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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/28/2011 8:02 PM (GMT -5)
I have finally gotten into a routine that keeps me healthy.  As long as I get up or go to bed at the same time, eat at the sametimes, take my meds at the sametimes etc. I stay healthy.

Well at work I have been working the earlier shift 5:30 am to 2:00 pm for 3-4 years now.  And because of that schedule I have been doing much better.  But today I was notified that one person complained about my schedule and they are now changing it to 6:30 to 3:00.  I know its not much, but any change just throws me for a loop.

I am sooo upset right now.  Already the stress has caused me to start throwing up and having diarrhea.  I need you guys help in how to explain to my boss how changes like this affect someone with Crohns.  Also, any HR folks, could I go to HR and complain about this change.  I am just a mess right now.  I finally get to a good place, and bam a wrench is thrown into my world.

Please offer any advice you may have. 

Thanks

Gail*Nanners*

Posted 2/28/2011 8:15 PM (GMT -5)
Nanners, I don't work so can't offer you advice, but I do send you lots of sympathy. That's hard.
Posted 2/28/2011 8:21 PM (GMT -5)
Nanners, is your boss aware of your crohn's disease? I would have a conversation with your boss first and explain why the hours are neccessary for your health and tell him that you are not missing any of your responsibilities. If that doe snot work, I would talk to HR about ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Jobs are supposed to make reasonable accomodations for employes. Goodluck, i'm hopeful that once you explain the situation, things will be ok.
Posted 2/28/2011 8:22 PM (GMT -5)
I have no suggestions...but only (((((((((((((((nanners))))))))))))))))))
Honestly, it kinda makes me mad on your behalf...one person whines, complains, without knowing the whole story, and you pay the price...grrrrrr

My only thoughts are can you talk to your boss or HR? will they listen if you explain what you just said to us? Someone to kinda tell the complaining jerk that it is an ADA matter and to MYOB? (yeah, again, angry for you on your behalf, cuz it really shouldn't matter)
Posted 2/28/2011 8:26 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the kind thoughts guys. kr13is, yes they are aware of the Crohns, as I have actually had my worst years with this disease while at this company. Your post has also given me some tools to use. You are right that we are covered under ADA and if they will not work with me, then I will take your suggestion and call HR. I finally found something that works for me, and this is just miserable for me. Thank you again for your advice. Welcome to Healingwell by the way. Sounds like you are going to be a good addition to the forum. Hugs!
Posted 2/28/2011 8:31 PM (GMT -5)

for me when I worked at casino, I had dr letter about my cd, how a day shift is better for me. for my bodies regulation. they didn't care, it was all about senority. toook me 2 years to get noon to 8pm. thats what I wanted. good luck

AG

Posted 2/28/2011 10:56 PM (GMT -5)
Sorry to hear that Nanners! I've had a similar situation and it really stinks when people have to stir the pot for others...if they only knew what we go through to GET TO WORK!

I hope they readjust your schedule!
Posted 3/1/2011 5:32 AM (GMT -5)
Yeah the ADA may be a good idea to throw out there, but then again, you may have to get some sort of disability proof?

My managers are great.  It is the complainer who stinks for you.  I am afraid HR may be hard pressed because it looks like you get special treatment.  Knowing what kind of company and how big it is would further help with in thinking about advice. 

Can you address the complainer?

Posted 3/1/2011 7:03 AM (GMT -5)
Nanners, I wish I could offer you advice.  But having troubles with coworkers not understanding is one reason why I now work for myself.  it looks like some others have given some good advice.   I really hope you can get this worked out and quickly.  ((HUGS))

Tanya

Posted 3/1/2011 7:52 AM (GMT -5)
I couldn't sleep last night and one thing that kept going through my mind was your issue. Why on earth should this complainers needs be more important than yours. Without bringing in the Disability issues. This seems to be a clear case of one persons getting to say "hey not fair" and everyone jumping. What would happen if you said "hey not fair", would everyone jump back the other way? I guess my question is why is your boss putting more weight on this persons feelings than yours? My husband is the boss and I know that his first instinct would probably be to try to keep peace. Knowing how kind you are to all of us here, I can only assume that is your demeanor at work. Maybe your boss just thought it wouldn't be a big deal to you but obviously it was to the complainer, so lets just switch it up and keep the peace. Once he understands what it really means to you, things might just work out better.

