[puzzledone]

I have been out of work since early September. My dr has given me permission to The first week I went back, I was sent home on first day due to my shaking, slurred speech and stumbling. My dr still said i could work, so i went back last Monday and tuesday and was sent home on Tuesday. i work in a civil service position and often transport kids. I am getting maybe 3 hours of sleep st night. My employer was worried about liability issues and asked me again to contact me dr to take me off work longer, the dr refused. My employer called my dr, hoping to explain the work i do and its important i get enough sleep.

My shaking, slurred speech and stumbling are all caused by medcil conditions. The administrator called yesterday, tellin me to report to work on Monday and if something happens to a child in my care, I will be personally liable. She also said that if I go back on Monday and my supervisors feel i can noy do my job, then they have to look at it as s performance issue since my dr says I am fine to work.

I talked to my therapist this morning, her suggestion was to go back and "do good"" I asked her how I can stop the shaking, stumbling and slurred speech. As those are the reasons they useed to sned me home the last 2 times. She didnt have an answer for me, I am afrais same thing will happen on Monday and I will be sebt home, only this time it will be for not performing my job duties and will be wrote up. After so many write ups, I will get fired. Can they do that? Terminate me on my physical symptoms i cant control?

[Jan1212]

How bad is the shaking? I would assume it wasn't bad at the time you got your driver's license, but it might be dangerous since you have to drive a vehicle with children. Why would your doctor let you go on without medication? Or did he give you medication? DOes the shaking occur even with meds? Did the employer know of your condition when you got hired?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by puzzledone

I have been out of work since early September. My dr has given me permission to The first week I went back, I was sent home on first day due to my shaking, slurred speech and stumbling. My dr still said i could work, so i went back last Monday and tuesday and was sent home on Tuesday. i work in a civil service position and often transport kids. I am getting maybe 3 hours of sleep st night. My employer was worried about liability issues and asked me again to contact me dr to take me off work longer, the dr refused. My employer called my dr, hoping to explain the work i do and its important i get enough sleep.

My shaking, slurred speech and stumbling are all caused by medcil conditions. The administrator called yesterday, tellin me to report to work on Monday and if something happens to a child in my care, I will be personally liable. She also said that if I go back on Monday and my supervisors feel i can noy do my job, then they have to look at it as s performance issue since my dr says I am fine to work.

I talked to my therapist this morning, her suggestion was to go back and "do good"" I asked her how I can stop the shaking, stumbling and slurred speech. As those are the reasons they useed to sned me home the last 2 times. She didnt have an answer for me, I am afrais same thing will happen on Monday and I will be sebt home, only this time it will be for not performing my job duties and will be wrote up. After so many write ups, I will get fired. Can they do that? Terminate me on my physical symptoms i cant control?

yes here in New york you can get fired if you are under the influence of drugs (including prescriptions) that impair your abilities to do your job. its even more important when working with children. you can be arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, child neglect, and basically the same things as if you were drinking alcohol and being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while caring / overseeing / transporting / or in the presence of a child.

my suggestion talk to your doctor about adjusting your medications or changing them to something that has less side effects.. if you are on the correct meds and dosage for your weight and height you shouldnt be appearing drunk or high (slurred speech, stumbling and DT's which stands for Delerium Tremens)

if the doctor cant do this for you, you may have to consider quitting this job and finding one where appearing to be drunk or high wont matter. other wide you are working at your own risk of being arrested, endangering children and possibly having parents sue you for forms of child abuse like neglect and endangering the welfare of their children.

[puzzledone]

My family Dr is going by the thought i need to return to work for my mental health. She had no suggestions om how to stop the shaking or stumbling ( caused by being dizzy). I asked my psychiatrist if my depression medication could be stopped or decreased. The slurred speech only started when this medication was increased in late August. She agreed for me to go back to the inial dosage i was on, so I am hoping that will at least take care of the speech issue.

I spoke with my union president. She is having a union rep attend the meeting with me Monday morning. She said when my agency sent me home all those times it was against our contract and if agenncy had any concerns about my ability to perform my job, then they should have sent me to an independent doctor for an evaluation, which they did not do. The union also assured me that my agency cant use mmy health issues to turn them into performance issues. Will see what happens Monday.

[Lil Ant Lady]

Here in the uk they would have to amend your duties under the disability act, ie putting you in an admin role eg.

[nicoleb2]

Quite frankly, if you are dizzy, I would not want you to be transporting my children. I know it sucks to hear that, but nobody should be driving anyone, in any vehicle when they are dizzy. It's just not safe.

That said, perhaps you should seek a second opinion about your health issues/lack of sleep/shakiness. They might have some other thoughts or ideas, or be able to help you get more time off till the problem is taken care of.