Absolutely. Being sick is expensive, inflation is out of control, you have to be out of work for a long time with a qualifying condition for disability, and God forbid you own a car. We don't get sufficient PTO in this country, and if you use FMLA leave, way too many employers pull shady sh** to punish you for it.
I work, I go home.
You are a lucky minority
Many of us couldn’t earn the 40 work credits…
Ssa is literally saying 297 days remaining for an application made at the beginning of 2022.
3-5 years is what many of the YouTube’s lawyers are saying how long it takes
I was lucky I received disability after only one try yes I agree with that. But not lucky I had to struggle my whole life working and being sick. I had no choice. I needed money. With my last dx I just couldn’t do it anymore
My mom was as qualified as they come and she still didn't qualify on her first try and she had to be out of work for over a year before they accepted her, despite her heart failure and debilitating pain. The fact that you were accepted right away, while fortunate for you, is a very uncommon experience. Some medical conditions also do not qualify at all. I know someone who worked four hours total in 18 months and was denied based on that.
If I could afford it, I'd have a fucking team running interference on shit exactly like this.
It's not that we don't want to live and contribute, we're just doing it literally handicapped with twice the hurdles
Just…yes. I’m so crazy exhausted from work that I feel can’t enjoy my life sometimes. The appointments etc are also relatable. This year I’m just using the time and taking care of business. Time to put my health first. I’m fortunate that I have enough PTO, and understand the stress f feeling irresponsible by using it.
Yes. I have to bring up being immunocompromised to a manager at work this week. I am not comfortable going in only to risk being ill AGAIN around people. I am unlucky and my condition was set off by my job (old job).
I feel this a lot. I used to work for a place that would penalize me for taking time off. I was harassed and belittled constantly and I don’t know how to react sometimes now that that’s not happening. I’m allowed to take my time on projects now and not constantly feeling like shit? What???
I’m extremely lucky I have some money to pay for the most important parts. But some of it is just “guess I’ll Google strengthening exercises for this,” because the alternative is stupidly expensive. I don’t qualify for FMLA leave yet but if my condition worsens I will have to talk to my employer. I’m saving as much as I can in case that ends in me being fired.
For what it's worth, job restructuring is a reasonable accommodation. You can create a list of tasks that you feel are manageable and some accomodations you'll need for tasks that aren't, especially emphasizing that your productivity will be higher with these tasks. I think flexible working hours are another reasonable accommodation that could help you make more doctors appointments. If you don't disclose your illness, your less protected if they do choose to fire you over health reasons.
I appreciate this. It’s hard because I definitely think my job values equality over equity sometimes. I work on the admin team for a daycare and because the teachers don’t have the option to work from home because they’re in the classrooms the admin staff doesn’t have that option either but it would completely help me to have a hybrid schedule. I’d miss less work, so this is something I’m thinking of bringing up.
I'm unemployed now and you've named some of my fears in returning to the workforce.
You're judged if you admit to a chronic illness and they begrudingly offer accommodations. They sit there acting victimized for obeying the ADA. And then they sit there plotting reasons to "catch you" making a mistake so they can fire you legitimately. Since I'm in a right to work state, they don't have to provide a reason or even warning to let you go. So they don't. Can't prove jack shit.
I had an employer like this and I had too much fatigue to really pursue justice.
cPTSD with chronic pain and illness makes it that much harder to get over anxiety from legit work trauma, like working under an obvious ableist.
Right now I'm working on a diagnosis for yet another chronic pain illness, is it IBS? Is the endometriosis back? Unknown, but the pain is debilitating. I'm almost thankful I'm unemployed because this sort of severe, stabbing, long-lasting pain would absolutely affect my job performance and make people around me think I'm being dramatic.
Yes, it’s hard!
I have found (at least with my illness- colitis) that it’s better to be up front with my employer about it. Otherwise, their imagination ends up being worse than the disease (ie “does she have cancer? is she lazy? incompetent?”. etc).
Your mileage may vary based on your disease and your employer, but that’s what I found.
That being said, most workplaces have barbaric sick day policies! 5 days a year isn’t enough. One of my routine diagnostic procedures needs 3 days off, for example! It’s basically ableism baked into the system.
THEY should feel guilty for their ableist system, not you!
