My company has been working remotely for the past two years.

My company has been working remotely for the past two years. In May, we are expected to come back to the office at least 3 days a week. I spoke with my boss yesterday and told her that I cannot, mentally or physically, return to the office in person. I have underlying health problems and extreme anxiety. I work in a big city which was always crowded and I am very concerned that I’ll be jeopardizing my health. The city also has tons of traffic and I used to drive to work but parking is scarce & is now $35/day (plus gas & tolls).

The past two years have worked out great for me and the company. I am always available by phone, text or email. The boss never has to wonder if I’m working; she is copied on all of my ongoing projects. I am the only one who does my particular job (not saying that others couldn’t learn, I know we are all replaceable) but it is a challenging position. I have always gotten rave reviews from whoever I work with and get along with everyone.

My boss asked if I’m going out of the house now. I do go to the supermarket once a week (with a mask). She said that I went to Florida in December. This is true—I went for 2 days for a funeral for a close family member. She knew this and honestly, I never would have gone if it wasn’t necessary.

Some employees of my company do work remotely all the time (my department is the exception). I really love my job and want to stay.

Any suggestions on how to convince management that working remotely could be a good thing for me and the company?

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  1. Anonymous

    No, unfortunately it's completely up to them. Many many are in the same situation and seek new employment.

    It's not the argument, it's a preference of the company.

  2. Anonymous

    Dear...
    I am so sorry for you. This situation does not support your mental health at all and the stress only adds to escalation of your medical conditions both mentally and physically.
    The company is technically allowed to require you back in the office as the position has not changed since prior to the pandemic. However you do have several options here - each depending on your own strength and will to move forward.
    Option 1: be honest, understanding and direct. Tell your manager that you simply cannot return to office physically. And if forced; you most likely will experience a worsening in your health stage. Do not explain the time and money to spend for commuting. That is irrelevant for your employer. In regards to underlying physical conditions; be carefull how and what you share of information unless you have received - recently - a doctors diagnose and is willing to accept a potential resignation from your employer for not informing them correctly and in due time.
    Option 2: Suggest that you work hybrid and only join the office once per week "to start with" and for an agreed period with possibility to assess e.g. in 4 or 6 months. Be prepared that your employer most likely will ask you by then to return full time to office. However: this gives you time to deside whether you can cope with returning to office or whether you should seek employment in another department (or company) that accepts you working 100 pct. remote.
    Option 3: Depending on your competences and financial situation, consider to request transfer to a different department - and ultimately accept a resignation. But this option should only be in case you simply cannot return at all due to your mental health.
    Unfortunately your employer has already made an exception of your department for working completely remotely. However: considering the need for qualified and dedicated employees may be reason for why your employer accepts to "bend" the rules in your case. At the end it comes down to your competences, your reputation and proven track record for achievements vs. whether it is easy or difficult for the company can replace you.
    I wish you all the best and please remember: at the end of the day we are only talking about a job. It all depends on your own strength and will to move forward. Please share updates on process and outcome of your choice for way forward. Friendly regards, Anita

  3. Anonymous

    OMG, tell your employer that you're going to have a meltdown if you don't get your way?? This sounds like something a petulant child would say. This is like a professional temper tantrum! Just my situation, but my employer doesn't respond well to threats. This is high-risk advice.

  4. Anonymous

    Dear.... I have changed the word Meltdown to: a worsening in your health stage to soften up the wording of consequences. As our fellow fairy tell us that she can only cope with going to the supermarket once per week, I actually do not see it as a threat or a risk, but as a consequence.

  5. Anonymous

    I worked with my physician and HR to file for an ADA, due to asthma & underlying health issues it wasn't safe for me to return to taking public transportation & an open office. Sadly it expires in May and I will return to the office 3 days a week. But I will be re-filling in the Fall (or earlier if I feel it is necessary). So, my best advice is to work with your doctor & contact your HR department. Admittedly, having the reputation as an exceptional employee really helps but ADA covers you when there are health issues &/or physical disabilities and reasonable accommodations are required.

    Best of luck!

