[cutebagaddict08]

Hello- I've been dealing with PMDD symptoms on and off for the last year. There are sometimes that I can handle the symptoms and 'life.' But in the past 6 months the symptoms have gotten worse and I've needed to take off work 3days to a week to rest and take of myself once a month when the PMDD episodes occur. (I've also been on and off SSRIs which made me so much worse, so I was off for almost 2 weeks then.) I've been honest with my manager (she) about what is going and explained that my medications have been switched around, etc. (My manager does not know I see a therapist.) I'm a nurse at a hospital, I've been in my current position for 3 yrs (I've worked at the hospital 5.5yrs.) One of my doctor's has filled out a form for HR so the 'sick time' is not counted against me, and that I needed to be off for medical reasons. (HR has not notified me that I need to correct my 'call in's' and my doctor's form was approved my HR.) I understand that my 'call in's' have become more frequent and I feel horrible when I have to call in for the PMDD, I have expressed this to my manager as well.
I'm worried because I stopped taking the birth control pill 3 months ago and now my cycle is different (I stopped it to decrease the heart palpatations); so I don't know exactly when I will have the PMDD episodes. I told my manager about this and said that I have tried to work my schedule around it as much as possible as she requested me to do.(we make our own schedules at work as long as there's coverage.) Recently, my manager expressed that for the next schedule she doesn't know if she can have me taking some time off, and why wouldn't the issue be corrected by then. (I wanted to take off four days one week and three days another week b/c I don't know when I will have my cycle. I also explained this to my manager again; after she said 'why won't the issue be corrected by then?') I understand she is concerned about coverage b/c we do have a few ppl going on vacations, leaving, etc in the next month or two.
I'm not sure how to handle this. I am going back to the psychatrist and gyno docs in the next two weeks, I told my manager I will let her know what the doctors' say in regards to my treatment plan. I'm just not sure how to handle this with my manager? and now besides the PMDD symptoms I'm worrying about work.

Hello, cutebagaddict08. Is PMDD considered a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act? It may be useful to call the Job Accommodation Network to find out what your rights are under the Act:

http://askjan.org/links/contact.htm

[saywhat?]

Hi Cutebadaddict08,
I was in a similar position as you are now. I learned ALOT about workplace rights/privacy, etc.

The Family Medical Leave of Absence Act mandates that any employer with xx number of employees be protected from termination/demotion while ill with a medical condition that a doctor will certify as legitimate. (not sure exactly how many employees is the minimum, but a hospital should be well over the minimum)

This Act allows employees that work at least 1,250 hours per year be given 12 weeks (within a twelve month rolling year) of time off from work (unpaid if you don't have the sick time to take, or paid if you do) This Act also requires that the employee be provided with the upmost privacy, meaning that your immediate supervisor has no right to question you about your specific illness or details of treatment unless you engage in a conversation with her willingly. The only people that should see your medical certification are those in HR that specifically handle the FMLOA process for the entire hospital. You have the right to maintain your privacy and not give any specifics to your supervisor at all if you choose.

Your hospital should have a FMLOA policy in place that will spell out what the Act mandates and how to apply for it. If you have already completed this process, YOU ARE PROTECTED! Research and educate yourself on your rights and don't apologize for your illness or allow your supervisor to intimidate you or make you feel guilty about it. Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

http://humanresources.about.com/od/l..._explained.htm

[donut]

Pardon my ignorance but what is PMDD please?

[saywhat?]

Hi Donut,
PreMenstrual Dysphoric Disorder...If I'm mistaken, someone please correct me!