I left my temporary job in 2019 after the completion of the holidays.

43 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 30,2022 at 3:20PM UTC

   I’m so sorry this happened to you, it must have been a horrible experience. Please tell me you visited with a doctor to address these chronic health issues? What you’re describing sounds extreme and like a result of uncontrolled diabetes.

   I can’t speak to applying for disability benefits so I’d be curious to see if you qualify. I’m not clear on how aggressively you’ve pursued medical interventions, though.

   Best wishes for a speedy resolution.

2. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 9:04AM UTC

   Yes taking steps to get things in control. I found I have Type 2 Diabetes which is under control. The yeast infection not so much. It is hard when you need help, but can't get it.

3. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 12:36PM UTC

   How very frustrating. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Overcoming excess yeast in your body can be hard, but not impossible. MDs don't always have the best answer as some medications can actually make it worse. Speaking from my own, somewhat similar experience, (I'm not in the medical field) seek out a natural chiropractor, a kinesiologist, or try an acupuncturist who specializes in Chinese medicine. Although I see an MD yearly for bloodwork and other annual checkups, all of these options have helped me in ways medical doctors haven't. Worth a shot. Good luck!

4. AnonymousOctober 30,2022 at 3:50PM UTC

   I’m sorry this happened to you. I think it is a reason to file disability. Do you see yourself working in the future? Have you taken any steps to correct these health issues since then?

5. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 8:59AM UTC

   Yes I've taken steps to correct my health problems only to add more issues. Won't go into details, but the only way I see myself working is remotely.

6. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 6:09PM UTC

   Thanks for responding! I think it’s important to follow up and work on correcting issues. I’m hoping it’ll get better for you!

7. ReiOctober 31,2022 at 12:22PM UTC

   are you okay? this is a public forum?

8. Debbie ManningOctober 31,2022 at 12:23PM UTC

   mean

9. Sophia BandaOctober 31,2022 at 12:24PM UTC

   Comments like these should not be allowed in this forum.

10. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 12:30PM UTC

    I completely agree. I have flagged it.

11. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 12:26PM UTC

    The infection part I never experienced but I can relate as far as being a diabetic. I’m type 2 diabetic as well it’s really important to follow through with your appointments yes diabetic is a disability and if it’s not controlled it could lead into you having neuropathy in your feet which will cause you to have numbness and pains. Hope everything goes well for you

12. Tabitha CameronOctober 31,2022 at 12:31PM UTC

    How is this comment helpful?

13. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 12:37PM UTC

    Why such a long break from working?

    I don't think having an oder is necessarily a disability nor is being pre-diabetic. There are prescription medications that would address both your sugar levels and your yeast infections so you might request those from your pcp.

14. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 12:43PM UTC

    That is terrible! Please tell me the yeast infection went away at least since 2019. I have had several of them but never had a bad smell from it. Did you find out why that was happening?

15. Valerie RiegerOctober 31,2022 at 12:58PM UTC

    I've had to have the conversation with numerous people over my career. I assure you, your boss and his boss were just as uncomfortable as you were.

    I pray that your health issues are getting better or have resolved themselves.

16. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 12:58PM UTC

    Unfortunately, I did have a similar experience once. Yet, I was doing computer work a while back. I wore some cologne that I received as a Christmas present. Granted the cologne was really strong. One of the customers complained about the cologne that I wore. I winded up just giving the cologne away.

17. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 1:18PM UTC

    Many firms have moved to letting customer service phone-based reps be fully remote. You might want to explore that option since it sounds like you're a talented worker, and that would help you not stress as much about your health issues. I hope you are able to get the health issues resolved.

18. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 1:24PM UTC

    Honestly, I kind of hope you don’t qualify for disability. I feel bad about your health issues, as I have health issues of my own. Im a quadriplegic. There are tons of jobs out there. It took me a bit to find a job that I could do despite my disability. Im sure if you keep looking, you can find something too. Disability should be LAST resort.

19. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 2:16PM UTC

    Good advice. Disability is for those who truly cannot work and claims like this call into question all claims, including those with far more validity. The fact that you persevered and looked for a job that was a fit for you is admirable. We know a young woman with a wheelchair and a service dog. She navigates living, working, and going to school in NYC! I have the utmost respect for her.

20. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 6:37PM UTC

    Diabetes/ pre diabetes are listed as disabilities. Yes quadriplegic is a disability and quite serious. After taking a class on adapted physical education I had to learn about the full spectrum of disabilities. I’m not here to judge what the op is going through… she’s reiterated in responses that she’s taken steps to correct her health and I don’t have a problem if she needs to collect disability now. With diabetes it could get worse. If she collects after irreversible damage I guess that’s okay to some people. At least she’s trying bc diabetes is more and more common and there are so many who don’t take their doctor’s advice seriously. No one should be working just to become sicker and sicker. We have a lot of sick people in the workforce right now.

21. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 1:33PM UTC

    I’m not sure chronic yeast infections will qualify you for disability payments.

