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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Out of Work due to CH-FIRST TIME!
        
(Message started by: KateA on Jun 1^st, 2006, 7:27pm)

Title: Out of Work due to CH-FIRST TIME!
Post by KateA on Jun 1^st, 2006, 7:27pm

HI everyone,
Turning to you all again for some advice on how to handle my employer situation. Having had clusters every day for three years, I am off of work on medical leave for 3 weeks. This is the first time I have missed as much as a day due to the headaches. Essentially, I had a severe reaction to some medications and ended up in the hospital, and now we are trying to get me upright and at 100%.

Here is the kicker: I have only been in this job for about 8 weeks, and the 2 weeks prior to my going out were fairly rocky, for several reasons. MY director was telling me that I was not up to snuff. Looking back on it all, I can see that it was the meds (mostly the increased Topomax) that was causing the problem. The CEO is being very open about me coming back and working it out. I am getting a bit of a different feeling from the director.

What is your suggestion in terms of sharing info re: CH with them? They know why I am out, and that I have CH, but at the end of the day, it does just sound like a headache, you know? Has anyone else found themselves in a similar situation? And would it be to my benefit to provide them some information about CH so they understand this is not just the "take 2 advil and a nap" kind of headache?

Meanwhile, I am also trying to retain a bit of privacy...

THoughts?

Many thanks in advance, Kate

Title: Re: Out of Work due to CH-FIRST TIME!
Post by nani on Jun 1^st, 2006, 7:37pm

Hi Kate, you may want to show them this:
http://www.ouch-us.org/chgeneral/colleagueletter.htm
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Out of Work due to CH-FIRST TIME!
Post by Jonny on Jun 1^st, 2006, 7:44pm

Nice catch, Nani :-*

Title: Re: Out of Work due to CH-FIRST TIME!
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jun 2^nd, 2006, 7:03am

Got to agree with Jonny, good catch Nani.
If that doesn’t work; because there are some fruit loops out there who wouldn’t recognize an apple if you shoved it in their mouth, then download a copy of Chuck’s attack and make them sit through that.
If that doesn’t work then they really aren’t human.

With thanks to Chuck
Kind Regards
Barry

Title: Re: Out of Work due to CH-FIRST TIME!
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 3^rd, 2006, 8:10am

If I recall correctly, you have Federal job protection when you are honestly trying to resolve a medical problem, even though it may be temporarily interfering with job performance. (Unfortunately, I junked the legal book covering Federal law when I retired but I suspect that searching the web re. such laws would pull up an organization which could advise you.)

Title: Re: Out of Work due to CH-FIRST TIME!
Post by chewy on Jun 4^th, 2006, 8:50am

Quote:

And would it be to my benefit to provide them some information about CH so they understand this is not just the "take 2 advil and a nap" kind of headache?

Without question. Get the info into your HR file ASAP.

Ypu can't be fired due to a diabilty IF you have informed the employer ahead of time. You can be fired for poor job performance and explaining it as a result of a diosability AFTER the fact wont help you much.

Title: Re: Out of Work due to CH-FIRST TIME!
Post by Katherinecm on Jun 4^th, 2006, 11:23pm

I've been through a very similar situation. I have been on a medical leave for several months now. DO explain that you have CH- for legal purposes it is classified as a migraine (as are any severe headaches unrelated to tension), which IS protected federally as a disability. My understanding from my company is that this means that they have to give you unpaid time off whenever you need with NO consequences, and if you are having trouble performing on some aspects of your job they must give you other tasks to do during those times.

Obviously they are only forced to give you protection for a disability if they are aware of the disability. They may (and probably will) ask your doctor to verify your condition in writing, as well as what type of allowances should be made. I would start by explaining your condition to the person who's already on your side. Also explain that this is a first for you. Until my situation got so bad that I was unable to work at all, my company was fantastic about allowing me time off whenever I needed it and allowing me to make up time when I could. At the same time I was very careful to try and go home whenever I realized my performance was suffering.

I'm not an attorney so I don't know if federal disability protection applies to all companies (it could be it is similar to health insurance laws and only applies to companies of a certain size).

You can search online for migraine disability and rights and you may find more helpful information.

Good Luck,
Katy