Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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[Venting] Well, I guess I'm losing my job... (self.Blind)
submitted by blazblu82
Had a hemorrhage in only eye in mid-November and been home ever since. Although the blood is better, visual acuity is worse along with the photophobia.
Went to work today since I was released to go back and had to leave after a few hours due to eye not handling the bright lights whle wearing sunglasses. About an hour or so after getting home, HR from work calls and says I wasn't supposed to work today since in their eyes, dr didn't clear me 100%. They go on to tell me my FMLA ends Feb 9th and they can't find anyway to accommodate me so I can do the job I was hired for.
So now, they are trying to get short term to cover me until the 9th then I guess I'm being let go. They didn't come out and say that, but did in a roundabout way. I've never been fired from a job before, never claimed unemployment before and never been w/o insurance before. I've got a few thousand dollars' worth (cash price) of meds I take each month that won't be able to afford, two of which are insulin.
I contacted the local vocational rehab branch and got their app in the mail today. Guess I'll talk to unemployment office tomorrow and see how that works and if I can get on state health insurance while on unemployment. I have 4 job apps submitted to the local vision rehab center. I've been interviewed for 2, waiting on interviews for the other 2. I hope I hear from them within the next 2 weeks and get hired so I won't have to file for unemployment.
I'm quite pissed at my employer for not doing more for me. I've been dealing with retinopathy for nearly 3 years and despite my suggestions to make my life easier, they've done nothing. All I am is a problem to them and their solution is to simply kick me out the door despite the 8+ years I've given them.
Feeling lost and depressed
​
EDIT: I got a termination letter today from my employer. They are basing termination on the fact I don't have a reliable means of getting to work for second shift. They go on to say that even if I did, they would have to evaluate me and get additional documentation from my eye dr before they would let me work 100%. I've been dealing with my DX since 2019 and they haven't done a damn thing to help me out. There have been first shift positions come up during that period, yet, they always go to someone else.
So yeah, thanks to all this, I'll be giving up my home and everything else and live with my folks AGAIN. I haven't been pulling an income since Jan 17th and have maybe a month's worth of money left to pay the bills with.
FML
Went to work today since I was released to go back and had to leave after a few hours due to eye not handling the bright lights whle wearing sunglasses. About an hour or so after getting home, HR from work calls and says I wasn't supposed to work today since in their eyes, dr didn't clear me 100%. They go on to tell me my FMLA ends Feb 9th and they can't find anyway to accommodate me so I can do the job I was hired for.
So now, they are trying to get short term to cover me until the 9th then I guess I'm being let go. They didn't come out and say that, but did in a roundabout way. I've never been fired from a job before, never claimed unemployment before and never been w/o insurance before. I've got a few thousand dollars' worth (cash price) of meds I take each month that won't be able to afford, two of which are insulin.
I contacted the local vocational rehab branch and got their app in the mail today. Guess I'll talk to unemployment office tomorrow and see how that works and if I can get on state health insurance while on unemployment. I have 4 job apps submitted to the local vision rehab center. I've been interviewed for 2, waiting on interviews for the other 2. I hope I hear from them within the next 2 weeks and get hired so I won't have to file for unemployment.
I'm quite pissed at my employer for not doing more for me. I've been dealing with retinopathy for nearly 3 years and despite my suggestions to make my life easier, they've done nothing. All I am is a problem to them and their solution is to simply kick me out the door despite the 8+ years I've given them.
Feeling lost and depressed
​
EDIT: I got a termination letter today from my employer. They are basing termination on the fact I don't have a reliable means of getting to work for second shift. They go on to say that even if I did, they would have to evaluate me and get additional documentation from my eye dr before they would let me work 100%. I've been dealing with my DX since 2019 and they haven't done a damn thing to help me out. There have been first shift positions come up during that period, yet, they always go to someone else.
So yeah, thanks to all this, I'll be giving up my home and everything else and live with my folks AGAIN. I haven't been pulling an income since Jan 17th and have maybe a month's worth of money left to pay the bills with.
FML
xmachinaxxx 8 points 1y ago
Ahh man I’m sorry this is happening to you. Hope things get better soon.
honestduane 7 points 1y ago
Talk to a Lawyer. Now.
blazblu82 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
What for? If I can't do the job I was hired for, what can a lawyer do?
They haven't said they will fire me, just the way they worded it makes it sound like I could be in a couple weeks.
They haven't said they will fire me, just the way they worded it makes it sound like I could be in a couple weeks.
rumster 11 points 1y ago
If you don't mind in private chat letting me know what state and type of business this happen at. I can possibly helpful in pointing in the right direction. You need a lawyer, not for your keeping your job but for not making adjustments to help you because of your medical reason. It's a weird hole in our law that kind of gives you hope for a win and some financial return. It's not always the case and if they find anything else on you like not coming in on time or some lazy work esthetics you will not get good results. But if its directly do to your sight you will have a case and most unemployment lawyers will jump on it. Since it didn't happen yet - PLEASE PLEASE DOCUMENT EVERYTHING superior/manager says to you. You need to keep a log OF everything and if it's a big enough company with a HR you DO NOT SIGN anything on termination. OK.
FrankenGretchen 5 points 1y ago
They won't say they're firing you because they'd have to say why and firing someone for having a disability is a crime. For that matter, they'd be in trouble for firing you without a stated reason. Get an atty. If you've already requested accommodations they haven't provided you definitely should get an informed opinion. They may owe you severence pay. They may have to actually prove they did their part to make accommodations during unemployment proceedings.
If you walk away without formal termination, you don't get unemployment. Get everything in writing. Take it all to your lawyer.
