Boss trying to fire me. Help please.

[hsojcon21]

I recently got a new boss and she is trying to fire me because of my panic attacks and anxiety. I do miss more work than the average person and have fmla. Is there anything I can do? I don't want to transfer because I am comfortable where I am at. Also, I don't want to let her bully me out of a place I enjoy. Should I hire a lawyer? Look at getting long term disability? I'm not sure what to do because my panic disorder does make me miss a lot of work and I do have attacks at work that ruin things. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

[BonnieSue]

One precaution comes to mind: read the fine print on the LTD. I found out after we paid 27 years for the highest amount of LTD that we would never opt for it because if my husband ever took even a few hours, it negated a portion his pension in some way or something similar, I can't remember what.

[hsojcon21 in reply to BonnieSue]

THank you. I'm just trying to figure out what to do or what options there are. Hopefully my union will help but it's pretty obvious she is gunning for me. I just want to be left alone.

[BonnieSue in reply to hsojcon21]

I've remembered that for the caution I gave you there was no written information we could possibly have found on our own. So your idea of consulting a lawyer may be the wisest because the lawyer may know how to get at info that you can't. It also sends a message to all the right people in your workplace that you won't be taken advantage of. The union is only as good as the steward who is human and capable of errors and prejudice. We had difficulty with our steward being unfair and uninterested in helping my husband.

[gogogirl in reply to hsojcon21]

I wish you well. I know that unions are only as good as the people in them. If it's a clear case of discrimination , or sexual harassment and there is proof then that makes it easier. If you need to take a long term leave in order to deal with the panic and find out what is the cause, then hopefully that is possible. Harder with mental health I would imagine, but if you have enough medical evidence, then hopefully that will help. Good luck to you.

[Hidden in reply to hsojcon21]

Hi,

Yes do get your union informed ..if in the uk an appointment with cab around employment law could help , it’s good to know the options available to you..

I’m sorry this is happening

Best wishes x

[TAPNewEngland]

You are protected from this. FMLA does protect your job. If you are being bullied, make sure you meet with your HR department to let them know what is going on and what your rights are. Don't quit your job either as you won't be able to collect unemployment benefits. Does your HR department have an employee assistance program? The more documentation you have, the better off you'll be.

[hsojcon21 in reply to TAPNewEngland]

Thanks for the info. I do have FMLA right now. So that's why I am being written up for "other" infractions.

Yes we do have an hr department and there might be an employee assistance program. I will definitely look into that. Mthanks for the response.

[Knotty in reply to hsojcon21]

I believe you are in the US and I am in the UK so not able to make suggestions re the law but I would always remind people that HR is there to protect the company ahead of helping employees.

(I know doing right by the staff should get a better workforce and therefore better results for the company but it is ultimately the corporation which is being served by HR.)

[gogogirl in reply to TAPNewEngland]

If the boss won't leave, can you transfer? It might save your sanity. No job is worth your health.

[Blueskies99 in reply to gogogirl]

very true NO job or career is worth your peace of mind, sanity, nor health....wishing you the best In your future....im hoping you find a better position

[gogogirl]

Have you talked to a MD about what could be causing these attacks and if there is a solution? You should not have to go through this alone. Been there in a way. This is just me, but I try not to identify anxiety as an "illness" but as something that is a response to something present or that happened a long time ago. I am trying to work through feelings of mix up and regret, and guilt but that is just me. I sure need help with these! I do not take meds but do take stp 5 which is herbal.

[Blue_81]

Hello hsojcon21,

I just saw your post. Hopefully everything went well with your job. I myself got moved to a new department where that lead didn't like me at all. For six months he tried to get me out. He wouldn't answer any questions or provide any guidance. However, he was looking for me to do any mistake. When he did find one (all minor) he just made a big fuss and told everyone. He made me jump hoops and do mazes until one day I just broke down. Now ive been suffering from anxiety problems. I did also asked and got moved out of that department. Been recovering for the last 4 months. Its not been the same as I start to panic easier when dealing with stressful situations.