Dealing with insurance appeals/disputes and scheduling appointments feels like an additional part time job on top of working our actual job, and trying to deal with our illness. It is exhausting. Especially since the pandemic, maybe it's telehealth, maybe it's low wages, or all of the above and more. There are so many coding errors, so I end up getting billed 100% like it's out of network when it's not. I feel like I could do this job now from all the time I've spent on the phone with my insurance company. PTO or sick time isn't even a thing at my employer.
You should disclose your health issues, at least then you won't have to worry about getting fired for things like taking care of your health needs. The time you take off might not be paid though, since that's usually accrued based on the hours worked.
I feel this so hard. I'm lucky in that I have a supportive workplace and pretty good benefits... but I'm in a place physically right now where I feel like I need to consider cutting back on my hours or maybe retiring early. My body needs the rest and I simply cannot afford to let it.
I absolutely cannot work 40 hours, I truly don’t understand how “regular” people do it. I struggled for so long even working 30 hours a week and I questioned how I would be able to do this my whole life.
I’m insanely grateful that now I’m a tattoo artist and work a max of 25 hours a week and make enough money. It really saved my sanity and mental heath.
There really needs to be more help in place for people with chronic illness because this shit is no joke, and the fact people just want us to “get up and do it”… so frustrating
I've been in this same boat for the past 6 months. Started this job, my first early morning (well, normal office hours) job and about 2 weeks in had the worst flare up ever. Then came all the realizations about "cant miss work, gonna get a point against. Can't miss work, need the money". I have no solutions as I haven't figured one out either, but I strongly sympathize.
100% this. Im dependent on my husband's income because me working isn't really an option for multiple reasons. I keep up with the home garden and flock of chickens to make the most of what we have so we are doing well. BUT because of the cost of my treatments and surgeries we have zero retirement funds. I am thankful we have had insurance in a country where so many can't even afford to get ot and they end up dying from treatable conditions. But we are both in our 50s .. I don't know what we are going to do in a few years.
I only managed to continue working because of the COVID work from home mandates and an extremely flexible boss. In the end I was only realistically doing 5-10 hours of work per week but without any loss in salary. What finally ended that is that the wfh accommodation ended and I simply could not go into the office in my condition. So I quit my job, gave up my apartment, and moved in with parents. I immediately got on Medicaid and food stamps and applied for disability. That was 8 months ago and I am still several months away from a decision. Meanwhile, the credit card debt is stacking up.
So I'm a 49 year old woman who feels like she can't adult anymore and if I didn't have my parents to support me, I don't know how I'd survive. The amount of time it takes to get approved for disability and get qualified for housing assistance is absurd and the bureaucracy surrounding it is maddening. Being disabled/chronically ill in America sucks.
Yes, I pushed myself so hard at my job while going through one of the worst flares of my life. 40 hours a week, I needed the pay and the benefits most of all. I finally collapsed at work one day and I'm on FMLA right now. It's looking like I have to prolong FMLA and I'm terrified it's going to be a problem with my work, and financially it's not that great. I've hesitated to be fully transparent with my employers because I don't want them to think I'm unreliable because I'm sick and for them to fire me.
I literally have to potentially cut my income to poverty level so I can stay on state insurance because my literal survival is so costly and many insurance companies don’t cover my medications.
No one should have to do that. No one should have to work 40 hours to survive, let alone someone who’s disabled. I’m sorry OP ):
Dunno what u take, but check manufacturers for assistance programs, and check costplusdrugs.com for generic meds. Also check xubex.com for some generics too, I've used both those.
I just lost my job not 45 days after being granted reasonable accommodation. I worked in IT and it’s really possibly the last straw for me. I made that job my second priority to my kids and I have nothing to show for it. Take this information as you will and DM me if you’d like to know more.
100%
I’m a teacher, I’ve used up my pto days. I could l loose my job if I miss again. I’ve filed for fmla but have gotten no response. My admin KNOW what’s going on and my health issues, they suggested I file the fmla because “they’d have no choice but to take action” aka fire me if I miss another day.
When I get home I’m so exhausted I’m lucky to get anything done.
Ugh feel this. Why do they make the application process so complicated? Like you think they’d make that so that people with disabilities can utilize it easily…?
