[Moose72]

They said I've had 8 or 9 absenses or equal to missing a day every two weeks and they were writing me up. Made me sign a paper. This is WITH doctors notes! Its not like I'm going out to the movies. I am so depressed. I feel like doing something destructive. Monday, at work, I was reprimanded for something - oh yeah... I couldn't breathe well! They made me go back and do dishes and said I wasn't allowed to "have restrictions"! Then I went back in and did dishes, taking frequent breaths of "fresh air". I was SOOO angry! I wanted to do some serious harm to my boss. I guess I'm just "this side of sane"... My psych meds have been upped lately plus a bad reaction to one that I was taken off. Then I took the day off Tues. and Wed. BECAUSE I couldn't breathe! My asthma was in the "yellow" zone meaning, I can't breathe well, but not so bad that I needed to be in the ER. So I went to the dr. He gave me a treatment. I also got a new med. Told to take off a day of work. I've also had migraines (brand new!) lately that have been horrific and I've needed shots and dark and quiet for. Also, the beginning of December, I was in the hospital for five days because I had an intestinal infection- was on morphine. So I get written up because I'm bipolar, and get infections and have asthma??? Can I help that?? How can they fire you for needing to be well? Not only that, but the job is BORING as all BORING. Where's the incentive to do dishes, except MAKING myself, which I have been, but really.... one day I couldn't COUNT anymore because I was having some kind of panic attack and I couldn't speak without stuttering. I got the job to a) pay off bills more quickly and b) to get me out of the house.... was supposed to be GOOD for me. And here I am 36 in a week or so and being talked down to like I'm 15 and have my first job and am an idiot. Plus "Don't talk to anybody else about this...." they said. Oh lovely! I won't be told to keep secrets.

[Perna]

They have to run a business. It's unfortunate but they need people who are reliable. It's not your "fault" you are sick but maybe you need to take some time off and address all the problems with your asthma and migraines, etc. and get your health in better shape? Think about what you would rather do besides dishes? It doesn't sound like that's the greatest job for you and just adds to your stress?

I have asthma too and know what that's like, having days that are worse than others. The migraines don't found fun either. What would you like to do other than just "get out of the house"?

[Moose72]

I've had asthma for 20 years. The migraines are brand new- as in within a month- had two already. My intestinal infections- I had those even before I got this job. They put me in the ER. I had a UTI last week... I see a social worker and psych. dr. as well as my primary dr. The dishes- well there is more than that to the job, and we get assigned to a job after lunch- but I am most of the time put there at the end of the day and I really can't stand it mentally. There is so much to do and it is boring and my brain spins and spins and its so loud in that room.... The people that I work with are funny, though. Lucky that I have had lots of practice with my crazy emotions in public over my lifetime- I didn't show any during this "meeting" today. Just signed the paper and said "ok". I am writing a book- that needs attention. This job isn't paying well. Maybe $400/mo.? Its enough to help with gas money and cell phone. I do have other money. And I don't rely on it for insurance. When I got the job, they told me I'd be getting twice as many hours as I am, plus health benefits. They didn't say how much those benefits would cost - over half my check- or that they had no intention of giving me 8 hours a day, as I was told in my interview.

[Schatje]

I've been in a similar situation once. It was a very large company that had a policy that if you miss more than 3 days of work consecutively or singularly in one quarter then you are automatically written up. The funny thing is that they gave you more paid sick leave than they would allow you to take.

I've always been kind of sickly and if I come in contact with someone who is sick or someone who has been around someone who is sick I'm going to get it. It wasn't the best environment for me because it was inside a large building full of 500 cubicles, recirculated air, and tons of people who were sick but too afraid to call in sick. I was sick all the time! I of course pulled my diseased butt out of bed and went into work and got others sick most of the time, but there was a limit.

It didn't get me into too much trouble, but it did keep me from being promoted. I ended up being junior to a real jerk who thought that just because he was my supervisor he was superior and more knowledgeable then me. Yeah, didn't fly. In the end he let me be and our team came to me with the customer, policy, and business questions and went to him for questions about vacation, pay, and sick leave.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes it isn't the quality or quantity of work that you can do, but whether there is a warm body in the seat everyday. I’ve never had any trouble before or after this company. I moved on by my choice and was much happier. Perhaps a change would do you good too.

Good luck!

[Moose72]

Thank you for your reply. It does help! I may have to move on to another job. This one just bores me to death and I don't feel I am getting enough out for the amount I put in. That is, more flack than it is worth. And yes- you're definitely right- I'm a warm body to fill a spot and that's it. I have no idea how some of those people can have worked 18 years there!

The good news is, tomorrow is a holiday and my kids and I have the day to ourselves. Plus I spent the evening with my boyfriend and that was nice. Tired now.... hoping to get some good sleep tonight!