Is this right? (job related)

18 Comments

I've been working with my current employer for three years now.

They are horribly cruel and the pay is minimum wage and not at all worth the torment but it's a job nonetheless.

Anyway, I have been sick, really sick for the past two weeks. So I got my doctor's note saying I had a flu. My boss was furious with me even when I faxed it to him. I called to confirm and he was unnecessarily rude to me, said I should be at work regardless of how I feel, etc. I had 103 fever most days, so whatever to him.

So I go back to work, tell him I can't work the same hours anymore because I still have this flu and I don't know what it is and can't work as much right now. I only cut 1 hour off my 10 hour shifts.

I go home and have a voice message from corporate telling me to call them back. I call the guy back, he tells me my manager wants a note or evidence that I can't work that extra hr. I tell the guy I can't get a note, my doctor is on holiday and the corporate guy says "well then, your manager says he will fire you".

I got really upset as I'm already sick as it is and said "I am doing the store a favor by working when I should be out on disability" and the guy says, "what's your disability" and I said "I have had the flu with a fever for over two weeks now". I told him I already gave my boss a doctors note a few days ago and he said "that doesn't count, I really don't understand the problem" and that "If you don't have a doctors note by tomorrow morning, you won't have that job anymore".

I spent over half an hour on the phone trying to explain to him how I felt and how my doctor really was on holiday. He then told me to find another doctor. I said I have no money right now because I live paycheck to paycheck and am in student debt but he just didn't care.

After I got off the phone, I called another doctor in my area, that doctor said he couldn't help me for free and I ended up going through maybe 5 doctors until one said he'd give me a quick check up and write a note.

is it normal to go through all of this because you change your hours slightly? Is this even legal?

Yes 1
No 13
Other 1
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 18 )
  • deepthought33
    9 years ago

    That is ridiculous of them, but does the flu really last more than two weeks?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      I don't know what it really is but it feels like a flu as I feel sick to my stomach, have thrown up at least twice a day, my fever is still pretty high but not as bad (only 101) and It doesn't seem to be stopping. I just feel like my body is burning up and feel dizzy as well.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
        -
      • wistfulmaiden
        9 years ago

        Keep calling off until they fire you then collect unemployment, you will get it as long as you have documentation you've been ill.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • Riddler
    9 years ago

    Okay first off being sick is not a disability so the fact your trying to use disability is ridiculous. Anyways back to the initial issue.

    I am surprised your Boss would still make you work when you have the flu. I think it would be smarter to send you home till you are better. The flu means you are either vomiting or have diarrhea and possible cold like symptoms. So that means you are going to get your germs everywhere and going to get the rest of the staff sick.

    I would have sent you home if I was your employer for risk of infecting the rest of the staff first off. Second if you that sick your probably not capable of functioning as it is anyways. I do not see how they would see you puking all over the place as very productive of sanitary for that matter.

    Legal or not it makes no sense to keep you working when your in such a condition. If you are on disability for other reasons though that is another matter and I would consult someone to see what your rights on disability actually are.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      Well technically, if you have something like the flu for several weeks and it doesn't go away, that is a disability. I know it's too short yet to say that but if I still have a fever two more weeks from now, I'd have to go through disability to make sure I can take this time off to get better so I don't get fired. But I do know what you mean as it doesn't seem long-term but people can go out if they are very ill for many weeks as long as they have a doctor's note.

      My job doesn't allow me to get more than two sick weeks in a row off or at least, that's what the management tells me. If I could have taken another week, I would have but according to them, I can't.

      Yeah, you got that right. I am vomiting as well as severe cough/sneezing episodes. When I spoke to him, he witnessed me sneezing and coughing nonstop and he backed away but still told me I need to work. All my coworkers said I looked pale and people have said I sound like I definitely have the flu because even my voice is as if I have a frog caught in the throat.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
        -
      • Riddler
        9 years ago

        If you are sick with the flu for over two weeks it sounds like it is more serious. No one should be sick with the flu for over two weeks and if you are still having symptoms for that long its not healthy at all. I would go back to your doctor and ask for some tests since a flu lasting that long is not healthy or normal. Vomiting and or diarrhea for over 2 weeks is very unhealthy and people have died from being in such conditions for long periods. I would say if possible tell your boss you will make up the work when you get back but ask the doctor to run some more serious tests.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        2
        2
      • wistfulmaiden
        9 years ago

        Btw maybe you have mono. That can last a few months and it's definitely a reason to reduce hours.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • howaminotmyself
    9 years ago

    Did you tell him that you are contagious and if you show up you wouldn't be able to work efficiently, and you would infect other staff members which would then slow productivity down even more. So by making you work, he is actually doing the business more harm than good.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      I don't even think I needed to tell him that as I know he's aware. I kept coughing and sneezing while I was talking to him and everyone says I sound like I have a frog in my throat.

      Yeah, I mean, if I do continue, half the employees will be wiped out with what I have for sure and maybe even him.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
  • mountain-man82
    9 years ago

    What country is this in? Because most companies I have worked for would be good with just the original doctors note.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      The good ole USA.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
        -
      • mountain-man82
        9 years ago

        You work for one really messed up company.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
  • Anonnet
    9 years ago

    Is it right? No. Is it legal? Most probably, yeah.

    How are you still on minimum wage after 3 years? That kind of scared me.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      I don't know. I tried to hint about a raise once last year and they just ignored it. Someone else who has been there five years hasn't had a raise yet either. I'm trying to find a better job to replace this.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • Anonnet
        9 years ago

        That is seriously messed up. I have a friend who's had a job at a warehouse for less than a year and he's making more money than that.

        I also agree with Riddler, get some more serious tests from a doctor before you keel over. Have you even been taking any medicine?

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • ZombieEater
    9 years ago

    Ugh..that fucking sucks...

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Kinetix
    9 years ago

    The flu? Do you still have it/feel like you have it all the time? Usually have stomach aches and/or muscle pains? Trust me, if you have these symptoms, it's not a very good sign...

    Please reply so we can take this a little further.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • deepthought33
    9 years ago

    It just seems really drawn out for a common flu. Then again, if you're still working 9 hour days then your body just might not have had enough time to heal.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0