Oh my gosh, guys, I can't even.

Anonymous

March 30,2022 at 1:59AM UTC

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Oh my gosh, guys, I can't even. I just returned to work today after over 7 weeks out on medical leave. I was asked to report to a different site from where I have been working since October, a site for which I had to advocate for myself to my supervisor to move there. I was informed that my supervisor is no longer my supervisor and that I am not working at that site any longer. The site is only 2 miles from my home and I got to sit by a huge east-facing window, which is very good for my mental health. By making this change I was able to significantly reduce my daily stress level, which supports me staying healthy and not giving in to the major depression which I have suffered my entire life.

I feel like in one fell swoop the healthy changes I worked hard for were completely erased, and I didn't get so much as a heads up from anyone that it was happening. Suddenly I am working full time again, after having had a reduced schedule of only 30 hours a week prior to my leave, and, to add insult to injury, the new site where I'm told I have to work is over 18 miles away and usually about 30 minutes' drive in *good* traffic. In bad traffic it's 45 minutes to an hour. So not only do I have the stress of working a full schedule, I have to deal with traffic, too.

To top it off, my poor cat, whom I adopted in October, is really stressed by the abrupt change, which he lets me know by vomiting.

This kind of change is par for the course for this agency that I work with, but man, I'm really thinking about putting in my notice. For being a behavioral health agency, they don't offer any support to an employee who has a mental health challenge. I've worked there for ten years and I think they want me there, but they don't seem to be able to support me as a person at all.

What advice can you offer me?

