situation. They are practiced at hiding nervousness but you will be able to see it on them if you look for it. I think it is also important to think about what is it that would be your 1st preferred choice for what you want without thinking about these other things. Do you want to stay,do you need a break,do you want to get into a different working environment etc?

First of all your potential upcoming meeting. Pretty sure it is illegal to fire someone for a medical condition. If that is what they have in mind, it is they who should, and probably are, nervous and trying to figure out a way to let you go without themselves being fired or losing their own jobs for breaking labor laws. I know it is probably dumb to say but try to stay relaxed and don't be nervous. Next, they are going to try and sugar coat something to make it sound great and likely imply they are doing you a favor considering everything and give you a couple options to choose from. They will also make it seem like you need to make the decision there and then even if they don't specifically say it in words. Don't agree to anything, say you will need time to think about your options, and get anything they offer in writing so that you can consider a real offer and not something from your memory or some notes you take. Get it in writing from them. Also if they bring up your medical condition or allude to it in any way, ask specifically what are they talking about and specifically where they got their information. It is illegal to collect or share private medical information without written consent. You are not required to disclose you medical records to them. Do not volunteer personal medical info to them or start rambling off a story about what has  been going on. Give very general and nondescript answers to any questions like how are you- good, I heard you've been having a rough time recently- I'm ok... Things like that. They may know that you applied for short term disability and may ask about that like is there something we can do to help? Tough question. Think how you might answer that one. That type of question could lead down a line a questioning into medical issues and ability to work. Could they help you reapply for or appeal your denied short term disability insurance? Not sure but probably not. Could they help  you get a lawyer to appeal it? Either way take this and your notes from the meeting to a lawyer who specializes in labor law. Most lawyers will speak to you for free for an initial consultation to go over your situation and what if anything they can do for you. Then you can decide how to proceed with that issue. They will be able to give you valuable information even if you  have no intention to sue them or anything like that. Don't think that all your hard work and commitment to that company for a decade is going to keep them from trying to screw you over so protect yourself and be aware of the laws that are there to protect you... there aren't many. In most states it is legal to audio record and also video record a conversation as long as 1 person is aware of the recording, you count as 1 person. Check your laws and any cellphone can do either. They are going to probably try and make you feel intimidated by the situation and by out numbering you but again it is really they who are tip-toeing through a sticky situation. They are practiced at hiding nervousness but you will be able to see it on them if you look for it. I think it is also important to think about what is it that would be your 1st preferred choice for what you want without thinking about these other things. Do you want to stay,do you need a break,do you want to get into a different working environment etc?

First of all your potential upcoming meeting. Pretty sure it is illegal to fire someone for a medical condition. If that is what they have in mind, it is they who should, and probably are, nervous and trying to figure out a way to let you go without themselves being fired or losing their own jobs for breaking labor laws. I know it is probably dumb to say but try to stay relaxed and don't be nervous. Next, they are going to try and sugar coat something to make it sound great and likely imply they are doing you a favor considering everything and give you a couple options to choose from. They will also make it seem like you need to make the decision there and then even if they don't specifically say it in words. Don't agree to anything, say you will need time to think about your options, and get anything they offer in writing so that you can consider a real offer and not something from your memory or some notes you take. Get it in writing from them. Also if they bring up your medical condition or allude to it in any way, ask specifically what are they talking about and specifically where they got their information. It is illegal to collect or share private medical information without written consent. You are not required to disclose you medical records to them. Do not volunteer personal medical info to them or start rambling off a story about what has been going on. Give very general and nondescript answers to any questions like how are you- good, I heard you've been having a rough time recently- I'm ok... Things like that. They may know that you applied for short term disability and may ask about that like is there something we can do to help? Tough question. Think how you might answer that one. That type of question could lead down a line a questioning into medical issues and ability to work. Could they help you reapply for or appeal your denied short term disability insurance? Not sure but probably not. Could they help you get a lawyer to appeal it? Either way take this and your notes from the meeting to a lawyer who specializes in labor law. Most lawyers will speak to you for free for an initial consultation to go over your situation and what if anything they can do for you. Then you can decide how to proceed with that issue. They will be able to give you valuable information even if you have no intention to sue them or anything like that. Don't think that all your hard work and commitment to that company for a decade is going to keep them from trying to screw you over so protect yourself and be aware of the laws that are there to protect you... there aren't many. In most states it is legal to audio record and also video record a conversation as long as 1 person is aware of the recording, you count as 1 person. Check your laws and any cellphone can do either. They are going to probably try and make you feel intimidated by the situation and by out numbering you but again it is really they who are tip-toeing through a sticky situation. They are practiced at hiding nervousness but you will be able to see it on them if you look for it. I think it is also important to think about what is it that would be your 1st preferred choice for what you want without thinking about these other things. Do you want to stay,do you need a break,do you want to get into a different working environment etc?

Company I was with fired a

Submitted by Chris P. on Fri, 2017-07-07 - 13:01

Company I was with fired a long time employee in the middle of his cancer treatments.That's why no one I work with or for is ever told about my condition.