22. Cynthia Armistead NewmanOctober 31,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

    FWIW, if your blood sugar levels run high you're much more likely to have yeast infections. Speak with your physician about getting control of your sugar and the yeast infection problem.

    As serious as diabetes is, I sincerely doubt that you'll be approved for disability on the basis of the issues you've described.

    Have you considered a work-from-home job? You wouldn't be exposed to any fragrances because you would control your environment. It's very easy to find WFH jobs in customer service.

23. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 1:52PM UTC

    You might consider seeking help from a naturopathic doctor. Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride wrote a book titled Gut and Psychology Syndrome and another titled Gut and Physiology Syndrome. There are several trained GAPS practitioners that can help steer you in the right direction of healing your body, starting with the gut.

    If you have an odor, it may not solely be related to sugar levels. It could be related to magnesium levels. It's worth getting the support so you can return to work without feeling like you need to be reclusive for the remainder of your life.

    Wishing you health!

24. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 2:23PM UTC

    It sounds like it was a necessary conversation to have (as uncomfortable as it is for everyone involved). I don't think you'd be able to get disability but a follow up with your doc or doc is probably necessary. Talk to them about this specific issue, you have an odor that some are finding offensive, what can be done to address. Maybe you have something else going on or try some sort of treatment that hasn't been considered or whatever.

    But yeah, don't mask it with perfume or body spray or whatever (that's more offensive in my book).

25. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 3:37PM UTC

    Get with a nutritionist too. It may be necessary to adjust your diet because of the way your body is metabolizing some foods and omitting certain odors

26. KIM MILLEROctober 31,2022 at 5:50PM UTC

    Unfortunately, when I was a supervisor I had a team of clerks, 2 African-American females and 1 Caucasian. There was a co-worker who sat in the cube with my team and approached myself and my manager stating she needed to be moved because the 2 AA females wore perfume and she was allergic. However, she had no complaints with sitting in a cube with the 1 Caucasian female who also wore a distinctly strong perfume from the drug store... hmmm

27. Sunny DaysOctober 31,2022 at 11:28PM UTC

    They could have been treating her different

28. Shelby COctober 31,2022 at 5:52PM UTC

    I am going to be blunt. Body odor is not a disability. Unless you have a medical reason that prohibits you from working for a year or more, you will not be approved; however, hurt feelings are not included either.

    I strongly encourage you to work with a therapist to move past this unfortunate incident that should have been handled better and get a new endocrinologist that is more aggressive and a nutritionist. I used to be in HR and a Drug Abatement Program Manager. I trained all of my supervisors to smell for fruity sugars and ketones instead of alcohol because I did not want a diabetic to be accused of drinking at work. They need additional training.

29. Kristie WhiteOctober 31,2022 at 6:47PM UTC

    I have been the person who had to address this with an employee. I am sure it was heartbreaking and embarrassing for you. It is an extremely uncomfortable conversation for both sides because it stands to reason that if someone is good at their job, they are intelligent enough to manage their own hygiene. I am glad that you responded by assuring the managers of your hygiene habits and that you had other issues that may be causing the smell. I once worked with a co-worker who was heavily into health vitamins and the garlic pills she took were NOT popular. So - here's my advice. I doubt you will qualify for disability, but I'm not sure that is good for you either. If you are used to working, disability may be isolating. Plus, disability will not likely pay as well as a normal job. So I would suggest that first you document the potential smells with a written medical opinion. By gaining that documentation, you have proof that this is not a manufactured excuse for preferential treatment. The documentation may also provide you some coverage under the ADA regulations. Next, be up front with a potential employer and ask for accommodations, i.e. a remote position working from home, a cubicle or office that is removed from others, etc. I don't think you should have to share your personal health information and the medical documentation will give you protection from that. But by telling them you have medical conditions that can cause odors that make co-workers uncomfortable, you have alerted them to the accommodation need. And frankly, it releases you from some of the stress of being constantly vigilant about your health and potential odors. Everyone's health fluctuates, some days will be off no matter what. Then - find the job that you want once you have these steps in place. Yes - it was a traumatizing event. But the silver lining may be that you take control, document, and upgrade your management so you can have a full and healthy life instead of hiding from embarrassment :)

30. r francisOctober 31,2022 at 7:55PM UTC

    Seriously this is funny to you? Wow!

31. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 8:06PM UTC

    Ha...ha..ha very funny. NOT!

32. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 8:21PM UTC

    What reason did you file for disability? I am not sure we have all the info to help you. Though as someone else mentioned in the comments, there are plenty of WFH jobs out there in customer service. Have you tried applying for any of those so you are not working with other people?

33. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 9:23PM UTC

    Because that was exactly my suspicion.

34. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 11:44PM UTC

    No, but you might be racist too...

35. AnonymousNovember 1,2022 at 2:25AM UTC

    I think making some changes to your diet to address your pre-diabetes, you medications, supplements for your persistent yeast issues and look into hormonal therapy for the resulting order would greatly help if not resolve these issues.

