[HALLIEBETH87]

I called in this morning for a migraine I’ve had all night with nausea. My boss wasn’t happy and said she’s been keeping notes. She said she’s gonna talk to HR. I’m freaking out

Sorry to hear that, Hallie. Have you missed a lot of work days or something?

It sounds like she maybe doesn't believe you?

[bpcyclist]

Sorry, Halliebeth. How has work been going overall would you say? Are you not entitled to some sick days or something? Why would she be so pissy?

Sending strength and support!!!!!!

[HALLIEBETH87]

She’s not very nice anyway but yes I have missed several days. It was a blessing nag I was home today though bc my granny passed out and I’m in hospital with her.

They just fire me without a write up or probation can they?

[bpcyclist]

Depends on the state you are in. Here, it is right to work, so, they can fire you for no cause at all. But it may be different in your state. You should try to find out.

Sending you love and support. I am so sorry you are dealing with all this at once, Halliebeth.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I’m in Kentucky.

Don’t you think they’d at least write me up first?

[swimmingly]

What size company do you work for HallieBeth? Do you have an HR department that you can talk with? Don't do this yet. Usually an HR department will be an advocate for both company and employee but it depends on the situation and what has gone on, and the "truth" that the company has presented thus far. Generally, I think you would be written up first.

I'm a former manager in a large corporation who has since been 'written up' and eventually witch hunted, and who has even further since found a balance and steadiness at this same company.

Tell us as much as you can with keeping anonymity about your company and yourself. I don't know the employment laws in Kentucky, but I'll try to help. How large of a company is this?

Looks like Kentucky is a "employer-at-will" state meaning that an employer can fire the employee for any reason. Is your work in retail, customer service, hospitality, or in an office setting?

Kentucky Attorney for Wrongful Termination | McCARTY LEGAL

[HALLIEBETH87]

I work as direct staff in a staffed residence with three guys. It’s for a. Nonprofit. We’re already short staffed

[HALLIEBETH87]

We are the region’s community mental health center. Just one site of it for seven surrounding counties.

Ah. Then calling in sick a lot when you're already short staffed for a staffed residence that is seven surrounding counties only resource, doesn't look good. Maybe you get migraines because the work is stressful. Do you like working there?

[HALLIEBETH87]

Well I love my job. The only stress is my
Boss bc she’s never ever happy.

[swimmingly]

FIrst, I was remiss before not to ask how your grandmother is. I hope she's home and doing better. And I hope that her passing out hasn't stressed you too much.

So it's hard to judge with you working within a staffed residence and it being a non-profit. One thing in your favor is the short-staffed fact. I think that works in your favor. It sounds like you have a lot going on, but if possible, is there someone you can lean on for help with your granny? It sounds like for the short-term you'll need to be right on top of things at work and I suspect that this might blow over.

My unprofessional guess in this situation? That this is a shot fired off your bow designed to scare you straight. I hope that's all it is, and that you can recover from it.

I'm rooting for you, though. Hang in there!

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

Well I love my job. The only stress is my
Boss bc she’s never ever happy.

Is she 'never happy' with you because you chronically call in sick a lot? Or, is she a critical boss with the other 3 direct staffers there too?

It could be that, or a personality clash between you and your supervisor, or maybe she is stressed out with her job b/c your center is understaffed. The only way to improve your working conditions there, I think, is to talk to your supervisor.

If your workplace is nonprofit and a lack of funding prevents hiring of more direct staffers, then I could see why its a stressful work situation for all involved.

Is there a way you can use your grandmother's health insurance to get PCA coverage for the daytime hours when you are at your job? Her doctor should be able to write a referral to one of those outpatient nurse services that sends nurses out to homes with elderly residents, to help the adult caretaker with household chores, bathing, feeding, etc. I would put that at the top of your priority list of things to get put into place.

[bpcyclist]

I agree with Motts, Halliebeth. I married a Louisville girl. Kentuckians are generally decent people. Talk to that boss and see where it goes.

How often are you calling in do you imagine?

[HALLIEBETH87]

She is never happy with anyone. Our monthly conference calls are mostly her being sassy with everyone. I’ve never had a boss like her before. I try to stay in her good side but I’ve messed up this time. :*(

I really want to do better and keep this job. I need it and it’s prefect for my schedule for school I start soon.

[~Christina]

Hopefully just a write up. Sure it sucks but you missed a lot work while IP too.

But its good your were home since your granny had another episode.. I am glad that you can be in the ER with her this time...

You know how to find me

[HALLIEBETH87]

Yeah I will be fine with a write
Up...

Just can’t get fired

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

She is never happy with anyone. Our monthly conference calls are mostly her being sassy with everyone. I’ve never had a boss like her before. I try to stay in her good side but I’ve messed up this time. :*(

I really want to do better and keep this job. I need it and it’s prefect for my schedule for school I start soon.

Sounds like you have some decisions to make. You're about to start school. Are you attending community college or a 4-year college/uni? You can access your school's career counseling office for help finding a job, if this one doesn't work out. You can also apply for workstudy jobs on campus too, that might suit you better while you are in school.

Frankly, this job sounds like a mismatch for you in these areas; it doesn't offer you the flexibility you need with your mental health IP and your physical health problems (migraines, etc.). It's an underfunded, understaffed nonprofit that has a supervisor who sasses everyone.

I think you can find a better job that allows you the flexibility and balance that you require for your mental and physical health, your grandmother's needs when it calls for you to be there for her (until you can get her doctor to write a referral to an outpatient service that offers in-house nursing care for the elderly at home -- get your grandmother assessed by your county social worker to qualify her for the elderly care waiver so she can get access to services that will pay for her in-house care while so that you can focus on your studies).

I would rethink what your priorities are based on all of the variables you have to deal with in your life. Is this job the end-all-be-all job for you?

[Travelinglady]

Hey, sweetie. Have you tried different meds for migraines to see if any help? I'm sure added stress is not helping either.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I just keep having mini panic attacks over worrying about my job

[swimmingly]

I think I didn't help at all before, HallieBeth. Maybe none of us did.

Here's what I believe. You can only control what is actually in your scope of control. It turns out that usually that's not all that much. What do you have for options now?

I see a bunch:

• You can talk to your boss and explain what happened.
• You can pretend nothing happened, and move forward.
• You can speak to someone in HR and document your side of the situation.
• You can just move forward and try extra hard to be there and ask someone else to help with your granny.

I think what I might do in your shoes would be to pick one of the options (you may see more?) and stick to it. It may help with the anxiety. I didn't mean to contribute to your anxiety at all, and I fear that I did.

[bpcyclist]

I must say, I do like the idea of you maybe looking for a position that fits a bit better with your current life situation and also with a boss who is not negative and mean.

Hugs!!