Perhaps your boss was just trying to get the complainer off his back and didn't really understand how much of an issue this really is for you. Maybe the complainer is ALWAYS complaining about things the boss has no control over, and finally he saw a chance to do something that would give him some breathing room. Clearly he picked the wrong issue.

Its not right and you should absolutely not stand for it, but getting to why one person's complaint is valued more than another's long term working situation might help figure out where your boss's head was at and get things settled in a calmer way.
Posted 3/1/2011 8:45 AM (GMT -5)
Yup. Agree with Zanne. Your boss should have had a backbone. But since he didn't, maybe he'll change his mind to your side if you explain to him that this might cause you to miss work unnecessarily if you get too sick.
Otherwise, you might have to go the HR or ADA route.

On the other hand, your stress isn't doing any good. If they made you come in earlier instead of later, that would probably be even worse (unless you are an early bird ;-).
If you end up having to change, then think that the extra hour of sleep will do you good or, if awake, maybe you can spend that extra hour relaxing somehow. Hopefully it won't disrupt too much.

Good luck.
Posted 3/1/2011 9:13 AM (GMT -5)
(((HUGS))) Just wanted to tell you that you have my support. I can't believe they changed your hours over someone else complaining. What the heck does that person care about your hours??? And the way they changed them - though it has a HUGE impact on YOU - is ABSURD. I mean honestly - the difference between 5:30-2 and 6-3 is enough to shut up the complainer? REALLY? Oh I would love to slap that person.

Anyway, I agree with everyone else - you are protected under the ADA and you need to throw out a few buzz words to your boss. I would contact your boss AND human resources. Cover yourself at all angles necessary. And try not to let this throw you for a loop. They'll fix it. They have to.

Hang in there! And keep us posted!
Posted 3/1/2011 9:14 AM (GMT -5)

I'll say this, an extra hr for a cd person in the morning is HUGE, majorally huge. generally people who complain are the ones, that might have more senority, I had huge problem with this at work, the people who had more senority, could not stand that I could call in sick, I would say(gave up after while), you people don't have cd. They still didn't care. Thats how people are with no medical condition. Most aren't very compasionate.

AG

Posted 3/1/2011 9:25 AM (GMT -5)
I have more senority than this person! I am going to speak with my boss again. As I was up all night throwing up and pooping pure water because of the stress this has caused me. Thank you for your kind thoughts all. Hugs!
Posted 3/1/2011 9:37 AM (GMT -5)
Also, I just realized, with all this stress and now the new symptoms, your immunity might be down too. Is it possible you picked up a bug on vacation or on the plane ride home?
Please take care of yourself. ((((((Nanners)))))).
Posted 3/1/2011 9:50 AM (GMT -5)
NO Roni, its plain and simple stress. I had to take alot of meds lastnight to try to calm it down. I took my night meds, and immediately threw them right back up. Had to take another dose, as I threw them up within 2-3 minutes. Thanks for you the hugs!
Posted 3/1/2011 10:03 AM (GMT -5)
Sending you hugs!!!! I know the stress is not a good thing. I hope speaking to the boss again will set things straight for you. It is simply wrong and if you need to pull out the buzz words and stomp them all over his head then so be it! We will be there right with you in spirit. Go Get Him Girl!!!!
Posted 3/1/2011 10:55 AM (GMT -5)
When I worked I was in retail and was not able to have a routine shift. At the beginning I did, but then they cracked down on the rules and so they were all over the place instead of the 8-5 I had because of school. Then since things were so stressful with management and my gut issues (and being pregnant on top of it), they put me on probation. No matter how many drs notes or word throwing ADAs or hr visits, they wouldn't budge. So a month later I went on maternity leave early because the stress was not doing me any good, and especially for my baby. Then when I came back I was part time and could mostly choose my own schedule. Then they started switching things up again and I had enough, so I quit.

