Work | Arthritis Information

Well, I am experiencing something new. I work with six women in an office setting at our loacl hospital. It is very physical work though. We work with health records and there is a lot of lifting and pulling and carrying heavy loads. Everyone during some point in the day, has some physical complaint... their toe hurts because they stubbed it, they have a sore back from the exercise they did the night before, a headache. I am a hard worker. I do my job, and do it well. So well, that I end up doing parts of their jobs... and now they expect it.

You need to stop this now and do only your work. If they ask you to do their work, you need to tell them, "sorry, I can hardly get my own job done with the way I'm feeling...then walk away. They'll get used to it and learn to do their own work.

Good luck!

dar7733, like Kelstev said, why are you doing their work? What they are doing isn't right. Why should you make their paycheck for them? Teamwork isn't where one does the work while the other sits back. You need to get YOUR work done FIRST. Then if they want you to help them put away the charts, divide it in half and only do that half. Be nice about it but be firm. Stand up for yourself and don't back down. No one is going to look out for you but your self. They will get it after you start standing up for yourself.
If things don't get better after you have stood up for yourself, then document what they are doing to you and take it to the boss. Most bosses will look in to it and then have a little talk with your co-workers. If the boss doesn't want to do anything or feels that it's not a problem, ask for more money but make sure you have productivity documention to back up your request. If all else fails, then start looking for another job and look at what happen on this job as a learning experience.

MarisaThat is so true. I agree what I am doing is only making them let me work like crazy while they sit back and talk to each other. I did do my own work and left their shares there last week. It was almost funny how upset they got. I didn't back down though. It felt really great! I thought it was going to change, but today, everything was back to normal. I am so tired. I only have another year there so I can tough it out, but I think I am going to take all my documentation (which I have already started six months ago), and have a talk with my boss. I just don't want to get them in trouble...but I guess it is their own fault. I am happy I got a promotion and am working on a project until the end of June, but when someone is off or sick, I have to fill in for them and do that job. There is three of us on this certain job, and two only do half of what they need to in the run of the day. I am left running like mad! My father keeps telling me that I will have to stand up and tell my boss what is going on. I think tormorrow, if things are not better, I will see her face to face and tell her what is happening. I didn't even tell my boss yet I have RA and am in a bad flare.

Dear DAR7733

There must be some connection between type A personalities and RA. I have the same kind of problems with my work as a teacher where I share a room with another teacher. I end up doing her work too, filling in for her when she's sick, sharing my lesson plans. etc. Part of it is self imposed. You sound like a smart, hardworking and compassionate individual. You need to think about what are in your best interests. I am trying to reprogram myself to leave on time and do my fair share of the job, not everyone else's. Especially if you plan to tell them about the RA and ask for accommodations, they won't take you sesriously if you work overtime on a regular basis and live to tell about it. I'm in the middle of negotiating accommodations through the legal representative for our teachers union and this is information they told me. Don't be a martyr: leave on time and don't let others take advantage of you.

I think because you are sick, you may feel the need to prove something. I feel that way. I know I do. I really think you should do your job and no one else's. You have nothing to prove, but preserve your own health!

It sounds like you need to look for some lines of communications with your coworkers or supervisors. I wouldn't make it about the illness either. They are just flat out sounding lazy.
Seems to me that you are being taken advantage of. You probably should tell them you will do your work and they can do theirs. They may be mad at first because they expect you to do it - but they will get over it and if they don't too bad. You have your health to look after and if they don't understand then they are selfish and only care about themselves. I know it is easier said then done but stand up to them for your health and sanity sake. I had this same problem when I joined the Air Force and one of the men I was working with that out ranked me would give me all his work and I thought it was ok because he out ranked me but finally when it became too much for me to handle I talked to my boss and he informed me that was not how the Air Force worked and that guy would be doing his own work from now on. I also had another supervisor while I was in that told me I needed to be more assertive and that was the best advice I ever got because so many people would take advantage of me but now no more. I believe in helping people but helping is different than doing it all. Take care and good luck. Sandy. STAYLOR87538812.8340625

LindaK,

I couldn't agree more about the "type A personality and Ra" statement. I have found after almost 4 years that there are a lot of "type A" people with RA. I often have wondered if it wasn't partially due to the "stress" that we put on ourselves to be more than efficient and caring of others.

I agree you need to stand up for yourself. They are taking major advantage of you. You have to look out for your own well being and not others. Only you can do this. Good luck!

You have to stand up for yourself. Once people realize they can run all over you they will continue to do so over and over again.

Be strong sister!! You can do it. It might take a few weeks to make the new arrangements clear among your co-workers; but better to have a few weeks of hard feelings than a whole year. In the long run you'll be much happier for it.

Hang in there.