  6. Anonymous

    I was in the same situation at the height of delta. The labor market is tight, I quit - found a new remote first job before my two weeks notice was up, and they have yet to replace me. Companies that cannot or will not have flexibility will lose employees. Id pursue documented medical accommodation while applying for other positions now and then if they are not fair and reasonable let them know you arr left without choice. Let them dismiss you and colllect unemployment until you find a better sitch. No employer should jeopardize your health.

  7. Anonymous

    Idk, I feel like requiring 3 days a week in office is being flexible. It’s a compromise

  8. Madeline M.

    Well - I'd like to ask - what did you do before Covid? Companies are under no obligation to allow remote work if they believe its more beneficial to be in the office. There are pros and cons to both but what I'm finding is people using excuses to justify staying at home. We've always had the ebbs and flows of gas prices and transportation costs. Its sounds like your boss is trying to reason with you in that you will get out of your house for things that are super important so how important is your job? I get it - I've worked report for almost 2 years and my company is slowing requiring us to come back full time and not everyone is happy about it. When we first went home, there were those who had to adjust not being use to the isolation. Its another adjustment which I hope you can adjust to. Good luck.

  9. Anonymous

    Well your boss clearly isn't understanding of your concerns about returning to the office. I would speak with your medical provider about getting an ADA accommodation for work.

    After you turn it in, I would watch your boss closely. The fact that she made mention to personal things (going to the grocery store, attending a funeral) to try and make a point about returning to work, is concerning.

  10. Anonymous

    This is concerning to me because I recently left my job after more than a decade for these very same reasons. I also was the only person in the company who could do my job and was forced to go back into the office after 2 years working remotely. I loved my job, but it came to the point of not being able to work for the people running the show. I was reporting directly to the owner of the company, so this was an issue of company culture that was just not going to change. Is your boss a key decision maker in the company or is this decision coming down to him or her from higher management? I find that some companies aren’t as concerned with how coming back to the office impacts the employee, so if you can somehow quantify your productivity to show it’s higher at home, that may help. Happier employees=more productive employees

  11. Rachel Schreiber

    Your boss may even agree with you, but they have to also sell the idea to the decision makers. I suggest you present data that your boss can take directly to them in am effort to streamline the process and make your request consumable. Helpful data could include your output and successes while working remotely. Unhelpful data would include your feelings about going back to work.

  12. Alexis Schrader

    Definitely talk to your mental health provider about providing documentation that would support the disability accommodation others are recommending.

    In the meantime, lots of companies, especially those with younger management, have recognized that remote positions can work well. Look for another fully remote position you can either leave for or use as leverage in the conversation with your boss.

  13. Jessica Madden

    I’ve read a few of the comments, and my opinion may not be popular, but I am in HR and we are trying to move back into a similar thing - 3 days a week in office and 2 days home. We have a lot of employees who feel as you do, but the bottom line is that for many work places, work from home was never intended to be forever. It was good to be able to do when needed, but it is no longer necessary. Being in office, having face to face conversations, sending fewer emails and actually interacting with coworkers is a part of what makes many offices functional. If you have a serious health issue, there should be an avenue for you to get a reasonable accommodation and your doctor can attest to what your needs are. But you were doing the in-office thing before all this, and the world is getting back to normal. I love that there is now a balance. 4 days home (because of weekends) and 3 days at work feels great! To me it was a change for the better to be able to have that balance I was missing. However, if my work requires me to be in office sometimes as part of my job duties (& I love and truly enjoy my work), then I would be being insubordinate to say otherwise.

  14. Anonymous

    Honestly. comments like these are why people hate HR...

  15. Anonymous

    Why is that? Because the company has needs as well as the employees? Because everyone talks about getting back to normal except when it is inconvenient to do so? And yes, anxiety is a serious, real health issue. If anxiety is an issue then get help for it.

    Also, keep in mind that just because work has been done remotely does not mean that it is the most effective way to do the job. It isn't just about the person doing the job it's about the whole team.

  16. Kimberly Worrick

    Go back and reread the description of her job. I am not getting the impression she is part of a team but seems to work more of a solo position. Since she stated her job is always done, she is always available I'd say the company needs are being met. Perhaps you might want to do some introspective analysis of your antipathy to the situation and resolve personality issues apparent in your response.

