Chronic pain, unsympathetic job, still need to work. What can be done?
March 16, 2016 8:48 PM Subscribe
Asking for a friend filter: Friend is in their 20s. Just got halfway decent health insurance. Working at a retail store since summer of last year, job involves a lot of physical labor along with sales desk. They've been commended for good work a few times and have been told they've been doing well enough to be a keyholder soon, which would involve more hours and a raise, Recently got a merit raise.
They've had chronic pain for a while, and circumstances are...
in the past month have been struggling with incredible pain. Yesterday, they were struggling to walk and stand even with a cane. On the pain scale number, they placed working today at an 8. They already have the max allowed OTC pain relievers.They called out because they could barely move. They come into work the next day and are told they now have a "history of calling out" (this would be the second time they've called out, the first time being a few months ago) and that they shouldn't "call out for just any little thing" and that anything will now require a doctor's note. Because getting a same day orthopedist appoint is supposed to be easy? IDK. They live in an at-will employment state in a non-union job, and are not currently in a position to just get another, esp since the schedule changes week to week.
What can they do, if anything, at work? WHat can they reasonably seek or ask for? Any coping strategies? What sort of doctor or doctors should they be seeing, and is there anyway they can find a checklist of things to ask for or what to say? How can they deal with incredible chornic pain and a suddenly dismissive boos in the meantime?
I'm a friend whose lives close by. I can't drive but I'm willing to help pretty much any way I can, from picking up on chores to doing grocery runs or making calls doing research. If you were in a situation, what helped you?
in the past month have been struggling with incredible pain. Yesterday, they were struggling to walk and stand even with a cane. On the pain scale number, they placed working today at an 8. They already have the max allowed OTC pain relievers.They called out because they could barely move. They come into work the next day and are told they now have a "history of calling out" (this would be the second time they've called out, the first time being a few months ago) and that they shouldn't "call out for just any little thing" and that anything will now require a doctor's note. Because getting a same day orthopedist appoint is supposed to be easy? IDK. They live in an at-will employment state in a non-union job, and are not currently in a position to just get another, esp since the schedule changes week to week.
What can they do, if anything, at work? WHat can they reasonably seek or ask for? Any coping strategies? What sort of doctor or doctors should they be seeing, and is there anyway they can find a checklist of things to ask for or what to say? How can they deal with incredible chornic pain and a suddenly dismissive boos in the meantime?
I'm a friend whose lives close by. I can't drive but I'm willing to help pretty much any way I can, from picking up on chores to doing grocery runs or making calls doing research. If you were in a situation, what helped you?
They may be able to seek reasonable accommodations to accomplish essential job functions (more frequent unpaid breaks, time off the floor, a stool to be seated if ringing at a register) but the ugly truth is that even if this is legally not something that can prevent upwards mobility it tends to anyways.
If they can make it to FMLA qualification (12 mos on the job and a certain number of hours, equivalent to full-time work) they will qualify for intermittent family medical leave (IFML) if certified by a physician, which would give them up to 12 weeks/yr of protected time off for medical reasons.
They should also scour their employee handbook or ask HR for clarification on all attendance, excused absence, and leave policies. But seriously, the sad truth is this tends to get one flagged as a problem, so they should try to frame it as much as possible from a "I want to make sure I understand the expectations you have so I can meet them" framework rather than anything that can be perceived as "I want to know the system so I can game it".
posted by kitarra at 10:06 PM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
If they can make it to FMLA qualification (12 mos on the job and a certain number of hours, equivalent to full-time work) they will qualify for intermittent family medical leave (IFML) if certified by a physician, which would give them up to 12 weeks/yr of protected time off for medical reasons.
They should also scour their employee handbook or ask HR for clarification on all attendance, excused absence, and leave policies. But seriously, the sad truth is this tends to get one flagged as a problem, so they should try to frame it as much as possible from a "I want to make sure I understand the expectations you have so I can meet them" framework rather than anything that can be perceived as "I want to know the system so I can game it".
posted by kitarra at 10:06 PM on March 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Retail sales jobs are notorious for this kind of crap.