If you walk away without formal termination, you don't get unemployment. Get everything in writing. Take it all to your lawyer.
blazblu82 [OP] 4 points 1y ago
A lawyer has been contacted, awaiting call back. Nervous as heck about this, but hopefully they can shed some light on my situation.
Thanks!
Thanks!
blazblu82 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I do not intend to leave before they drop the f bomb. I will hold out as long as Ican or until another job oppurtunity presents itself.
Thanks!
Thanks!
honestduane 2 points 1y ago
Employment law is very clear and a lawyer can get you a lot of money or help you get a disability claim that sticks, do it now.
blazblu82 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Working in it! Waiting for them to call back.
Kyra_Grey 7 points 1y ago
I feel you 100%. Hang in there mate. I wish I had something more positive to say but I´m struggling with my own demons at the moment as well...
niamhweking 4 points 1y ago
I would agree about finding dome legal advice.
And I'd start writing down everything they say, ask for it all in writing etc
Don't agree to be let go yet
It's that they aren't even trying to make accommodations for you is the issue. You have given them suggestions.
Are you the same poster from a couple of weeks back who predicted this would happen? ( you work with your dad?)
And I'd start writing down everything they say, ask for it all in writing etc
Don't agree to be let go yet
It's that they aren't even trying to make accommodations for you is the issue. You have given them suggestions.
Are you the same poster from a couple of weeks back who predicted this would happen? ( you work with your dad?)
blazblu82 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
>Are you the same poster from a couple of weeks back who predicted this would happen? (you work with your dad?)
Yeah, that's me
>It's that they aren't even trying to make accommodations for you is the issue. You have given them suggestions.
That's an understatement. I've been tossing suggestions at them for the past 3 years. Tried jumping on first shift spots when they become available only to find those spots were given to someone else. The only thing they helped with was providing a means of getting to work via another coworker which was more or less an agreement between me and them last year when I couldn't drive. This same coworker no longer wants to help out since I can't drive again, thus preventing me from getting to work.
Even if I had a means of getting to work for second shift, I wouldn't be able to do my job because of the lighting. I tried yesterday to work, had to wear sunglasses the whole and then leave early because I couldn't handle it anymore. I suggested they install more light switches to let me select which lights to turn off, but no, they won't do that. Instead, they want me to climb a step ladder and twist the bulbs I wanted off. I declined doing this because I felt it was unsafe.
Other than that, my super has been unwilling to do anything to help, but in turn tells me he's praying and crossing his fingers and toes in hopes I get better. Now that HR has been involved, they themselves haven't done a damn thing to help resolve this. I emailed a few times and all I got was, "we're struggling to find something for you to do on first" and then nothing more from them.
I feel like the suggestions I provided weren't extraordinary and I told them I was willing to learn other positions if it meant retaining my job. They flat out refused to work with me. I mean, I already have a broad skill base at my job and could run about 80% of the department by myself.
Yeah, that's me
>It's that they aren't even trying to make accommodations for you is the issue. You have given them suggestions.
That's an understatement. I've been tossing suggestions at them for the past 3 years. Tried jumping on first shift spots when they become available only to find those spots were given to someone else. The only thing they helped with was providing a means of getting to work via another coworker which was more or less an agreement between me and them last year when I couldn't drive. This same coworker no longer wants to help out since I can't drive again, thus preventing me from getting to work.
Even if I had a means of getting to work for second shift, I wouldn't be able to do my job because of the lighting. I tried yesterday to work, had to wear sunglasses the whole and then leave early because I couldn't handle it anymore. I suggested they install more light switches to let me select which lights to turn off, but no, they won't do that. Instead, they want me to climb a step ladder and twist the bulbs I wanted off. I declined doing this because I felt it was unsafe.
Other than that, my super has been unwilling to do anything to help, but in turn tells me he's praying and crossing his fingers and toes in hopes I get better. Now that HR has been involved, they themselves haven't done a damn thing to help resolve this. I emailed a few times and all I got was, "we're struggling to find something for you to do on first" and then nothing more from them.
I feel like the suggestions I provided weren't extraordinary and I told them I was willing to learn other positions if it meant retaining my job. They flat out refused to work with me. I mean, I already have a broad skill base at my job and could run about 80% of the department by myself.
niamhweking 1 points 1y ago
I'm wondering if you've proof of all your suggestions and the accommodations you were willing to make. That would be helpful to legally prove you tried your best
blazblu82 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Not everything has been documented. I did download all work emails since last November where there was a lot of back and forth between me and the employer. I may have to go back further. However, most of the discussions were verbal.
niamhweking 1 points 1y ago
I wonder could you sneakily , email them after your next conversation putting in stuff like " as per our phone call last April we agreed I was available for x shift"
I hate professional phonecalls for this reason, I email, private message, text, dm etc. I love having proof, even if sometimes I can prove to myself I'm mistaken :D
I hate professional phonecalls for this reason, I email, private message, text, dm etc. I love having proof, even if sometimes I can prove to myself I'm mistaken :D
Nikanoru181 3 points 1y ago
You can get Novolin R shortacting imsulin and Novolin N longacting insulin for 25$ a bottle at walmart no insurance.
Cant help much with the rest, but at least there is an affordable option for your insulin
Cant help much with the rest, but at least there is an affordable option for your insulin
mi1ky_tea 2 points 1y ago
I can understand how horrible that feels. Though I will say that it is great that you've been proactive and started looking for work and starting applications as soon as you found out.
Best of luck to you.
Best of luck to you.
blazblu82 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
See EDIT in main post
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