[Mountaindewed]

I have an uncontrolled sleep disorder possibly narcolepsy but maybe something else. It’s really affecting my performance at work. I’m always so tired and out of it and I’m working very slowly. My managers attitudes have changed towards me and they are not very friendly anymore. I have a sleep study in October so I am taking care of this. They can’t just fire me all of a sudden can they? I mean I don’t think thats how it works. But the way my therapist was talking today was getting me kind of nervous.

[SlumberKitty]

Hi @Mountaindewed. I responded to your post on the In Session Today thread in Psychotherapy section about this. Hope it helps.

[SirHabit]

Check your diet and acidity. Acid is bad.

[sarahsweets]

I think they could get rid of you if they wanted to. I am not sure a sleep disorder is a protected disability.

Any at will employee can get fired at any point. They may not be able to say they are firing you for a sleep disorder but they can certainly find another reason if they wanted to get rid of you. It can honestly happen to any of us.

[downandlonely]

Yeah, unless you are a union employee, I would have to agree with @Jersey 4. They won't say they are firing you for having a sleep disorder, but they can say you are working too slowly.

I'm sorry you're going through this. Hope you can keep your job.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I think they could get rid of you if they wanted to. I am not sure a sleep disorder is a protected disability.

I just want to clarify that there is no such thing as a "protected disability" in the US. Disability is defined very broadly that it is something that inhibits your ability in a significant way to work and live. A sleep disorder absolutely can be a disability under the law in the US. But your doctor would have to state that it is severe enough to be considered disabling by the legal definition.

Any condition or disorder can rise to the status of disability and the ADA does not define any specific disorders that are included or excluded. So NO, they can't get rid of you bc of a sleep disorder, but unless you've disclosed the disorder and asked for accommodations officially at work, then technically they don't know and they can fire you for bad behavior if it's affecting your behavior.

[Mountaindewed]

Honestly at this point things are so bad with my sleep issues and my anxiety and depression that I don’t even care if work decides to let me go. But I’ve been pushing myself to at least stay my entire shift even when I wanted to leave. Friday was particularly bad as was Tuesday. I’ve been trying though.

[sarahsweets]

Whoops, sorry.

Originally Posted by seesaw

I just want to clarify that there is no such thing as a "protected disability" in the US. Disability is defined very broadly that it is something that inhibits your ability in a significant way to work and live. A sleep disorder absolutely can be a disability under the law in the US. But your doctor would have to state that it is severe enough to be considered disabling by the legal definition.

Any condition or disorder can rise to the status of disability and the ADA does not define any specific disorders that are included or excluded. So NO, they can't get rid of you bc of a sleep disorder, but unless you've disclosed the disorder and asked for accommodations officially at work, then technically they don't know and they can fire you for bad behavior if it's affecting your behavior.

[bpcyclist]

I got fired in 1999 just after my initial diagnosis was made. Won't go into all the details, but it was clear and flagrant discrimination. A year later, I started my own business. It took off and became quite a success. I thought it was funny. The big employer that canned me was actually holding me back. Getting fired by them was literally the best thing that ever happened to my career. Thanks, guys!!!!

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

Whoops, sorry.

No worries. Just clarifying. There's a lot of misconception about what disability means.