Re: Thanks so much

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/12/02 2:06:57 AM Central Daylight Time,

njtomato@... writes:

<< After 3 times..it can't always be buttheads for bosses. It must be

me! The first job I probably weighed 400 pounds, the second I had my surgery

and was around 200 when I was let go. And then there was now. >>

Sue,

My guess on these situations would be that the first time had to do with

your weight and maybe the company's concerns over possible health issues or

worker's comp issues that might arise (or just plain prejudice). The second

time, well, I suspect that similar to this recent time, it has to do with the

time off for your surgeries (WLS and then reconstructive PS). Companies tend

to get irritated over time off, even for good, valid medical reasons. It

does get disruptive, and even though people know that you would be at work if

you COULD, they feel like they still get stuck having to take care of things.

They find themselves thinking it would just " be easier " if there was someone

else in the job who wasn't in need of leave.

I have been on the giving and receiving end of this situation. A long

while back I supervised a young woman who was ill so many times that we

actually started charting it. She was frequently late to work due to

illness. She had a brief hospital stay. Now, with those things going on,

other things that we would have otherwise overlooked or worked on to improve,

became really big issues and the powers that be decided to fire her. There

were concerns that because of her health issues she might file for some type

of protection under the ADA. The corporate attorneys said to " severance her

ass out of here today. " It was the most brutal thing I ever witnessed, but I

have to admit, that it did solve a problem for me even though it left me

feeling awful. The tables turned on me a few years later when I found myself

in a health crisis and needed to take a medical leave of absence to deal with

a horrible, life threatening depression. After returning to work (which

happened way too soon) I was following up with my doctor once or twice a week

and out of the office for appointments. One year later, I was demoted, had

my pay cut by $50K, making less money than the person who reported to me and

given the option to to instead quit with a severance. The major reasons

cited to me (by my unthinking boss) was the fact that I was now undependable

and that he was afraid I would need another leave of absence (those remarks,

when disclosed to the upper powers resulted in a lot more $$$$ as part of my

severance package.. thank you for being so stupid!).

I guess my point here is that even though things can be going well, and

you think that you are part of a work " family " when push comes to shove, the

business always wins out over the employee's personal needs. There isn't job

security for any of us anymore. My guess is that as your reconstructive

surgeries approach the end and you regain your full health that you won't

encounter problems with your job. Good luck with your job search. I hope

you find the company can see what an asset you will be for them.

Beth

Houston, TX

VBG - Dr. Srungaram

05/31/00 - 314 lbs.

04/08/02 - 169 lbs.

5'10 "