1. Go to a doctor and get confirmation of a diagnosis that leads to the chronic pain. Give to manager and send to corporate HR.
2. Work with someone about chronic pain management. I was on Hydrocodone and muscle relaxers, along with PT for pain following a car accident in which two lumbar disks burst. I eventually received spinal injections of steroids, but once in a blue moon....OW!
3. Find a new job that is less physically demanding.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:14 AM on March 17, 2016
1. Go to a doctor and get confirmation of a diagnosis that leads to the chronic pain. Give to manager and send to corporate HR.
2. Work with someone about chronic pain management. I was on Hydrocodone and muscle relaxers, along with PT for pain following a car accident in which two lumbar disks burst. I eventually received spinal injections of steroids, but once in a blue moon....OW!
3. Find a new job that is less physically demanding.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:14 AM on March 17, 2016
Find a job that is more compatible with their health issues (speaking as someone who recently had to do just this).
I worked retail for 8 years at one point. I don't know how someone could do that in pain, and I am not sure how a retail establishment could reasonably be expected to reasonably accommodate someone who experiencing chronic pain to the point where they can't even move.
posted by TinWhistle at 5:55 AM on March 17, 2016
I worked retail for 8 years at one point. I don't know how someone could do that in pain, and I am not sure how a retail establishment could reasonably be expected to reasonably accommodate someone who experiencing chronic pain to the point where they can't even move.
posted by TinWhistle at 5:55 AM on March 17, 2016
That's really terrible to hear. I'm saying all this without knowing her medical condition. It's not usual for someone so young to have so much pain, I hope she is seeing someone medically. It's not necessary to go to an orthopedist to get a work note proving one is sick; an primary care or regular family doctor will do. Having her medical records with her will make the process easier when she sees a new doctor and allow them to write a note.
About the job, right with the others about keeping her pain managed. Tell the doctor that whatever she is taking is not working or get a pain specialist. And hopefully she can work till she qualifies for any kind of benefits. The more serious question is how long can she work at a job like this? It sounds like the job is making her condition worse and she might need to change it. Sometimes it's better to do what's better for one's health. Change careers, go back to school, qualify for short-term disability (you get paid like 50%?) pending doctor evaluation. From what I know, work is not required to know a person's diagnosis but they might make rules about doctor's notes that they usually place in a rulebook for employees.
posted by LadyAerin at 9:06 AM on March 17, 2016
About the job, right with the others about keeping her pain managed. Tell the doctor that whatever she is taking is not working or get a pain specialist. And hopefully she can work till she qualifies for any kind of benefits. The more serious question is how long can she work at a job like this? It sounds like the job is making her condition worse and she might need to change it. Sometimes it's better to do what's better for one's health. Change careers, go back to school, qualify for short-term disability (you get paid like 50%?) pending doctor evaluation. From what I know, work is not required to know a person's diagnosis but they might make rules about doctor's notes that they usually place in a rulebook for employees.
posted by LadyAerin at 9:06 AM on March 17, 2016
Long-term, what your friend can do depends on their diagnosis. Is this a lifelong pain issue, or something that might clear up/heal over time? If mobility is going to be an issue long-term and they have any computer skills, their long-term goal should be a job that requires less of them physically; admin assistant or receptionist, for example. Even a call-center would let them sit down most of the day, though those jobs come with other problems.
I assume your friend wants to keep their job in order to keep their insurance. Is using ACA a possibility for them? That would allow them to say, get a temp job as an admin but still get care (hopefully eventually transitioning to a permanent admin job). Or they could possibly just get that job without going the temp route, and insurance along with it.
In the immediate term, I would agree that they need to get their pain meds upped and whatever other kinds of treatment they can get right away to make things better. But unless their condition is likely to clear up soon, they're going to have to look for a different kind of work. Retail is hard even on people without disabilities.
posted by emjaybee at 10:24 AM on March 17, 2016
I assume your friend wants to keep their job in order to keep their insurance. Is using ACA a possibility for them? That would allow them to say, get a temp job as an admin but still get care (hopefully eventually transitioning to a permanent admin job). Or they could possibly just get that job without going the temp route, and insurance along with it.