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Anne KrookMarch 30,2022 at 3:14AM UTC
Ugh, I am so sorry. Were you reasons for the previous changes documented with HR? Is there anyone at the company you trust to ask, in confidence (your former supervisor?), why these changes were made?
If I were you, I would start updating your resume and researching other opportunities. If you can work there a little while and stay healthy, it's always easier to land a job from a job, but also look at your budget and figure out how long you would be without work. And if the reasons for your previous changes were documented, you can look into state laws to see if undoing those changes gives you any rights (e.g. to unemployment) if you have to quit.
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 6:07PM UTC
Thanks Anne. I don't know if the reasons for the previous change were documented, but I have a meeting with the HR director today and I will ask about that. I appreciate your suggestion!
Diane RiveraApril 1,2022 at 1:16PM UTC
Update us, please!
AnonymousMarch 30,2022 at 4:54PM UTC
I am so sorry to hear this. I agree Anne about trying to find out why these changes were made — maybe, and hopefully, there's a way to revert them.
AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 12:54PM UTC
The suggestions already made are good. The other thing I'd mention is if you need specific schedule and location accommodations for your mental health and they were previously negotiated only with your then-supervisor, I'd get them officially documented and in your record as official accommodations. Hopefully you are able to get back to your previous site.
AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 1:22PM UTC
Here are the requirements for FMLAif you are in the U.S. https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/whdfs28a.pdf
Many times, people think that it requires employers to do more for an employee's return to work than it does. The phrase "including shift and location" might be a gray area. Certainly, things like an East-facing window are not likely to fall under that.
AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 1:44PM UTC
None of this really surprises me. I've heard this story over and over again across many different Industries. You're out for a while and when you come back you're suddenly told that your job has changed, your location has changed your supervisor has changed and your job responsibilities have changed. If you work in an at-will state there honestly isn't much you can do. You can talk and argue and investigate but at the end of the day, those making decisions are going to do what they want to do. Don't count on human resources to be able to do a whole lot for you in fact it might make your situation even worse where they offer you an ultimatum. Stay under the radar and keep looking. Also, look closely at your own self talk. I hear a lot of negativity and feeling victimized, which I know is the voice of your long-standing depression. But identify it and don't let it identify you or characterize who you really are. You sound like a good person and I'm sorry this is all happening to you but welcome to Corporate America. I worked for a Behavioral Health Organization for almost three years and a very responsible position and I received absolutely no respect from management which is why I even truly left. It is super ironic that mental health organizations largely don't give a crap about their own employees
AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 7:33PM UTC
I hear you, sister!
Isaac Tucker-RasburyApril 1,2022 at 1:55PM UTC
You said you’ve been at this agency for 10 years? Well, if they’re taking you for granted, it may be time to move.
No one will advocate for you and your cat’s needs like you can :). So, if moving to a new job is in the cards for you, maybe it’s worth considering to get the best set up for you.
Keyairra S. WrightApril 1,2022 at 2:31PM UTC
I agree with some of the advice shared so far. When I returned to work after an extended leave, I considered some of these questions to help me through:
- Am I ready to return to work and do I want to?
- How do I envision my ideal return-to-work experience?
- When can I share this vision with my manager or HR?
- What can I do if I have concerns?
- Who has the influence to support me in having the most productive and balanced experience possible?
I created a return to work plan with my reflections to those questions. Then, I shared this plan with my manager and asked for their input.
Especially because you think they want you there, are you able to present to them your ideal situation? Maybe they can adjust your current circumstances; maybe you'll better understand their decisions; or maybe you'll have more information to inform your decision to resign or remain.
Either way, I hope for your ongoing positive health! Good luck at work.
A'Sheana WhiteApril 1,2022 at 4:53PM UTC
I very much agree with a lot of what is being said. You should definitely reiterate what you need to be successful with this organization, remind them of the time you have been there, and emphasize that you are of value to them.
If they dont hear you, and are not willing to make the proper adjustments, then I would say start looking for an organization that will.
Debbie VerebApril 1,2022 at 5:35PM UTC
You are your own best advocate. You did it before, so go do it now if this is the place you want to stay. Good luck!
Kristie WhiteApril 1,2022 at 8:53PM UTC
The cobbler's children have no shoes! All of their effort is client focused while their own employees are neglected. Call them out on it - as Gandhi said - "be the change you seek."
Ingrid ArranApril 2,2022 at 12:07AM UTC
Sometimes we need a HUGE sign that it's time to move on from a job for our own mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
I think you got your sign. I hope you start searching for a new job immediately because what matters right now is your health and that of your cat (we must advocate for ourselves & those who don't have a voice!). Wishing you all the best!!
Paula BrantnerApril 2,2022 at 8:03PM UTC
The "major depression which [you] have suffered your entire life" is almost certainly a disability covered by the ADA. I don't know what you communicated to them when advocating for yourself back in October, but I would get your mental health provider and HR involved to get the return to your previous site part of a reasonable accommodation. They would have to engage in an interactive process before concluding that they couldn't accommodate you, and you being able to work in that location before would make it harder for them to argue that they couldn't accommodate you.
If they cannot support you out of basic humanity, then they may need a boost from their legal obligations.
AnonymousApril 3,2022 at 4:06AM UTC
Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions. I have found this board to be very helpful and will keep coming back! I tried to do what they wanted for the whole week but by Friday I was so exhausted I could barely stand up or think. Anonymous is so right when saying, "It is super ironic that mental health organizations largely don't give a crap about their own employees!"
On Friday when my Program Director was checking in with me I talked about how hard it was and she basically just said, "This is the way it is and if you don't like it then give your notice." That is exactly what I did! April 15 will be my last day. I applied for a job on Friday night and will keep applying to other jobs, too!
I'm self-identifying in my applications as having a disability, but, as Paula suggested below, I'm going to work with a doctor to get an ADA accommodation letter because I just can't manage 40 hours a week! Following the comments by Anne and Maryann I realized I need this documented.
Stephanie F, MSHRMApril 17,2022 at 11:53PM UTC
I'm glad you are seeking the ADA accommodation letter.
It always seems to me in these cases that they are just trying to push the person out so they can't be sued for firing you instead when they knew you had mental health issues that needed them to accommodate you. They figured you wouldn't bother to push back... So sorry you had to go through this and hope you find another job as soon as possible.
Karol MooneyApril 7,2022 at 11:45PM UTC
Find a work-from-home position. Are you a Social Worker? Try getting in touch with Marie Pepper... she has classes to learn to be a remote/ work from home for nurses and social workers. Look her up on Facebook and speak to her. Even if you aren't a Social Worker she may have some advice for you.