Part II of the job (You are not MY HR)
May 29, 2021 5:00 PM Subscribe
So this happened.
My managers were great, moved me somewhere close where I needn't walk all day -- but now I am in pain due to standing 8 hours. I thought my back was pretty well fixed up, but apparently these things come back to haunt you. I would like get a sit down job and write another note to managers about a sit down job without using the words "age" "back" which seem to be red flags.
I am going to physical therapy in two weeks. Not sure if that is a red flag word either. I love where they put me, I just can't stand for 8 hours. Sitting down here is not an option, but I already feel like they've bent over backwards for me already. It is always their option to tell me "there's the door" I suppose.
Looking for a kind, humble, grateful script to switch the job they just switched me to.
My managers were great, moved me somewhere close where I needn't walk all day -- but now I am in pain due to standing 8 hours. I thought my back was pretty well fixed up, but apparently these things come back to haunt you. I would like get a sit down job and write another note to managers about a sit down job without using the words "age" "back" which seem to be red flags.
I am going to physical therapy in two weeks. Not sure if that is a red flag word either. I love where they put me, I just can't stand for 8 hours. Sitting down here is not an option, but I already feel like they've bent over backwards for me already. It is always their option to tell me "there's the door" I suppose.
Looking for a kind, humble, grateful script to switch the job they just switched me to.
Response by poster: Oh, I thought I noted (but hadn't, on reread) in my last post that I had used the ADA (somewhere else) and (after a long drawn out mental torture thing) was fired. So, I'm not convinced the ADA works (understatement). Or, it does exist, but it's unenforceable.
It all boils down to who has the most lawyers, I think.
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 5:23 PM on May 29, 2021
It all boils down to who has the most lawyers, I think.
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 5:23 PM on May 29, 2021
Side note that doesn't address your primary question, so please disregard if it's not relevant.
A friend got a job as a letter carrier, and the first 3-4 weeks for her were HARD. She was physically exhausted by the end of each shift, with muscle soreness, joint aches and pains, the whole business. But after about a month of delivering mail, her body started to adapt and adjust and things got much better. She ended up loving the job and the work - and the physical fitness which came over time. So - and I'm not disregarding your pain, by any means, do listen to your body - I wonder if there's some middle road in here for you, reframing the back pain as something that will go away as your body shifts and adapts and strengthens in response to this new physical role.
posted by lulu68 at 6:46 PM on May 29, 2021 [6 favorites]
A friend got a job as a letter carrier, and the first 3-4 weeks for her were HARD. She was physically exhausted by the end of each shift, with muscle soreness, joint aches and pains, the whole business. But after about a month of delivering mail, her body started to adapt and adjust and things got much better. She ended up loving the job and the work - and the physical fitness which came over time. So - and I'm not disregarding your pain, by any means, do listen to your body - I wonder if there's some middle road in here for you, reframing the back pain as something that will go away as your body shifts and adapts and strengthens in response to this new physical role.
posted by lulu68 at 6:46 PM on May 29, 2021 [6 favorites]
Standing for 8 hours is a lot for anyone. Does your job provide anti-fatigue mats or other ergonomic measures?
posted by bluloo at 7:42 PM on May 29, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by bluloo at 7:42 PM on May 29, 2021 [4 favorites]
prescription orthotic inserts changed my life and ended my back pain in under a month.
posted by evilmonk at 7:46 PM on May 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by evilmonk at 7:46 PM on May 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
Put one foot up on something 5-8 inches high. A low shelf if there is one, or bring a yoga block or sturdy box. Alternate feet throughout the day.
posted by CathyG at 11:12 PM on May 29, 2021
posted by CathyG at 11:12 PM on May 29, 2021
I can reaffirm what lulu68 wrote above. Happened twice in my life. One, when I was in my 20s, I was a floor trader on the exchanges in Chicago. Had to stand for 7 or 8 straight hours without a break. It took 4-6 weeks, but by then, I was no longer sore and taking hot showers for 30 minutes at a time. I was able to build up the muscles that I really never needed before to such an extent.