In the immediate term, I would agree that they need to get their pain meds upped and whatever other kinds of treatment they can get right away to make things better. But unless their condition is likely to clear up soon, they're going to have to look for a different kind of work. Retail is hard even on people without disabilities.
posted by emjaybee at 10:24 AM on March 17, 2016
A tremendous amount hinges on whether this store is corporate or mom n' pop. If it's corporate, than the advice above may help. If it's mom n'pop, i.e., local, a one off or a small chain with less than 50 employees, than none of this is worth a dime. In that scenario with a part time employee in an at will state, the owners do not have to make any accommodation at all. Particularly sInce your friend has worked there for less than a year, most likely they will just let them go. Yes, they can do this and no, it isn't fair. But it is the most probable scenario. They are exempt from FMLA and there are no legal repercussions if they just say, well, bye, good luck.
To make them take her seriously and for her own sake, your friend needs a doctor's diagnosis and a note spelling out what kind of accommodations he needs to do his job. This does not mean that their boss has to do it, but it's a big help. It's really the only help, actually, and it hinges on them liking her enough to want to keep her on. A doctors note may also scare the bosses into being more helpful. While your friend gets one, do not call in again. Go in sick and leave early if necessary, but don't call In.
The best doctor to start with is a family practice / general practitioner. It will probably take some time to get an appointment but it's worth it, because they can then refer to a specialist. Call around until you find a doctor who can see you. If you want to help your friend, make those phone calls. Just going straight to the specialist will cost more - insurance may not cover any of it. Also, they'll see you faster and pay more attention if you have a proper referral. BTW this is all going to be very expensive. Upfront you will just have to pay copays but be prepared for very hefty bills to start showing up about 3 weeks after every appointment. Insurance covers very little.
You can help your friend best by dealing with the day to day stuff. Show up and wash the dishes. Bring dinner over. Take your friend for a drive or to a movie. Just being there is a huge help. And, because the U.S. is crazy, do NOT go to any doctor you don't know really well asking for more pain meds! This will get you branded as a druggie and doom you. I wish I was kidding, but seriously, do not bring up meds at all at first with any doctor.
There is no such thing as short term disability in most US states unless your employer has a policy. Most do not. Retail? Unlikely. That's why you cannot call in. Good luck! Your friend is young, that means healing is quick, so hopefully things will get better fast.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:25 PM on March 17, 2016
To make them take her seriously and for her own sake, your friend needs a doctor's diagnosis and a note spelling out what kind of accommodations he needs to do his job. This does not mean that their boss has to do it, but it's a big help. It's really the only help, actually, and it hinges on them liking her enough to want to keep her on. A doctors note may also scare the bosses into being more helpful. While your friend gets one, do not call in again. Go in sick and leave early if necessary, but don't call In.
The best doctor to start with is a family practice / general practitioner. It will probably take some time to get an appointment but it's worth it, because they can then refer to a specialist. Call around until you find a doctor who can see you. If you want to help your friend, make those phone calls. Just going straight to the specialist will cost more - insurance may not cover any of it. Also, they'll see you faster and pay more attention if you have a proper referral. BTW this is all going to be very expensive. Upfront you will just have to pay copays but be prepared for very hefty bills to start showing up about 3 weeks after every appointment. Insurance covers very little.
You can help your friend best by dealing with the day to day stuff. Show up and wash the dishes. Bring dinner over. Take your friend for a drive or to a movie. Just being there is a huge help. And, because the U.S. is crazy, do NOT go to any doctor you don't know really well asking for more pain meds! This will get you branded as a druggie and doom you. I wish I was kidding, but seriously, do not bring up meds at all at first with any doctor.
There is no such thing as short term disability in most US states unless your employer has a policy. Most do not. Retail? Unlikely. That's why you cannot call in. Good luck! Your friend is young, that means healing is quick, so hopefully things will get better fast.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:25 PM on March 17, 2016
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