  17. Anonymous

    What Kimberly said below plus the last sentence from the other commenter who I was responding to originally:

    "However, if my work requires me to be in office sometimes as part of my job duties (I love and truly enjoy my work), then I would be being insubordinate to say otherwise."

    HR and upper mgt in a lot of workplaces is always going on about people being insubordinate and things employees are doing wrong (ie not kowtowing to the powers that be) but yet if you get high enough in an organization, you can often do what you want. It just seems awfully self righteous to say it's insubordinate for someone to not want to go back to the office. Especially when the OP seems to be able to do her job just fine remotely.

    I know the commenter was referring to how it would be insubordinate for the commenter not to go back to the office, but it seems like she could be projecting that same mindset on the OP.

  18. Anonymous

    seriously HR is just corporate's goons, absolutely useless and unaccommodating to anyone. the vast majority of people WANT to work from home but that doesn't let managers have 100% eyes on their employees and doesn't justify the buildings and office space that have to be paid for. Just don't be surprised when people quit and then the rest of the people stuck there complain that they have to do everyone's jobs. We are having trouble hiring right now because we won't allow 100% remote and no one wants to move to where my company is and people are quitting left and right. does HR or Sr leadership do anything to help the situation? NOPE

  19. Anonymous

    I hate how people think going back to the office is the end of the world, but I think face-to-face interactions are extremely overrated. I don’t work from home because we can’t with my job. My office stopped in person meetings during Covid and we all stayed at our desks to hold meetings. Everyone unanimously agreed to keep virtual meetings since the first in person meetings when we were getting back to normal were causing a decline in productivity.

  20. Kimberly Worrick

    At what, legal, point do you consider non work days to contribute to work days at home?

  21. Anonymous

    You can go back to work three days a week, you just don't want to. I'm sorry that you feel anxious, and though I wonder if your anxiety is about not knowing what it will be like or overestimating the risk. Perhaps a therapist can help you?

    This situation may be a no-win for you because even if you do convince your boss, if everyone else on your team is back in the office several days a week, your absence will be conspicuous and whatever it is you do will definitely start to be learned by others as you slowly become obsolete.

    If you just can't bring yourself to give the new situation a try, then it's time to look for new employment that is completely remote. But either way, try therapy.

    Life has lots of scary things and it's also wondrous and joyous. Don't allow your fears to hold you back from enjoying it.

  22. Cynthia Armistead Newman

    How dare you presume to know what she can do? Anxiety is a real, serious health issue. We're heading into another COVID wave. Underlying health issues make going back to work face-to-face a significant health risk for some people. They should be permitted to determine what's best for themselves with the advice of their own medical practitioners. If she could do her job remotely for two years, it makes no sense to demand that she do it in person now.

  23. Anonymous

    I have a friend who used to work for the EEOC. He said that jobs are going to have a hard time denying accommodations to work from home, especially if they just worked from home for two years with no issue.

  24. Anonymous

    I work for a law firm that has daily appointments with people requesting a wfh accommodation. This is no law or precident that supports making a company provide a work from home accommodation. These claims are routinely dismissed. If the employee worked from the office before they can do so again. It's completely up to the company to run their business as they see fit. Working from home is not seen as an accommodation that is legally mandated.

  25. Anonymous

    I’m not sure what law firm that you work at, but your statement of “if the employee worked from the office before they can do so again” is not so simple. It’s not about a business running it however they seem fit. It’s called a reasonable accommodation. Businesses are required, by law, to provide a reasonable accommodation to those under the ADA, including possible telework if the business has a telework policy. But you should know that since you work in a law firm. Of course, not all accommodations have to be 100% remote work but remote work (when reasonable) is often granted. I I know plenty of people with disabilities that have gotten permanent accommodations to work from home especially after proving many jobs can work from home with no problem. I’m sure like everything people can try to game the system and suddenly say they’re disabled to not have to return to the office, but hopefully that’s not the case.

  26. Anonymous

    Reasonable accommodation has never ever been a work from option.