A better example was 5 years ago in my 50s. I agreed to help out a friend whose warehouse Manger went on leave for national guard duty.. Once I started I really could not quit until he returned. I really thought I was going to be hospitalized after the first week. Ice baths, steams, Ben Gay, everything I could think of including sleeping 10 hours. As an old guy, I thought I would never be able recover on a daily basis. 5 weeks later, I would come home from work and play softball, go for walks with my gf, etc.
I do not know what your limitations are and I do not want to minimize them at all, but, if this is a job you would be happy with if you were stronger or able to better be physically able to withstand the day, consider sticking with it for 4 weeks or so before you decide it really is not a good fit.
If you know now that it will never be a good fit, then ignore me, but if you think "maybe", consider seeking an accommodation that can ease the physical transition/buildup. Maybe instead of 8 hours a day at first, you do 4 a day for a week and build up an hour a day each week.
Regardless of what way you go, you sound like a person I would want in my organization. You are determined to find a good fit and want to work hard and be part of something that you believe in. I think HR will see that too.
posted by AugustWest at 12:17 AM on May 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
A better example was 5 years ago in my 50s. I agreed to help out a friend whose warehouse Manger went on leave for national guard duty.. Once I started I really could not quit until he returned. I really thought I was going to be hospitalized after the first week. Ice baths, steams, Ben Gay, everything I could think of including sleeping 10 hours. As an old guy, I thought I would never be able recover on a daily basis. 5 weeks later, I would come home from work and play softball, go for walks with my gf, etc.
I do not know what your limitations are and I do not want to minimize them at all, but, if this is a job you would be happy with if you were stronger or able to better be physically able to withstand the day, consider sticking with it for 4 weeks or so before you decide it really is not a good fit.
If you know now that it will never be a good fit, then ignore me, but if you think "maybe", consider seeking an accommodation that can ease the physical transition/buildup. Maybe instead of 8 hours a day at first, you do 4 a day for a week and build up an hour a day each week.
Regardless of what way you go, you sound like a person I would want in my organization. You are determined to find a good fit and want to work hard and be part of something that you believe in. I think HR will see that too.
posted by AugustWest at 12:17 AM on May 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
In the meantime, if you especially have lower back pain, especially if it feels kind of vague, like you don't know exactly where it's coming from and extends to your hips, you may want to look into an SI-belt. Could help in the interim between now and pt.
posted by bookworm4125 at 3:25 AM on May 30, 2021
posted by bookworm4125 at 3:25 AM on May 30, 2021
Is it possible within the scope of your work to bend and do stretches for your back every so often? Walk around a few paces? And, as CathyG suggests above, prop one leg up on something occasionally. That has helped me a great deal whenever I’ve been required to stand for long periods.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:46 AM on May 30, 2021
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:46 AM on May 30, 2021
Response by poster: I love your answers, but I think my body is just sending me warning alarms, because a) I have previous injuri(es) and 2) I am already pretty physically active. My doc says it's not a sacroiliac thing, either. But I do believe in PT and special exercises, I've done them a lot. I had already bought special expensive shoes for this job -- imagine if I hadn't!
Anyway, I sent an email clearly explaining (writing is easier than talking for me) and not caring about the red flag words. She asked if I thought I could work the rest of the week (Tu-Th) and I just asked her to take me off the schedule. So I have time. I am going to dig out my old Dynamic Lumbar Stabilization exercise and hope for the best. I think it's OK to join back up to Y at this point, too.
Thanks everyone.
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 10:52 AM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Anyway, I sent an email clearly explaining (writing is easier than talking for me) and not caring about the red flag words. She asked if I thought I could work the rest of the week (Tu-Th) and I just asked her to take me off the schedule. So I have time. I am going to dig out my old Dynamic Lumbar Stabilization exercise and hope for the best. I think it's OK to join back up to Y at this point, too.
Thanks everyone.
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 10:52 AM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
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posted by HotToddy at 5:11 PM on May 29, 2021 [5 favorites]