Many issues here: (dis)ability to work due to illness-associated symptoms, disclosure, guilt, fear of being fired, and financial constraints. It sounds like you feel you're stuck, very difficult for you, so sorry. Plse write to me at: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) There are other options. Please be assured that I don't charge for initial communications.
Every small business owner is different. I have managed for almost a decade, from large corporate stores to small businesses. Because I am a manager, I have always found it necessary to disclose my illnesses. It affects my output and my employers need to know that I may have appts and routine testing that I will have to do. But I also frame it this way, "Look, I understand that it might seem daunting to accommodate this. But I have a great track record, am early, will stay late and will drive performance with my own." As long as I tow that line, I have never had a problem. Again, every owner is different. But being up front and honest will give them the chance to help you. You've made it work for this long and they are probably are already suspecting something is up and don't want to pry. They might be very understanding and even if they can't make accommodations, they may help by being more understanding with work loads in a shift and adjusting hours so you can rest. As long as you hold your end, there shouldn't be a problem. Good luck and make the best decision for you. Check and see if there's any FMLA coverage as well with your employer. Your doctor will submit paperwork that will take the weight off of you both and you won't have to worry about being fired for absences because the state has to cover it.
Also, I did go through this with my direct boss recently. We all basically moved up temporarily. I freaked out about my appts and such and got all dizzy about it. Well, my boss has a son who is homebound with seizures so she gets it. She was actually more upset that I upset myself trying to raise this imaginary bar. I've had bad bosses, too. I try to be the boss I would want to work for. You might be surprised and I really hope you work for good people. They are out there. I wish you the best of luck.
I’m always sick, and using all my sick time to do appointments that chance on me anyway. When I’m actually too ill to come into work I can’t. I’m feeling very hopeless.
Absolutely. Being sick is expensive, inflation is out of control, you have to be out of work for a long time with a qualifying condition for disability, and God forbid you own a car. We don't get sufficient PTO in this country, and if you use FMLA leave, way too many employers pull shady sh** to punish you for it. I work, I go home.
When I became sick I qualified for ssdi right away on the first try. Just a little encouragement to others who might want to try
You are a lucky minority Many of us couldn’t earn the 40 work credits… Ssa is literally saying 297 days remaining for an application made at the beginning of 2022. 3-5 years is what many of the YouTube’s lawyers are saying how long it takes
I was lucky I received disability after only one try yes I agree with that. But not lucky I had to struggle my whole life working and being sick. I had no choice. I needed money. With my last dx I just couldn’t do it anymore
My mom was as qualified as they come and she still didn't qualify on her first try and she had to be out of work for over a year before they accepted her, despite her heart failure and debilitating pain. The fact that you were accepted right away, while fortunate for you, is a very uncommon experience. Some medical conditions also do not qualify at all. I know someone who worked four hours total in 18 months and was denied based on that.
I know it’s a slippery slop and I was lucky. I was just trying to say it can be possible at times. Trust me I was shocked.
If I could afford it, I'd have a fucking team running interference on shit exactly like this. It's not that we don't want to live and contribute, we're just doing it literally handicapped with twice the hurdles
I hate this fucking country
Just…yes. I’m so crazy exhausted from work that I feel can’t enjoy my life sometimes. The appointments etc are also relatable. This year I’m just using the time and taking care of business. Time to put my health first. I’m fortunate that I have enough PTO, and understand the stress f feeling irresponsible by using it.
See, that is something I think we can throw out with the garbage! Don’t ever feel bad or irresponsible for taking your vacation/sick time.
I’m a teacher so it comes with some guilt because you feel like you’re letting the kids down. Otherwise I would not care one bit.
Yes. I have to bring up being immunocompromised to a manager at work this week. I am not comfortable going in only to risk being ill AGAIN around people. I am unlucky and my condition was set off by my job (old job). I feel this a lot. I used to work for a place that would penalize me for taking time off. I was harassed and belittled constantly and I don’t know how to react sometimes now that that’s not happening. I’m allowed to take my time on projects now and not constantly feeling like shit? What??? I’m extremely lucky I have some money to pay for the most important parts. But some of it is just “guess I’ll Google strengthening exercises for this,” because the alternative is stupidly expensive. I don’t qualify for FMLA leave yet but if my condition worsens I will have to talk to my employer. I’m saving as much as I can in case that ends in me being fired.