  27. Anonymous

    "In its 1999 Enforcement Guidance on Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (revised 10/17/02), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said that allowing an individual with a disability to work at home may be a form of reasonable accommodation." https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/work-hometelework-reasonable-accommodation

  28. Anonymous

    You simply can't strong arm a company with your health issues to get your way. Thousands have tried and have been fired for not accommodating their employers wishes. Look for a 100% remote job.

  29. Laura Ann Klein

    Talk to your doctors and get a health stipulation for 100% W@H

  30. Tona Bobb

    You may not be able to convince them. Have a plan B that will meet your current needs if returning to an office is something you really cannot or do not want to do.

  31. Anonymous

    I’m surprised by some of the comments. There are laws in place to protect workers with disabilities from discrimination. If your condition is really that severe, you could be able to get an accommodation to work from home more often than not and should not be discriminated against for it. For people to act like your condition is just an excuse to not go back is pretty disgusting. I’ve seen people talk on this site about wanting to work from home because they want to spend time with their family more or have childcare issues and those people are supporters without issue.

    I have a disability and also have anxiety. While I do not currently work from home, I would like a job where I can because it would improve life. I would be in less pain and not have as many health issues from sitting in my wheelchair for as many hours during the day. Unfortunately, the working from home thing is out of hand. Too many people want to work from home for the wrong reasons and making bogus excuses to keep working from home. I feel that it is giving working from home a bad stigma.

    If your job really needs to be back in the office, I would advice looking for a job that is fully remote since it will better for your needs. Since I also have experience with anxiety, I feel that you probably should also seek help. Eliminating triggers that increase your anxiety is only going to make things worse for you down the line.

  32. Anonymous

    Agree with your point of seeking help. WFH will only be a temporary band-aid on the larger problem. Eventually she will not be able to hide at home any longer and will have to face being in public, and the longer she waits, the harder it will be.

  33. T

    We had to go back March 7th we didn't get to ease back into it.

    I have not only had the stress of the pandemic and getting sick but I also was diagnosed with Breast cancer and the port surgery was in May 2019 and the chemo treatments started a week after. I had no white count and so no immunity when we had no vaccine or any kind of treatment? I am single so I couldn't just go medical leave and my tirent manager just didn't care. I was not given flexible hours. I am salary so I should have flexibility but not my fortune 500 company. We were even part of Trumps pipe line for PPE committee ?. Are CEO was in with Jeff Bezos and we all got letters that we were essential work's from the President on Whitehouse letter head. My company was so full of bull when they said they were doing everything for worker and my location made me work at the office through my entire Chemo treatments and I couldn't be 10 min late or leave 15 min early. They wrote me up 4 times for things that I didn't do exactly the way the managers would have and tried to fire me in the middle of treatment the only thing that save me was we got a new market VP. They sent one person home to work she was the youngest of us and then told me I had to come in and I should be OK?i was in an open air office where 2 of 4 people didn't believe we had a Vires and did everything the same

    As they did before. Then they would come in and say the people they had spent the weekend with tested positive and still didn't were masks around me. In December 2019 I had surgery and took the medical leave I couldn't take the stress of working at a company that was so un carrying and had no empathy at all. It was so odd we have 89 or more locations in the US and more all over the world. When a man in our company was diagnosed with cancer they just pay him his regular salary and commission each month and they don't need to come in unless they want to? I was one of the 20% or so that got long term side effects I have neuropathy and can't walk well or feel

    my fingers, anchels or feet. Sometimes it like walking on glass shards or volcanic pumice ash and it feels like it is cutting into your feet or like walking on sharp pee gravel and you have sand or glass between your toes. You get pains like being electrical shocks or been stung by alot of bees of fire ants and it effects your balance and makes you fell like you have vertigo. I have another pill I have to take that make my bone and joints ache like they have been pulled and twisted. Any way I went back to work on April and they were back at it. All the healthy employees worked in the office 2 days and 3 from home

    I was told I could have 2 days home? 3 day in the office and they would pick my days? I hate the management in our department and I love what I do. I thought that having a Woman at the top was great

    We were finally getting out of the Good old boys network? But I was so wrong ! I talked about to the Office Manager and she told HR that it was unfair what they were doing to me and I guess they got in some hot water and I was told I could have the 3 days home and then it went to home all the time in January 2022. I need to leave this place but I am 7 months away from 30 year's. I know some the crap I get is because I know more than most of them and I am the one people ask how to do things and she heres my name over and over but women need to help each other not hurt each other . I have a very different situation then you but I may have to get a doctor's exception note for my issue

    I hope you succeed in staying home or a split or hybrid option for work.

