The topic of work discrimination came up a while back and though I never posted in the thread it was on my mind.
Last summer I broke my leg and ankle and was out of work for a few months while it heeled. Two surgeries and 4 months after the break I went back to work part time for a bit and eased back into full time. I'm a software engineer so I was able to work at home too.
Well soon after going back to work I was inexplicably labeled "slow" meaning not able to get my projects done on time. I was flabergasted because the one thing I had always been in addition to thorough was fast. I couldn't shake this label no matter how much I tried. I couln't help but think that my being out in addition to my RA (which I never complain about at work) was being used against me.
I considered leaving but stayed to lead a project. I worked a ton of hours and collaborated with various team members to meat our dates and in fact we finished early. Then they loaded more and more work on me. I also got passed over for a huge promotion. That's the short version.
This entire time I couldn't help but feel that I was being treated like a third class citizen and wondered if my (quite obvious) RA was being held against me in some way.
So I quit! Gave my notice a few weeks ago and I'm free, free at last. Of course I'll have to pay for my insurance through cobra and live on ramen noodles but I can't tell you how free I feel. I felt so oppressed working there and hated the feeling that they felt it was ok and warrented to treat me badly.
Now... my next dilemna... job searching.
Have any of you encountered any discrimination while job seeking? I'm a bit concerned that mis-informed (ok, ignorant) people might construe my RA as more than just a physical ailment. I had an interview last week that went well. Not a sideways glance from any of my interviewers (you know those looks, lol). But there have been some interviews where I have not heard a peep back. It could merely be the job seeking climate and I'm worrying for nothing. But there's no hiding my RA with my grandma hands and obvious limp.
I think my work experiences and my communication skills should speak for themseleves but you know how people are. Some people are just ... well.... idiots, lol.
I ditto that some people are idiots! I've been labelled as "the slow one" at my
He calmed me down and told me that I was perfectly capable of working (which I already knew) and that the doc was just trying to protect the County which is who I work for. I did get hired but believe me I was ready to file discrimination charges if they denied me employment. I was already offered the job and I knew I would pass the drug test.
Needless to say, I try not to say anything to anyone at work. My only problem is when I gell or my feet hurt. At that point, people do notice and ask if I'm okay and I just brush it off.
Good luck on your job hunt. Remember, potential employers cannot ask you about your health issues!
It's all going to depend on the job you're applying for. You're not going to want a job you can't physically handle anyway.
I personally would do my best to keep it private; and at least get on board somewhere and prove to them that you are able to handle the job.
That's what I did. I never mentioned it to anyone until it was obvious that I was the right person for this job. Now it doesn't matter. If you do a good job and make your self valuable to the company depsite your physical restrictions the company will bend over backwards to accomadate you and your illness when nessesary. If you have any feeling that they may not be understanding of your problems I would advise not taking that position. The stress from work related issues only aggrevate our condition and make things physically worse on you.
Don't go in somewhere with a chip on your shoulder about discrimination. No one will want to hire someone like that...I wouldn't either.
Best of luck to you in your search. It's not easy...but there are jobs out there that we can manage quite nicely....and lots of employers that will be willing to accept your limitations once they learn you are a dedicated, trusted access to the company.
Lovie
That's the thing. My last company I did prove myself over and over again by making and beating deadlines yet I couldn't shake the inexplicable "slow" label that was attached to me.
I never discuss my health issues with anyone I work with. However, my RA is quite obvious and impossible to hide. Some may know it's RA but some (not at work that I know of) thought it was MS.
I've never had a chip on my shoulder about anything in life. This is truly the only time that I have encountered what I feel to be discrimmination. I have no proof, just good old fashion hunches.
I'm a software engineer so none of my jobs are physical. I sit at a desk at a computer. I know my limitations as far as commuting, walking and so forth. I have been working since I've been 16 so I'm no stranger to the working world.
It's just that for the first time in my life I feel like I was discrimmintaed at work and it's such an awful, unsettling feeling. Especially afer having busting my butt for them for over 2 years. I think my unfortunate broken ankle really brought my RA to light and some (idiots) handled it wrong.
Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement.
Sometimes things happen for a reason. Maybe all this happened so you would find a new opprotunity. One that will make you even happier.
Good Luck to you.
i was so scared for my DOT physical-As a truck driver you are required to get one every 2 yrs,but if you have health conditions its every year,I have to have one every year,same as hubby.(due to high blood pressure)this would be my first year with RA-they do a drug test,and want you to write meds down.BUT I did not tell them about RA-or meds.On our physical papers they want you to tell them if you have high blood pressure,heart,diabetes,and the other which they started listing this year is RA(who would figure that,after I now have it)It also said I would have to physically prove I could and preform my job.The day the physical took place was a very bad,super stiff day.I DID NOT TELL THEM.I didn't think I would clear,without a dot physical card-you are not legal to drive truck.sherry