discrimination | Arthritis Information

Has anyone here been discriminated against in the work place due to their disability? I haven't worked since November22,2008 because I had vasculitis, ended up having 2 surgeries. They gave my job away because it took longer than FMLA would cover. Now I've been interviewing at the hospital I worked in for a job. Whenever I've applied for a job in the past, I've been hired right then and there. I'm a registered nurse, I have 22 years of experience. I've been on 4 interviews and they've all been a bust. Last one I went on, the unit manager says, why were you out so long? I told her then showed her my LEFT hand, the tips have been amputated. She said I don't think you can do this job and basically pushed me out the door. I just don't know how to handle this. I need to work so bad, I'm months behind on my mortgage etc. I live 20 miles form a big city and really don't want to have to work there, so much traffic etc. The hospital where I've been working I can be there in less than 10 minutes. I guess hwat I'm asking is, if I think 've been discrimated against, what should be my next move? Wendy, I am so sorry you find yourself in this situation. My tendency would be to thoroughly document everything from the time you first took leave to this moment and contact an attorney. ACLU would be my first call. They should be able to advise you and perhaps even assist you.

Best wishes, Shug
wendy... I'm sorry you are finding re-hire difficult... I think Shug has given you excellent advice. I would definitely persue via the law....Wendy I don't know the answers but I want to wish you all the best.

I'm sorry that you're in this posistion and my hope for you is that you will find a job that you like, and that you will find it soon.

I wonder, though, if it was discrimination. You didn't say what kind of job you applied for, but is their the possiblitly that due to your amputation you really aren't qualified for it anymore? Or, is it really unreasonable for your interviewer to question that? I'm not saying one way or the other. I mean, I've never been a nurse, I've never employed a nurse, at least not directly. I'm just asking.

[QUOTE=Linncn]I wonder, though, if it was discrimination. [/quote]
Which is exactly why complete documentation and lawyerly advice becomes necessary: the distinction can be troublesome.Wendy, to you! I have no advice other that to listen to Shug, she has sound judgment! Don't let this beat you down, that will only harm your health. Keep looking forward and I wish you the best! From what I can gather myself, The American's With Disabilities Act says that employers have to make adjustments for the employee if needed. I'm a registered nurse. The job was in a cardiac catheterization unit, specifically for post cath patients. When you have a cath done, they go through the femoral artery, up to your coronary arteries and put some dye in to see if there are any blockages. This is a very common procedure used to rule out coronary artery disease. When they go into the fmeoral artery they first put a sheath, sort of like an IV needle only bigger. These are pulled in the post cath care area and direct pressure has to be applied to prevent bleeding. I am right handed, I would apply pressure with that hand as opposed to my left anyway. The left is the one with the distal amputations. The unit manager saw my hand, made up her mind right then and there. Just pisses me off. I'm an ER nurse, it's what I've don for 20 years, it's what I know and what I'm good at. I think they're trying to get rid of me, just making me wait and wait till I finally go somewhere else. It is time to consult an attorney. Wendy cannot consult an attorney because she didn't have the job. It will be her word against theirs and she will quickly get no where. She cannot prove it is discrimination at this point.

Wendy, if this is the same hospital you worked at before, it may be difficult to hide what has happened as your old unit knows and they do talk between departments. But if it is a new place, do not give them any information about why you were out for an extended time. Lie if you have to, it is none of their business. All they have to know is if you can do the job listed in the job description. They cut off the tips of your fingers, not parts of your brain. If you are able to type and fill syringes, and whatever things we nurses do with our fingers, there is no reason you cannot do that job.

Do I think you were discriminated against? Absolutely. Can you prove it? No. Not unless she put it in writing somewhere. Tell these people exactly what they want to hear. Make up a reason you were on an extended leave. Lie. It is none of their business. Your health concerns are yours and only yours. They have no business delving into your health issues. As long as you can do your job, that is all that should matter.

Hmmm. Have you decided what you're going to do?