Discrimination?

Hi all. I have a question and/or want some insight. I work in an enviorment where I care for patients and have a few staff under my charge (like 2 or so a night). I do my job and I do it well. I am very detailed and organized. As far as my job description goes, I follow it to a T.

Here's the problem. I deal with depression- and other mental health issues. (been diagnosed with most of them at one time or another.). Anyway, most people I work with (small company, probably about 15 people or so on my shift. A couple hundred total including administration and such) I get along with really well. There are 2 that I can think of that we've had differences but still have a healthy working relationship.
There are several days where I've come in unhappy. But I still do my job. Despite my emotions I never take it out on patients, or treat them differently. Yes, with my staff, they may notice because I am not all smiles and jokes (as if they always are). I tend to keep more to myself.
Someone on a different shift who didn't like me told my boss awhile back that I have depression and I take Xanax. My boss called me aside and told me that I needed to get off the Xanax because it was a horrible drug. She also talked to me about my "attitude" at work. I got in an altercation with this person on the other shift, and I owned up to my part of it but it was wayyy over exaggerated.
Anyway the other day I got wrote up again. I was told that everyone on my nightshift said they'd seen me sleeping on multiple occasions. (I have NEVER slept at work... besides, I take Adderall and have been having insomnia, I couldn't sleep if I wanted to!!) She also talked about my "flat" affect and mood at work. said I needed to come in with a good mood and promote a good enviornment. First, I don't know why I have to fake a smile every day. If I keep to myself and do my job- and have a good attitude with patients, I should be allowed to have bad days. When my boss called me in she was all fake about how she was "just trying to help" me, but at the same time was writing me up... mostly for lies that had been told about me! People had told her they had smelled alcohol on my breath and that I'd come in looking under the influence. (First, I don't do drugs... I don't abuse my prescriptions either, second, I rarely drink and I would never drink when I had to work.) So anyway, she threatend my liscence and my job... She said I can deny it but she has multiple witnessess. She said she can't help me if I don't admit to it. I told her I was NOT admitting to something I didn't do!!
Im wondering if this is discrimination due to my depression? If something happened I probably couldn't take it to court because where I live is an at-will state and they can fire for no reason, but what about losing my license? what about harrasment and defamation of character? Discrimination based on mental health problems???

Sorry...thanks for reading this even though it was so long.

If at all possible, I would retain legal counsel sooner rather than later. It would appear as though they are laying the groundwork for dismissal. I wish I could be more optimistic, but that's what it looks like from what you have written.

The alcohol on the breath of a health care provider accusation is serious.

In any case this work environment certainly does appear to be dysfunctional, if not overtly toxic. There are a lot of jobs in the health care field. Perhaps you would be better served to simply switch jobs maybe?

Oh I am absolutely looking for another job! Problem is being a single mom I have to find a job that fits child care arrangements. I outright asked my boss if she was trying to fire me and she said no, this is an at-will state and they don't have to have reason for termination. (Although they still have to abide by disability and other federal laws). In any case I think I'd rather be homeless than go back to that horrible place.
I am worried about my liscence though. You're right there are some very serious accusations!! And although I'd love to sue for harassment or defamation of character or discrimination or something- my main concern is ultimately my license.
Can someone really write you up based on hear say??

I would say that someone can write you up on the testimony of multiple witnesses, yes; although I can understand that that seems unfair, for the supervisor it may be impossible to witness the (mis)behaviour of employees and the word of their colleagues is essential to consider. I am not saying that you have misbehaved or are not being discriminated against though. Does your state have something like a human rights commission? In any case I would find someone familiar with discrimination and talk with them and in the mean time: look for a better job!

I'm really hoping for one particular job I applied for that would be a perfect fit for me. I will know either way by the 10th so if you pray- pray for me to get it!! And yeah Merlin- it does seem unfair but I do see your point. I kinda feel like that girl in the movie cyber bully where everyone turned against her based on rumors. Based loosly on the story of that girl that killed herself over myspace but in this movie everyone turned against her and were telling lies. How do you go against so many people??

Anyway, thanks for your inputs. Honestly I feel better just venting it out- especially with people that understand mental illness and it's effects.

It seems to me that they are creating a file on you so that they can fire you. Your boss is never going to answer that question truthfully. The file will "show" that you were incompetent at your job and so when they fire you they can say that it was not because of your depression. That is how I see the situation. Your company does not want to be held liable for discriminating against you so they come up with other reasons to fire you. I would also talk to a lawyer. Often law schools have students do free consultations. You might want to look into that if there is a law school near you. Good Luck.

I agree with Googley, but I wanted to add that you should contact whatever organisation oversees licensing for you and ask them to explain the ways people can lose their licenses. If anyone accused me of drug or alcohol use on (or prior to coming into) the job, I'd be wanting to see their proof in the form of where they demanded I provide a blood, breath or urine sample. You're smart to get out of a place that mistreats employees.

If people are lying about you at work, your boss may still have to take the accusations seriously. But if everyone is lying about you anyways, it doesn't matter whether they take a blood test, they will still have "made a case" that you broke policy and they did not descriminate. Licensing agencies, howeverm usually have stricter rules about proof. Definitely locate a lawyer or employement advocate. does your work give you access to advocacate or arbitrater? they can be a great help also

I'm very sorry this is happening to you. I bet the employee you had the problem with, is behind all these allegations. I agree you should get some legal advice so you'll know your rights. I wonder if there's an appeal process you could go through to have these false allegations removed from your record. They can't just put this on your record without being sure of this...if that's the case any employee could accuse another anytime. I think you should tell your boss that one of the people you had problems with, is the source of these rumors. If they do fire you, I would seek legal representation and fight these allegations.