Working With Disabilities

Posted on: Mon, Jul 28 2008 3:42 PM

Posted by: allissaw1 Posts: 5

I am currently searching for an attorney here that is not tied into the bank I work for here in Arkansas.  I went to work this morning, and gave my doctor return note with restriction of standing must be limited to 30 minutes intervals.  I worked for 3 hours with no difficulities even though the air conditioner wasn''t working and it was 90 degrees in the vault.  At 11 AM I was called to my supervisors office and told that I would not be able to work here with a restriction.  They didn't allow employee's to have restrictions upon their return.  I said I feel like I have been doing just fine this morning.  I completed everything that I has needed completion, and I took a break and did reports at the end of standing for 30 minutes.  I don't know how they can tell me that I can not work with this tiny restriction, when another lady is returning from maternity leave and I am sure after her c-section she will have restrictions.  Isn't this discrimination???? I was also told that if I had only taken 4 weeks off instead of the 12 weeks then my job would definately be available to me,  but since I did take the full FMLA....well they need someone who can hit the "ground running". (Their words)  My only impairment at this time is that my left leg is weak on some days.  I have full feeling and range of the limbs now.  I think they have messed up because they are counting that week from last week as a week's leave when I was on vacation, but just happened to have surgery.  Anyways that is where I am at now... Waiting on a return call from an attorney to see where I need to go to next.  Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Allissa

Posted on: Mon, Jul 28 2008 4:00 PM

Posted by: JENNIFERADAMS Posts: 80

Tomorrow might seem as if it never come when your difficulties continue to absorb all of efforts. But there is hope that a better tomorrow is near; there is strength within you; there is strength with you that will help you bear all the burdens of today.

Posted on: Mon, Jul 28 2008 5:10 PM

Posted by: allissaw1 Posts: 5

 Thanks for the words of encouragement.  I need all of them I can get at this point.

Posted on: Tue, Jul 29 2008 1:23 AM

Posted by: Becky Posts: 1,555

Hey Allissaw! I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I agree with the others in that you need to seek out an attorney. I'm afraid I can't add anything more to the already excellent advice you have received. Good luck to you!

Becky

Posted on: Fri, Aug 1 2008 12:42 PM

Posted by: allissaw1 Posts: 5

I would like to thank everyone for their advice and encouragement.  I did file a complaint with the Arkansas EEOC, and I am still waiting to hear from them.  I will contact an attorney next week, but my problem is finding one in my area that takes those types of cases.  I think I may have found one in Little Rock, but that would be a 3 hour drive for me, but I think she may be the best of the best in these types of situations.  Never in a million years did I think my employers at the bank would treat me like this since our CEO/President of the bank has Lou Gehrig's disease, but nevertheless I feel like i am being fired legally by their policies and that stinks.  I had planned on remaining with this company until retirement.  The pay is good, working environment is nice, and benefits are okay, but when they said I would have to be 100% before I could ever return then I knew they no longer had me in their future.  How can I be 100% when I have just been diagnosed with an incurable chronic disease?  I still think I could've done my job adequately, but I would have to pace myself and try to adhere to a schedule.  I was good at my job, and enjoyed the freedom of working alone at my own pace.  This is so upsetting to me. On a brighter note, the president of a local bank heard what was happening to me from a relative(my next door neighbor) and said when I got ready just come to his bank and he would put me to work.  He has a disability too.  (Freak accident-pinned between a truck and wall-lost both legs)  He said that if I feel like I can do a job and do it well, then that is all he needs.  He didn't say what position but it would be a sitting job, so I would never have to worry about how my leg is feeling at that moment.  I know when one door slams in your face that another one will open.  I don't think this bank will pay as nicely as my current bank, but this bank is 3 blocks from my  house, as opposed to a 70 mile round trip daily, and with gas prices at $4/gallon, I think I will come out ahead in the long run.  I am still going to pursue the legal recourse against my current bank because it is not right how they have treated me, and maybe this will help someone in the future.  If anyone on this group knows of a good attorney in Arkansas that handles Disibility Discrimination cases please feel free to email me.

Thanks Again, and Sorry this is So LONG,

Allissa 

Posted on: Sat, Sep 13 2008 7:44 AM

Posted by: candyj1 Posts: 3

Hey,

I have MS too and I had to switch to PT work hrs.  The MS society helped me.  Also, MS.com is nice 'cause you can keep trying words in the ms search box and it gives you many good options and even good info to give to your employer.  Well, I gotta get a quick nap (my favorite past time) and try to go to this MS luncheon today.  It'll workout.  Just try to remain cool & calm.

Talk @ ya later,

Candyj                  

Posted on: Mon, Dec 1 2008 9:56 PM

Posted by: Connierama2 Posts: 1

Dear allissaw1,

I hope you found a lawyer and sued those ungrateful fools.  I am in the same boat now and really I think this FMLA is for the employer and the insurance companies!!!  It does not help the disabled AT ALL.  I did not know I was even on the (FMLA) until they sent a letter and said if I did not return to work in 2 weeks I would not have a job!  I have been going to doctors, trying to keep up all the paper work for the disability insurance, which of course is the same company.  I have MS for a long time but I was working 12 hours a day and doing more than the "Healthy Employees" and not complaining.  But you get this great benefit???  Hope you are doing better and things are working out for you!!!

Regards, 

Connierama2