Ok...to make this short...my hisbands work is giving him crap about his new found RA. He has gone to work regardless of his pain and restricted motion of his arms and hands. He has always gave them every doctor's note, bill, ect...NOW his boss says until they get a letter stating his diagnosis, restrictions if any, treatment and future outcome becasue of RA he will NOT get paid for work! His boss told him to stay home today and get a letter faxed to his work and now he said if the paper is not there by today he will not get paid for today! They also said he may now be seen as "not reliable" for his job if his illness causes him to miss work! He is so upset, he works no matter what all the time.
Is the LEGAL? Can they fire you for having RA?
As long as he is going to work, performing his job requirements, etc., they have to pay him. I would recommend getting a drs letter explaining his limitations, accomadations needed, etc. Also, maybe calling the Labor Board of your state to find out the law may be helpful. I'm sorry you and your husband are going through this, having RA is stressful enough, without having to deal with insensitive employers. *hugs*YICKS!! That's horrible. I'm not sure exactly what the laws are....but it doesn't sound legal to me.
Sure hope someone more helpful than me will be along soon to give you some good advise.
Hope everything works out for you guys. This sounds horrible.
Yeah, find out what the laws are where you live...call the Labour Board.
That's really rotten of his boss Your husband has rights too. His boss is creating a hostile work enviroment. First of all, your husband doesn't need to tell the boss every little detail about his health. Your husband needs to go to the higher ups and report to them what's going on. If that can't be done, than go to the state labor board. If all else fails, consider taking legal action. Whatever action you decide to take, just make sure that you have the documation to back up your claims.
In this day and age, there's no reason why people need to put up with this. There's federal laws that protect us and this boss needs to get current and learn better people skills.
Sorry for the rant but I just hate to see anybody treated this way. Some bosses are such A.. holes.
Marisa Kelstev, love the avtar.
MarisaThanks MarisaIt depends on the state you live in. Arizona is a right to work
state, they can fire you at any time for any reason.
I would check with a local employment law attorney and ask some
questions. You can often get a free consultation.
lawguru.com is a site I have used in the past for my own legal
advice. I would check their first. You can select your
state and get some info.
Check out the Americans with Disabilities Act. I believe that if your husband's doctor puts in writing what your husband can't do, that if he can do the main portion of his job, the company is required to make reasonable accommodations for him. This is true for companies with 15 or more individuals and if the accommodations would not cause undue hardship. Undue hardship would be costing the company an unreasonable amount of money. It's tricky because if his RA causes him too much trouble, he might not be able to do the job and they might have to find other work for him to do or let him go.I have been going through the same situation with my work as a teacher and I am getting legal help through my teacher's union. If there is a union where your husband works, that might be a good place to get information.I agree with Linda, the unions offer great support. Also finding out what the laws are in your state is a good starting place. Honostly, I would be sending out job apps. on the double. Just in case things get too nasty. I am sorry to hear that yall are going through this, it really is a shame. Good Luck to you both.Thanks crunchy, I do feel supported here and I get a lot of good ideas too.
also check out http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
Accomodations also are dependent on the size of the company. Smaller companies can get away with more. Also contact your Vocational Rehab department in your state right away. They are supposed to help you get or maintain employment. They tend to want to help you keep your current job first. Or, find you a job in the same field. If that's not possible, then they will help retrain you for something else. None of the options are too pretty. It can be awfully hard to figure a solution.
I got frustrated and went back to work. But it depends on the quality of the person trying to help you.
That really bites!! If he is going to work and doing his job they have to pay him. I agree that you need to get some legal help to make sure your husbands rights are being looked after. Keep us posted and hoping the best for you!!