Sabatoged myself

Question

I was told today that the owner of the place I work for wants us Night staff personnel to start working 12 hour shift to be able to keep our pay grade. We already work 10 1/2 hr shifts.  I had to admit to the director that at 56 this job is already taking a toll on my physical wellness and that I didn't think I could manage another 1 1/2 hr without putting myself at risk for an injury. I'm afraid now that I may have sabotaged my job and put myself in a firing position.  Is there another way I should have handled this, or was being honest the best course? My job is already physically challenging to the point I'm in constant pain and I've already fell once although I didn't go to the dr out of fear of being fired.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't know where the rest of you live but I do know at my age (66) I thank the employment gods each day I can go into work.  Without it I'd be the crazy woman eating cat food casseroles.  Find another job?  Have any of you 'older' women tried to find a job lately?  In a town the size I live in, about 30K people, I have a job I make a pittance at but will hang on to it for as long as I possibly can no matter what roadblocks they toss in front of me.  Even tho my house and car are paid for and my needs are small I still depend on the income from this just barely over minimum wage job as social security is not going to cover the no frills bills I do have, such as utilities.  So many of you have such good ideas with attorneys and civil cases, etc. but practically speaking some of us just have to suck it up and smile and say thank you for handing me more 'stuff' on a stick so I can collect that paycheck.  Its a hard reality and its getting worse, not better.

Anonymous · Answer

Angel - there are two ways to approach the situation.  You can spend your time trying to rectify this situation with attorneys and physicians.  The key there is 'more time' added to your already difficult schedule to put this in motion.  Filing complaints, attorneys, physicians...they all cost you time, money and a hard time for your soul.  No, it's not right, no...they absolutely should NOT be treating you this way.    You can either spend your energy fighting, which I understand because it's ethically unfair.  However, from someone who has been through this legal stuff with physicians, etc., it will cost you more $, time and grief than finding a new job.  After you get a new job, find a counselor to talk with.  Talk to friends.  Create posts without your name about the employer and their practices.  I'm also your age.  It's exhausting and your job isn't helping.  You can be right and file or you can be right and spend your time where it will help you.    Have someone help you with a resume, find a better/higher paying job and be nice to yourself.  I've been there...I wouldn't go the legal route again - it wasn't worth it.

Angela Stockton · Answer

'Sabatoged'--huh?  Angel herself spelled 'sabotaged' correctly, so who wrote that subject line? Is it some kind of in-joke?

Anonymous · Answer

You may also want to consult your state's OSHA and Workman's Comp board, as well as review your FMLA policy. You should go to the doctor immediately to establish a correlation between your physical issues and your job. If there is one, you will need to engage an attorney to help with the process, which may continue even after you've left your job. Every state has different rules - particularly 'right to work' states. As such, you really need to get legal advice ASAP and say nothing more to your employer. Document everything and keep copies of the 12-hour requirement, your hours and your pay stubs. If you have copies of your reviews, make sure you have copies of those, as well as any email/written communications between yourself and your managers.

Abigail Ropp · Answer

Some employment attorneys will do a free consultation and there may be local law clinics in your community or through a nearby law school. You’re not being treated well, and I’m so sorry! You weren’t wrong to tell your employer and you didn’t sabotage yourself; they’re putting you in an untenable position. Since you’re already struggling with the shifts, it may be worth looking into a workplace accommodation, at least while you look for a new job, that could at least limit the number of hours you work in a day/week. Good luck!

BeaBoss979975 · Answer

Be careful what you say about why you are looking to change employer. I have my own autoimmune disease and can't imagine how you are managing now!

Maggie Stone · Answer

Hello Angel,

I don't believe you sabotaged yourself, you took an honest assessment of your limits and expressed that.  It sounds like you are working at a place that doesn't value you or the other employees, and that must be awful. I am so sorry that you are going through this.

My question is this: if this is a place that leaves you so fearful of taking time off to make sure you are healthy enough to do the job, is this a place you really want to fight to stay? Is this a battle you want to fight? If the answer is yes, I would go the legal/medical route in order to protect yourself.  If the answer is no, I agree with anonymous; I would activate your network immediately, find another job, and exit as quickly and gracefully as possible. If you are undecided, make a pro/con list for each side and list all possible consequences and outcomes, even if they are unlikely. Whichever route you choose, I would act quickly for the sake of your health or before the decision is made for you.

rlackovich · Answer

Anonymous speaks from a position of wisdom -- please consider if the legal fight is worth it.  It could take years for resolution.   Thinking of you -- wishing you the best.

Angel Waters · Answer

Update
So we got word this week we will have to start working from 9:30 pm to 8:30 am for 16 days on with 2-5 days off. Gotta love Texas ugh.. Guess I will be looking for a new job soon as my Dr is sending me to see a rheumatologist in the near future due to increasing health problems. Thank you everyone for the advice and care you all have shown to me.

Barb Hansen · Answer

is it 12 hours days, 5 days a week (which sounds illegal to me) or 12 hour shifts with a 2-on/3-off rotation (which is a common shift work practice)?

If you are working a 5 day week at 10+ hours, that's hard on any body, as I imagine you don't have the right number of lunch, dinner and coffee breaks.

Switching to the 2/3 day rotation at 12 hours a day with the correct number of lunch, dinner and coffee breaks might work better for you.

I worked in healthcare early in my career and I learned to love 12 hours shifts (with proper breaks) because you only had two or three of them to get through before you got days off.  Mind you, I wasn't lifting (and I respect the fact that as we age, we can not do the physical work that we could in the past), but the work was very stressful (most days) and having that 2 or 3 day break was great!

Sabatoged myself

You're invited.

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