  34. Anonymous

    So much going on here, I'll try to be concise as possible. I believe all of this has already been touched on by others, but here are my thoughts (note that I am not in HR, so this is not a legal/official position, just my experience):

    I think it's time you look for a new position. This is not a disagreement with your management over working conditions, this is a fundamental irreconcilable difference over how the job is to be performed. An employer can set the rules - for better or worse - about working on site vs working remotely, and nothing requires them to allow remote work. This is not a change to any employment contract or conditions, this is reverting back to normal. Your employer can require this, just as you can decide it's not the lifestyle you want anymore. There's no shame in changing your priorities, you just can't expect everyone else to change theirs to match yours. You need to make your life work for you.

    Yes, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation, but an RA does not mean you can dictate whatever you want. It needs to be a reasonable request that does not interfere with the employer's work (again, not legal advice, check with your HR for exact details). Your employer has declared your department needs to work on site, which it sounds like is reverting back to pre-Covid procedure. The work from home was meant to be temporary while there was a public health emergency. Did you have difficulties working in the office previously? Or with commuting? It sounds as though your current issues are all connected to Covid. How do you intend to deal with this moving forward? What if we start treating Covid like the flu (annoying and a possibly dangerous illness, but just something to live with)? Are you planning on never going out again ever for the rest of you life? Other than grocery shopping and funerals? (And with respect to funerals, people are going to jump on me for saying this, but funerals are not necessary. There are many possible and personal ways to grieve on our own, and I feel like people often feel required to attend them for appearance reasons.)

    Ask yourself honestly, for the past two years, have you really gone nowhere else, just the grocery store and a funeral? No doctor appointments? No going out for a brief coffee break? No walks through town? No farmers markets? No vigils/protests? No religious services? You haven't seen ANY family or friends in person? You spent every holiday home alone? You don't mention if you live with others - have any household members been out and about? And how did you get to the funeral - did you drive alone in your car? Did you fly? Take a train/bus/other public transit? How many people were at the funeral (doesn't sound like any capacity restrictions, because Florida)? Was it indoors? I know this is harsh questioning, but if you are going to request an RA, your doctor is going to ask all of this. I have an RA for anxiety (not related to on site vs remote), and even though I've been treated by my doctor for almost ten years, he went through this type of questioning with me before he would sign off on one. And even then, he and I discussed the options that would allow me to take care of myself but still be able to work within my employment requirements. So just be aware that even an RA may not approve you for fulltime remote work.

    Also consider if you want to be the only person in your department not physically present. Yes, remote work has been successful, but everyone has been remote. How will it be realistically to be the only person zooming into an in-person meeting? You won't be there for casual conversations around the office, which would mean you will miss out on any project discussions and not be able to contribute (decisions may be made without you). Your colleagues may also slowly start to forget that you are part of the group, and things will start happening without you. I don't know the nature of your work so this may not apply exactly, but put it into the context of your day-to-day work. Will it still be a job you love if things change?

    All of this is a long way of saying that until you're able to figure out how to reintegrate yourself into the world, you need to find a position that will let you continue to work fully from home without any negative repercussions. Yourself and your physical and mental health should be your priority, and you have a lot of issues you need to work through with your doctors and therapists (if you don't have one, get one ASAP). You're going to need to figure out how to make yourself better, and that really sounds like it includes finding a position that better suits your needs. Even if you manage to stay at home fulltime in your current job, it's not going to remain the same. Plus, do you really want to stay somewhere that is causing you this additional stress? Focus on finding a job that works for you, not trying to bend your current, very rigid, one to fit a new reality. Good luck!

  35. Anonymous

    I could not have said this better. It's very concerning to me the number of people that are fearful of leaving their homes to go back to the workplace or life in general. So sad. To the OP, I hope you find professional help and support to get through this.

