Boss adamant-no more than 3wks off

I hope every day is getting a little better for you. I thought I had a crappy boss, but yours beats all!! I'm sure what he is doing is illegal, but I also know how it is to NEED your job and NEED the paycheck. I have put off having surgery for a couple of years now because I just could not afford to be out of work. We literally live paycheck to paycheck, nothing in savings, no family to help out, an extremely non-understanding landlord, and simply could not survive without my pay for a month. (Well, ok, we would survive, but probably be homeless) LOL. The sad thing is, I hope you don't end up with more problems in the long run because of this. I hope you feel better soon, physically and emotionally, and i hope that you someday have the satisfaction of telling him to kiss off!!!

Wendy

Hi! I am new here, not scheduled for surgery until end of April. I am having a TAH and ovary removal. I just started working at a new place Dec 1st, and only have 2 weeks time off that I can take and get paid for. I cannot afford to take unpaid time, and was planning on returning to work iwhen that 2 weeks is up. I am a very high energy person, and my doc said if I can show up at my post op appt 14 days after surg with a smile on my face he'll let me return to work. I haven't met the second surgeon yet - I meet w/ her March 15. I hope she agrees. I will be alone post op, and was relieved to read that stairs weren't an issue post op. I live alone and have stairs to get to the bed or bathroom. I plan to cook meals ahead, so I don't have to think about that aspect. But from what I've just been reading, it sounds like I may be in for a little more recovery time than what I was planning on or really feel like I can take. I'll keep reading. I have many concerns about the upcoming surgery, and am wondering if I can postpone it further, maybe by taking a med called Danazol. I took it years ago with fair results. Maybe i just have pre-op jitters -I sooo hate surgery!
ReeRee1228

Hope you're still hanging on. The ice is a good suggestion for swelly belly. Maybe it's a good idea to really push the work from home issue. You could go to work maybe just a couple hours and then have someone load up the rest in your car. That gives you the rest of the day to work on it as you are able. Next next morning take the finished work. It doesn't seem that difficult to me.

I was going to do that for where I work, but legally they can't let me do that until released by my doctor. I work for a large company, so it's kind of forced me to rest and take care of myself right now. After reading the issues you've had, I really count my blessings.

I am having pains in my right side today. I was fine last night. I woke up this morning and was hurting. I didn't do very much yesterday evening. Just watched tv and laid on the bed with the laptop. It's a sharp shooting pain. Then sometimes it goes away if I sit still for a long time. Other times it feels like a burning sensation. Any ideas?

I saw my Gyn on the 8th. He said I wouldn't be released to drive until the 15th. He also said he wouldn't release me to return to work. He said we would discuss going back to work on the 22nd when I go for my 6 week check up. He said then it might be another two weeks before he will officially release me. I called work after the appt and told the Dr. I work for about this and he just laughed. He said, "See you tomorrow." Thanks for your overwhelming concern. What a guy. *punch*


I've been okay at work. My coworkers have been awesome. You couldn't ask for better friends. OH! I had my Dr. fax a statement saying I wasn't allowed to return to work until 6 to 8 weeks is up. Then I made a copy for me and documented the date I gave it to him. That way if something happens I can prove he knew I wasn't released by a doctor to return to work. I don't trust him anymore.

Thanks, ladies.

Angie

Angie, I'm so sad for your circumstances. Your boss cannot force you to work, and even though you have a letter from your doctor saying you cannot return to work, the fact that you're there means that you are disregarding his orders. God forbid if something goes wrong, legally, you're there on your own free will and your boss is not liable.

The legal issues around disability are very complex. But if you eturn to work before being released by your doctor, that will be seen legally as your choice.

I understand that your boss is a jerk and that financially you don't have much of an option, but legally, it was your decision to return to work. It stinks, but that should be all the more reason for you not to work. You don't have any legal standing if you continue to work.

I work as a nurse practitioner in a hospital (a hospital that has a very good leave policy), but the folks who manage disability leave advised me not to come near the place without a written release from my physican. If I chose to, they would not be liable for anything that happened to me.

You're in my prayers....

Mary

Anfie,

Are you working full time then or working from home? I just wasn't sure by your post. Also, how are you getting to work if you aren't cleared to drive, are you doing it anyway or having someone drive you in.

Hang in there and let us know how it's going

Lori

Just to let you know, those sharp burning pains are because you have done too much. You need to spend time resting. Once they have begun, expect them to continue and get worse until you get the appropriate rest.

Forget your boss. Remember that most creditors will give you a temporary reprieve (except for interest). I am the one that wrote earlier that told you that I have been out of work for quite some time and am in quite a bit of debt because of it, but will not sacrifice my health due to debt. It will get paid, it will just take longer than I want.

I have been working 40 hrs a week, as opposed to the 60 I was working before the surgery. I've been driving myself every day. Thanks for the concern.

Angie, I don't know the US law that applies to this situation, but I don't understand how you can be forced to work if you aren't ready to go back or if you have a relapse. Is there any kind of legal aid or govt agency that deals with this?

I am having the opposite problem. I just had a TAH last week 4 March and went home on 7 March. I had brought a few reports to do on my laptop so I don't get behind. I do accounts and it is all computer based work. This does not cause me any discomfort and I spend more time online than doing the reports. Yesterday this well meaning but annoyning girl from HR got involved and was worried I didn't have a doctor's release to work from home. She sent this girl from some sort of workplace safety company to check me out. I showed the girl my computer and demonstrated how I easily can use it adn get in and out of bed using my arm and leg muscles and assured her I was in no pain. When she left I thought everything was cool.

Later on, my boss rings and says the girl submitted a report that I am "totally incapacited" for work. I couldn't believe it and really resent the interference. Why are these people getting involved anyway? It was my choice (boss agreed) and I am happy with it. It will make things worse if I go back in 3 weeks and everything has piled up and I have to rush and probably make mistakes in the process. Frustrated for different reasons, Angie but I know where you are coming from.

The encouragement you sisters show for each other is Great! I too have to have my job and I just started it 6 months ago and found out how serious my condition was only after seeing my DR for the first time in 8 years. (My new ins. went into effect) Then I had to break the news to my boss...I had many fears. Why? My first pregnancy I was layed off. The second I was layed off. When I had my gall bladder removed because of a stone and it was diseased...I was layed off. Each time a different employer of an office. So now that I had the perfect great pay office job with great benefits my DR says surgery and 6-8 weeks off...! I cried alot. Then talked to my bosses...which luckly were all three, women. Even the top boss told me not to worry the job would be there when I came back whether it is 2-4-6-8 weeks. I opt for 2 but the more I read here I am being more realistic and thinking 3. I have a high pain tolerance but low iron. So I hope between the two and the pillow police I will recover quickly! I only have 3 days till pre-op and 5 till castle day, but am holding on well today. Let tomorrow deal with itself.

I hope your boss will lighten up and after all from what you say..."He will certainly Miss you!"