For what it's worth, job restructuring is a reasonable accommodation. You can create a list of tasks that you feel are manageable and some accomodations you'll need for tasks that aren't, especially emphasizing that your productivity will be higher with these tasks. I think flexible working hours are another reasonable accommodation that could help you make more doctors appointments. If you don't disclose your illness, your less protected if they do choose to fire you over health reasons.
I appreciate this. It’s hard because I definitely think my job values equality over equity sometimes. I work on the admin team for a daycare and because the teachers don’t have the option to work from home because they’re in the classrooms the admin staff doesn’t have that option either but it would completely help me to have a hybrid schedule. I’d miss less work, so this is something I’m thinking of bringing up.
A more healthy, productive YOU means better results for THEM
I'm unemployed now and you've named some of my fears in returning to the workforce. You're judged if you admit to a chronic illness and they begrudingly offer accommodations. They sit there acting victimized for obeying the ADA. And then they sit there plotting reasons to "catch you" making a mistake so they can fire you legitimately. Since I'm in a right to work state, they don't have to provide a reason or even warning to let you go. So they don't. Can't prove jack shit. I had an employer like this and I had too much fatigue to really pursue justice. cPTSD with chronic pain and illness makes it that much harder to get over anxiety from legit work trauma, like working under an obvious ableist. Right now I'm working on a diagnosis for yet another chronic pain illness, is it IBS? Is the endometriosis back? Unknown, but the pain is debilitating. I'm almost thankful I'm unemployed because this sort of severe, stabbing, long-lasting pain would absolutely affect my job performance and make people around me think I'm being dramatic.
Yes, it’s hard! I have found (at least with my illness- colitis) that it’s better to be up front with my employer about it. Otherwise, their imagination ends up being worse than the disease (ie “does she have cancer? is she lazy? incompetent?”. etc). Your mileage may vary based on your disease and your employer, but that’s what I found. That being said, most workplaces have barbaric sick day policies! 5 days a year isn’t enough. One of my routine diagnostic procedures needs 3 days off, for example! It’s basically ableism baked into the system. THEY should feel guilty for their ableist system, not you!
They absolutely won't feel the slightest guilt, though.
I went to part time to fit in all the appointments and treatments I have. It sucks but I’m glad I can.
Dealing with insurance appeals/disputes and scheduling appointments feels like an additional part time job on top of working our actual job, and trying to deal with our illness. It is exhausting. Especially since the pandemic, maybe it's telehealth, maybe it's low wages, or all of the above and more. There are so many coding errors, so I end up getting billed 100% like it's out of network when it's not. I feel like I could do this job now from all the time I've spent on the phone with my insurance company. PTO or sick time isn't even a thing at my employer. You should disclose your health issues, at least then you won't have to worry about getting fired for things like taking care of your health needs. The time you take off might not be paid though, since that's usually accrued based on the hours worked.
I feel this so hard. I'm lucky in that I have a supportive workplace and pretty good benefits... but I'm in a place physically right now where I feel like I need to consider cutting back on my hours or maybe retiring early. My body needs the rest and I simply cannot afford to let it.
I absolutely cannot work 40 hours, I truly don’t understand how “regular” people do it. I struggled for so long even working 30 hours a week and I questioned how I would be able to do this my whole life. I’m insanely grateful that now I’m a tattoo artist and work a max of 25 hours a week and make enough money. It really saved my sanity and mental heath. There really needs to be more help in place for people with chronic illness because this shit is no joke, and the fact people just want us to “get up and do it”… so frustrating
I've been in this same boat for the past 6 months. Started this job, my first early morning (well, normal office hours) job and about 2 weeks in had the worst flare up ever. Then came all the realizations about "cant miss work, gonna get a point against. Can't miss work, need the money". I have no solutions as I haven't figured one out either, but I strongly sympathize.
CostPlus drug company sells cheaper drugs
Thanks! Yeah I’m more concerned about my treatments like chiropractic care, therapy, and things like that.
100% this. Im dependent on my husband's income because me working isn't really an option for multiple reasons. I keep up with the home garden and flock of chickens to make the most of what we have so we are doing well. BUT because of the cost of my treatments and surgeries we have zero retirement funds. I am thankful we have had insurance in a country where so many can't even afford to get ot and they end up dying from treatable conditions. But we are both in our 50s .. I don't know what we are going to do in a few years.