36. Mary MeffeNovember 1,2022 at 3:42AM UTC

    Good customer service people are in high demand. Set up a home office and don't go into a call center. They are full of germs anyway. People are always coming in to work with colds, flu, sore throat, or COVID. Apply to a company called Liveops. You may have to invest about $1000 in a computer, monitors, and high speed internet but you will make that back in no time. Remote work is the future and can be a great opportunity for you. You will set your own hours and won't complicate your life by dealing with the kind of people who cause others to feel hurt.

37. Cynthia Armistead NewmanNovember 1,2022 at 6:23PM UTC

    Is LiveOps one of those that charges you to "start your own business" ? If so, I wouldn't recommend it. There are too many legitimate opportunities that don't require that. Rat Race Rebellion is one site that lists vetted job opportunities and leans heavily to WFH customer service positions.

38. Shelby CNovember 1,2022 at 4:15AM UTC

    "I've had to follow behind and correct the mistakes of a disabled person." ~ Anonymous, Ableist Commenter Above

    Your issue is not with me - it is with 'them' and 'the system'. I've been medically retired for over fifteen years due to a terminal illness that's invisible.

    1/3 of America is pre-diabetic. That's not a disability. I'm pre-diabetic. My husband's diabetic and works EVERY day.

39. AnonymousNovember 1,2022 at 5:04AM UTC

    You should educate yourself on the full spectrum of disabilities. The op has a right to file.

    my point about having to fix the mistakes of someone else was a complaint on a company and not the actual person themselves. Some companies will take correct measures to assist disabled workers. Some hire people who specialize in the specific disability to work with the person.

    many diabetic people work, many people with varying disabilities work. I have no problem with that. There are case by case basis and you don’t qualify to make this decision for the op.

    I’m sorry you have an invisible terminal illness. Being invisible I’m sure many don’t understand and In A nutshell that’s a problem when we start to judge what people can and cannot do because of how we see their disability. She’s working on her health issues and never said I’m going to go on disability indefinitely. There is a wide spectrum of disabilities. Some people choose not to disclose their disabilities in the workplace and I support that too.

40. Diane ReidNovember 1,2022 at 10:55AM UTC

    I’m sorry you’re dealing with this! I've seen this issue in the past and it always came down to the person’s clothes, not their hygiene. Make sure your clothes aren’t the problem by always wearing freshly laundered clothes to work.

41. AnonymousNovember 1,2022 at 3:21PM UTC

    I worked with a woman in the past that had health issues and had to work with an endocrinologist, she had terrible body odor and no amount of deodorant helped. Another time I had to give this news to an employee who did not believe in using deodorant and used rubbing alcohol for deodorant. He felt horrible and did start to use something more effective. it is a touchy subject, to be on either end, the person receiving this news, or the one giving it. I would work with a doctor to determine if there is something you can do. I have a sensitivity to any strong scents and thankfully work in healthcare where any scent is prohibited. Best of luck, and do let us know what your outcome is!

42. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdNovember 2,2022 at 1:54PM UTC

    Hello,

    I'm so very sorry you were the subject of this conversation. As a supervisor, I've had to give this talk to someone - and I did not enjoy it at all.

    One thing I will offer: If you know you have medical conditions that can cause this issue - I would have stated something when I was being interviewed. By doing so, your employer could've made allowances along with explanations for others who would make a complaint.

43. AnonymousNovember 2,2022 at 8:44PM UTC

    Sorry for the late response!

    I'm a Type 1 Diabetic also and am in your shoes too. Not that it is any compensation. However, at least you didn't have your coworkers sabotaging your work, not inviting you to company gatherings, and/or straight out lying to you when you need answers. I've also been made fun of for wearing a "beeper" when it was an insulin pump. I've also had rumors that started with I don't bath to I'm a deranged drug user because I carry needles. The same rumor goers also said they invaded my privacy by filming me in the bathroom. (Just a rumor that no one will admit to and not admissible in court. If Management was participating in it, they let it happen anyway. It continues when they call you crazy. I cried at that one!)

    Most of the answers involving our disease points to glucose. What no one has said insofar is that we carry different bacteria from normal people. No amount of bathing helps. (I used to take two (2) a day.) We will also have more yeast infections than usual because of the influx in glucose.

    Moreover, I was lucky enough to WFH during the pandemic. It was advertised as 40 hrs a week and I ended up working closer to 60 and charging 46 or 48 hrs instead. (I never included an hr. for lunch and dinner, any bathroom breaks, and times where I was just slowing down. Yes, burnout happened when I jumped to the next WFH job. Worse than the first b/c there was no training and we were micromanaged.)

    Additionally, I've always checked off the disability box on applications, but have never relayed that info. on an interview. Many places will not hire a candidate with health issues. It raises insurance premiums. They are also afraid of having to give PTO or even nonpaid sick leave.

    Nevertheless, I encourage you to Work From Home instead. At minimum, it takes away from the stress of a commute, worrying about food, stressing about illnesses around you and dealing with terrible people.

    Much support to you!