  36. Anonymous

    Finally...some straight talk express! Thank you for this thoughtful reply and your recommendations are SPOT ON!

  37. Kimberly Garrett

    Excellent advice and commentary!!

  38. Liz Milne

    I do sympathise, but changes made to accommodate the pandemic were never promised as permanent. Did you not think that one day you would be expected back in the office at some point?

    Were your issues with being in the office present when you first took the job? If yes, how did you cope with them?

    It is *nicer* working from home; but businesses don't have to give their employees what is pleasant - perhaps it's easier for management having everyone under one roof? Or perhaps other employees aren't doing as well as you with WFH?

    Have a discussion, but be prepared to compromise, I think 2 or 3 days in the office is reasonable, tbh, especially if the position was 100% at the office before covid...

  39. Anonymous

    Wow. So many of these comments are pretty awful, IMHO. Not the spirit of this site, at least not why I joined. The defensiveness of “oh WFH was never promised!” completely ignore all of the trauma that so many experienced during the peak of the pandemic, experience commuting, and experience in an office setting.

    One thing that helped me convinced my employer to let me become permanently remote is highlighting the increase in my performance during the pandemic - I used quantitative information from project timelines and production volume and qualitative info from client reports.

    I also used overall quality of life information - how much time I saved not commuting, being able to manage my household during small breaks, and the overall stress reduction I feel not being in a large office building.

    As much as you like your job, I would consider leaving even if your management allows you to become completely remote. Throwing it in your face that you leave your home to get groceries and traveled once for a funeral is very petty and not an apples to apples comparison.

    Good luck! I hope your able to find a solution that works for you.

  40. Liz Milne

    'helped you convince your employer' - my comment advises OP to follow your process: OP's employer expects them to return to the way things were before covid UNLESS OP goes to them and explains their new situation...

    I don't see what is 'awful' about explaining that *maybe* employers aren't psychic and need - at minimum - a conversation about reworking terms and conditions?

    Such as the conversation that you had with your employer, to good effect?

  41. Anonymous

    Since you’ve brought it up - your comment is awful because of the microaggression in the phrasing “did you not think…” which is directly a reflection of an assumption about the intellect of the person spoken to whom you directed the question. And before you get even more defensive - I’ll give you credit for not intending to question anyone’s intellect - but that is the impact of that statement. Whether you meant it or not, it’s a microaggression. And it’s about time every takes more responsibility for their impact, especially those who want credit for their intent.

  42. Jessica Madden

    I appreciate your feedback, thank you! And you’re correct that was not my intention so I appreciate you recognizing that. My feedback for you is to have courage with your contribution and not post anonymously. Your point is good, but I have a typical policy of not considering anonymous feedback. I have made an exception here, because I do appreciate you pointing that out. Best wishes -

  43. Liz Milne

    I certainly didn't mean it as any kind of aggression to the OP, but I will say that I find your responses quite aggressive. Something that you clearly anticipate with your 'before you get defensive'...

    The reason I maybe didn't sound as sympathetic as I could have - I'm personally not here for hand-holding and platitudes: if I have unreasonable expectations of a client or workplace, I'd rather be told here and given advice on what to do, rather than lose work in the real world because of faulty thinking or assumptions I've made.

    I tend to assume posters on here are looking for real answers, even if they are (or seem) a bit harsh...

    Perhaps OPs should put a notation about what they want in the replies: that they just want to be comforted in this instance, or that they want hard truths about that situation? What do you think?

  44. Deb Horner

    The reality is that your boss is aware of your disability status (and yes, anxiety is a disability), and is questioning if you are able to leave the house for limited amounts of time. The fact that you are able to go grocery shopping shows that your therapy, medication and mental health status are functioning at some level. You needed to travel to a loved one's funeral - that wasn't a vacation, that was an emotional need to say your farewell in a socially appropriate manner. If your boss is expecting you to go from grocery shopping at ~1 hour weekly to 3 - 8 hour days per week of socializing, traveling, and in person interactions without gradually moving in that direction, your boss does not understand the crippling nature of anxiety disorder. As others have stated, collect the data on what you accomplished during your WFH status, and report it as you would any other data to your boss. Does this person require charts, graphs, photographs, power points? Then prepare it. I wish you well.