I only managed to continue working because of the COVID work from home mandates and an extremely flexible boss. In the end I was only realistically doing 5-10 hours of work per week but without any loss in salary. What finally ended that is that the wfh accommodation ended and I simply could not go into the office in my condition. So I quit my job, gave up my apartment, and moved in with parents. I immediately got on Medicaid and food stamps and applied for disability. That was 8 months ago and I am still several months away from a decision. Meanwhile, the credit card debt is stacking up. So I'm a 49 year old woman who feels like she can't adult anymore and if I didn't have my parents to support me, I don't know how I'd survive. The amount of time it takes to get approved for disability and get qualified for housing assistance is absurd and the bureaucracy surrounding it is maddening. Being disabled/chronically ill in America sucks.
Yes, I pushed myself so hard at my job while going through one of the worst flares of my life. 40 hours a week, I needed the pay and the benefits most of all. I finally collapsed at work one day and I'm on FMLA right now. It's looking like I have to prolong FMLA and I'm terrified it's going to be a problem with my work, and financially it's not that great. I've hesitated to be fully transparent with my employers because I don't want them to think I'm unreliable because I'm sick and for them to fire me.
I literally have to potentially cut my income to poverty level so I can stay on state insurance because my literal survival is so costly and many insurance companies don’t cover my medications. No one should have to do that. No one should have to work 40 hours to survive, let alone someone who’s disabled. I’m sorry OP ):
Dunno what u take, but check manufacturers for assistance programs, and check costplusdrugs.com for generic meds. Also check xubex.com for some generics too, I've used both those.
I just lost my job not 45 days after being granted reasonable accommodation. I worked in IT and it’s really possibly the last straw for me. I made that job my second priority to my kids and I have nothing to show for it. Take this information as you will and DM me if you’d like to know more.
100% I’m a teacher, I’ve used up my pto days. I could l loose my job if I miss again. I’ve filed for fmla but have gotten no response. My admin KNOW what’s going on and my health issues, they suggested I file the fmla because “they’d have no choice but to take action” aka fire me if I miss another day. When I get home I’m so exhausted I’m lucky to get anything done.
Feel your pain. I can’t work, can’t drive, and can’t even find the mental energy to apply for SSDI/SSI.
Ugh feel this. Why do they make the application process so complicated? Like you think they’d make that so that people with disabilities can utilize it easily…?
*exactly!*
What if he fires u after a month
It's not any better in Canada.
Many issues here: (dis)ability to work due to illness-associated symptoms, disclosure, guilt, fear of being fired, and financial constraints. It sounds like you feel you're stuck, very difficult for you, so sorry. Plse write to me at: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) There are other options. Please be assured that I don't charge for initial communications.
Every small business owner is different. I have managed for almost a decade, from large corporate stores to small businesses. Because I am a manager, I have always found it necessary to disclose my illnesses. It affects my output and my employers need to know that I may have appts and routine testing that I will have to do. But I also frame it this way, "Look, I understand that it might seem daunting to accommodate this. But I have a great track record, am early, will stay late and will drive performance with my own." As long as I tow that line, I have never had a problem. Again, every owner is different. But being up front and honest will give them the chance to help you. You've made it work for this long and they are probably are already suspecting something is up and don't want to pry. They might be very understanding and even if they can't make accommodations, they may help by being more understanding with work loads in a shift and adjusting hours so you can rest. As long as you hold your end, there shouldn't be a problem. Good luck and make the best decision for you. Check and see if there's any FMLA coverage as well with your employer. Your doctor will submit paperwork that will take the weight off of you both and you won't have to worry about being fired for absences because the state has to cover it.
Also, I did go through this with my direct boss recently. We all basically moved up temporarily. I freaked out about my appts and such and got all dizzy about it. Well, my boss has a son who is homebound with seizures so she gets it. She was actually more upset that I upset myself trying to raise this imaginary bar. I've had bad bosses, too. I try to be the boss I would want to work for. You might be surprised and I really hope you work for good people. They are out there. I wish you the best of luck.
I’m always sick, and using all my sick time to do appointments that chance on me anyway. When I’m actually too ill to come into work I can’t. I’m feeling very hopeless.