[hsojcon21 in reply to Blue_81]

Sorry to hear that. Sounds really horrible. There has to be something that people like us can do. I'm actually going to be looking into some legal options this week. Hopefully they will be able to provide some answers. I'm tired of being bullied at work. Its not acceptable. Hope your recovery goes well. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

[jhm1949 in reply to hsojcon21]

As a supervisor for over twenty years, I can say that your boss is being unreasonable and not following HR and FMLA guidelines. Document everything. Contact a lawyer (after talking with FMLA and HR and explaining your situation politely. Transferring to another section and supervisor...working from home. Be as reasonable as your boss is not being. Be polite. and move toward the legal system. Document everything.

[hsojcon21]

Thank you for the advice. I have talked to HR and they are on her side unfortunately. My next move is to contact a lawyer. I'm going to do that this week. The problem is that I don't want to transfer. Ive been at my site since 2008 and my new boss just showed up last year. I had no issues previously. That is the part that makes me upset. Its hard enough going to a place that you are familiar with and comfortable working while having panic attacks. Now because this person doesn't like it I have to move sites and rearrange my life. I am barely functioning right now. I don't know if I could even begin to handle a move into a new environment. I cant even imagine doing that at this point in my life.

[cortisolqueen in reply to hsojcon21]

Do you have a union? If so contact them immediately and tell them she is harassing you. I really don't think she can fire you due to a medical condition. Karma will come around on her if she is not careful. Anxiety and panic can be very debilitating, it can happen to anyone at anytime. I will be praying for you!!

[mydog56 in reply to hsojcon21]

i am so sorry your going through this, if she is firing you that is not good, call 911 on her, although , you know, you can always talk to me. i know that firing a person is not good cause it is not fun

[michelleconrod]

Hello! I'm not sure about the laws where you are, but you need to definitely look into your labor and employment laws. I wouldn't hire a lawyer yet, there's nothing they can really do for you besides offer you advice and they'd charge you. If you receive verbal or written notice that they are terminating your employment then I would then hire a lawyer. I know where I'm living an employer is not allowed to fire me or lay me off because of a medical condition unless I'm not able to perform my job, according to my job description. Let's say I was a counselor and I had a stroke and could no longer communicate, then they'd have grounds for termination. So check into your laws, I believe the way you're being treated and the negativity you're experiencing at work is adding to your anxiety. You could try requesting a meeting with your boss, ask questions and explain how you're feeling. Do you have a human affairs department? Some companies have people you can talk to and/or represent you in a situation like this, so look into that as well. I hope this helps , Good Luck!

[michelleconrod in reply to michelleconrod]

One thing I forgot to say , but I noticed other people did, Is make sure you document everything, dates, times, description of the event and the names of every witness that can support your claims. Also what happened to your old boss? It would help you if they left on good terms and that they support you and your performance while employed there. Check into that and anyone else who left the company that can be good support and back up your complaints as well as be a witness to you being a good employee.

[Hidden]

... your workplace is triggering the panic attacks perhaps, the pressure you must be under with lack of support from your boss ! Terrible ! Are you in a Union ? Give them a ring if you are, get backing from them, she is a bully ! It's against the law to harass an employee when poorly. Inform your GP, and ask him to draft a letter, stating you need sufficient time for recovery. Your boss should be working with you to wean you very very slowly back into the work place, partime hours perhaps. Please don't be bullied to leave, I know it's difficult a battle etc, but get as much support as you can. Panic attacks can be managed with the right support and perhaps prescribed medication to help you. Don't suffer in silence. God bless ❤️

[SD13]

Hi. I work in HR so I just want to add that beyond FMLA, your panic disorder should qualify as a disability. That means you could request and ADA accommodation for missing time. This could add an additional layer of security. It also puts your employer on notice about your disability, so they can’t later say they didn’t know and just thought you were missing time. Hope this helps!

[Hidden]

Just realised this is an older post.

And no doubt now resolved one way or another..

X

[AngryPanda]

HR is aware of your new dynamic. Even in these uncertain times, try not to give into paranoia, yet prepare yourself: self-care, therapy, and demand the work/life balance you require. If long term disability helps more than harms, be kind in your decision to take advantage. 💜#Hugs2U