  45. Anonymous

    Hello! First of all, I'm just sending you support and good wishes as you navigate this situation. My job mandated return to the office full time (5 days) this summer, then we went back to remote during the Delta wave and back again to the office earlier this month. Before our first return to office, two members of our team went through the ADA accommodations process. They spoke to HR, brought the form to their doctors and eventually settled arrangements that worked for them. (One is full-time WFH because her condition precludes her from coming in, and the other one is 2 days in/3 days at home because commuting aggravates her medical condition but is possible for her with a rest day in between.) My advice is to completely stop communicating with your manager on this point and start the ADA process with your doctor(s) and HR. You should have plenty of time to work this out before May. Your initial email to HR should be something along the lines of "Due to a disability, I am requesting a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act." Do not state with HR what your medical condition is, just that you have one and you would like to begin the 'reasonable accommodations' process. If you aren't satisfied with the results of the accommodations process then it may be time to start looking for a new job. Best wishes!

  46. Anonymous

    Excellent advice! The wording to use is especially helpful.

  47. Anonymous

    Your company gets to make a decision and so do you. I am honestly sick to death of all of these posts about WFH becoming a permanent thing. It is almost as if the generation of entitlement has grown to all generations. So disgusting.

  48. Anonymous

    The fact that you took the time to post such an unhelpful, toxic comment speaks volumes about you. If it’s not for you - keep scrolling and move on.

  49. Anonymous

    The fact you replied to it says enough as well. People who get things done and move ahead don't sit silently or tell people to move along. They act. They speak honestly and it doesn't matter if your poor wittle feewings are hurted.

  50. Anonymous

    The problem with a lot of people is tons of people took jobs wouldn't have otherwise because they could telework. They assumed it would last forever. Just look for a new job that fits your needs.

  51. Anonymous

    Honestly, the people on here have no power to make this decision of your "WFH" status.

    You are wasting you time pleading your case on here.

    Seriously, you need to appreciate the time you had, and that you still get to work 2 days at home. Some people didn't get this option. Just remember that.

    My advice for you, plead your case to your boss, everything you said in your post. Except for the part about parking. Lol All they can do is say no, right? If they say no, you two options.

    Go back to the office or quit. Find a new job. If you disability is that bad, file for disability. That's always an option.

    But honestly, for the anxiety, if your boss is understanding and appreciative of your work, you will be ok. It will get better. You will get used to everything again. You just have to get out there! Remember... you used to do it everyday, right? I was very much in the same situation as you. Please trust me, if your boss and your job is worth it, give it your all!

  52. Anonymous

    So you're saying I should just "get over" my anxiety? So much easier said than done.

  53. Anonymous

    She’s saying that you have 100% ownership of your anxiety and you’ll only be able to use this as a “get out of jail free card” for so long. At some point, you’re going to have to choose not to be a victim and aggressively pursue mental health support.

    i speak from experience as I’ve been diagnosed with both generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. I get everything you’re saying! I can also tell you that I own this, I’ve bought and paid for this more times than I can count! I also tried multiple therapists and psych meds to get the anxiety under control. I’ve been successful and so can you!

    What I’m about to say is harsh: extended working from home arrangements will not fix the core issue of anxiety. Rather, it will provide you with a crutch, a temporary band-aid until you decide you’ve had enough and are ready for the hard and uncomfortable work off remedying this situation.

    while it may not seem like it, you have 100% control over this situation and there are paths forward. Best wishes on next steps.

  54. Anonymous

    I think you need to read my response again. I never said "get over it".

    I did say, I have anxiety as well and I totally know what you're going through. And you are correct, you can't just get over it.

    Also reread the options. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just being real.

    I just quit my job of 5 years because of my stress and anxiety, leading me to have further medical issues. So I get it! Unfortunately, my bosses weren't understanding and made things very difficult for me, they had the whole office staff harassing me, they pushed me right out of the office.

    Hopefully your boss will be understanding and you can work from home. Otherwise you need to look at other options.

    As I am currently.

    Totally sucks!

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