HELP!!! My new job is driving my RA into overdrive!!

[Guest guest]

I need some advice regarding my new job. I worked for 16 years at a

state university that is within a system. I've had moderate RA for

12 of those 16 years. In November I was approached by a colleague

who also worked within the same university system but at a different

campus. She had accepted a directorship at the main campus of the

system. She asked me to transfer to the main campus as well. I

accepted the offer due to the chagrin of my supervisor.

Even though I just transferred from one campus to another, I am on

probation for 1 year and I'm in a " employ at will state " —so I can be

terminated for anything while on probation.

Well, it's been down hill ever since. The colleague is my director,

which is fine we get along great; however, I have an immediate

supervisor who absolutely hates me. But my main problem is that

since the transfer to the new position 3 weeks ago, I've been

battling a huge arthritic flare up that I just can't shake. It seems

like everything is against me.

My commute is longer—I lived just down the street from the smaller

campus. The main campus is 25 miles away in bumper to bumper

traffic, which means I have to leave home at 6:30 in the morning and

not return home until 7 p.m. or later at night. At the smaller

campus my hours were 7:30-4:30 and I was home no later than 5 p.m.

(with occasional over-time). During the interview the director had

said I could flex my time but once hired the supervisor (who was

present during the interview) says I'm not allowed to flex my time,

and she wants me to stay late. My job is considered professional

staff, so no matter how much time I work in overtime, I will not be

compensated.

This campus is huge compared to the campus I was working; everything

is farther—HR, cafeteria, parking, the distance of the parking lot to

the building, steeper stairs to get into the building, the

organization of the files, and distance to the restrooms. Neither

the layout of building nor the campus is easily accessible for a

person suffering with RA. Everything contributes to keeping my flare

up going.

My mom and friends see how I'm suffering with the pain, swelling, and

fatigue. My feet swell each day I work until my shoes are unbearable

to wear. I haven't visited my rheumy yet, I just talked to staff who

relayed a message to my rheumy's PA who prescribed a Medrol dosepak

and normally they work immediately, but it's has taken a longer time

of getting the swelling and inflammation to leave my body, so far

I've flushed out 30 lbs of fluid from my body with the dose pack, but

this is only a temporary solution.

The good news is that a company that I've always wanted to work for

offered me a job last week that I accepted. The company is one mile

away from my home, and they offer flextime which was discussed in the

interview, there is only one building and the parking lot and

building is very handicap accommodating. They want me to begin the

second week of February. My friends all say this is a really good

place to work with lots of opportunities for growth and very, very

low turnover rates.

My mom and my friends want me to quit my current job at the

university and rest for a couple of weeks until my new job starts.

But I'm trying to hold on and work through the end of the month

because I don't want to have to pay for COBRA (my new job insurance

kicks in the first day of work).

I have over 300 hours of sick leave that I will lose when I leave the

university. What about notice since I'm on probation? One thought

I've batted around was that maybe I can go to the doctor explain the

situation and take sick leave through my notice. It is strange to

say but I've never quit a job while on probation. I have always had

really good working relationships with my supervisors and bosses, so

this is completely new to me, plus factoring in my RA. So, how do I

cut myself loose from this toxic job to start my new job?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

K