I guess my advice to you would be to talk to them about how this will affect you, and if they won't change your schedule back then they should be prepared for sick days until you can get adjusted, probably even have a drs note backing that up. Good luck, dealing with work issues can be difficult.
Posted 3/1/2011 1:33 PM (GMT -5)
Sorry for your troubles, Nanners. I hope this will get resolved ASAP. Let us know how it goes.
Praying for you.
Posted 3/1/2011 2:47 PM (GMT -5)
nanners, step back from the panic button! ;-)

Can you share more about what kind of work you're doing and why someone on your team thinks your hours make his/her job harder? In this day and age of telecommuniting, there might be a creative solution that makes everyone happy.

In my work we are allowed to flex our time, but there are certainly expectations that if you are needed in a face-to-face meeting, or to talk to the team, or to respond to e-mail/phone calls btwn 9 & 5, then you should adjust accordingly. I have taken plenty of meetings in my pjs from my home office.
Posted 3/1/2011 3:06 PM (GMT -5)
Nanners,
I am sorry that you are having such a hard time and I believe that this is a situation that should be able to resolved through compromising. When you speak to your boss, I would bring a doctor's note stating that sudden changes in scheduling can wreak havoc on your disease and your ability to perform your work duties. Give a copy to your manager and to your H.R. department. Your H.R. department will be the one that has the ability to bypass any complaints and accommodate your situation.
In a compromise, I would explain that the hour difference was too big of a schedule adjustment to do at once and that you need to slowly adjust. I would suggest going back to your old schedule for a week or two and then adding 30 minutes after a couple weeks. Eventually, in a month or so, you will be at the schedule that they wanted to change to but your body will be conditioned to it. In the process of conditioning your body to the change, if you have too many problems I would report them immediately to H.R. and request to stay at your old schedule. This way, you will have shown that you were willing to try and compromise even if you were unable to make the change.
Posted 3/1/2011 3:46 PM (GMT -5)
Poor you Nanners, stress is a killer isn't it. I wish I had some wonderful words of wisdom, but sadly I
don't. I could tell you not to worry, but that wouldn't work for me either. So all I can offer my friend is
my support along with everyone else.

Thinking of you (((hugs))) for a very special lady!!
Posted 3/1/2011 4:40 PM (GMT -5)
Nanners,

I am always so proud to be a friend of yours and to see how many of the members support and care for you. smhair

Well, I am bringing up the end here and I would love to come and swat your boss and the person that complained re your hours up aside their heads.

I understand how you have to stick to your schedule and the consquences so I am sending you warm hugs.

Now, are you able to make an appointment with your boss to discuss this situation with him ? If only one person has complained is he about to let them drive the bus and tell him what he has to do to keep this one employee happy.  If he does he is not boss material.  Who's the boss ??

Try to sit down with him, point out your work record and the value you have brought to the job but explain to him this change in hours could be detrimental to your health. One of the most common forms of discrimination in the workplace is related to medical conditions. There are many federal laws that are in place that protect employees from medical discrimination.


Also talk with HR and if that does not get you any help, talk with your bosses superior.

You know you can pop into the Anxiety Forum any time you want as we have lots of caring and support to share with you.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 3/1/2011 7:35 PM (GMT -5)
I've been thinking about you and how you made out today. Hope it all went well. ((((HUGS))))
Posted 3/1/2011 11:45 PM (GMT -5)
I completely understand Nanners about being thrown off your schedule...I hope you are able to come to a resolution with your boss about this situation (((((HUGS)))))) in the meantime, try and stay positive, afterall, you battle CD every day, you can battle through this too!
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