My oxygen was brought up at work

[Guest guest]

My use of oxygen was brought up at work . Notice in particular the last line of her response. I work in an Independent Living/Assisted Living home. The front desk is required to assist the Ind Liv people in emergencies...

What do you think? Anyone ever had this happen to them?

From: Joy Kiefner Oh, I was going to ask you if my oxygen did make it harder to run to an event, perform CPR, or whatever, would that mean I would lose my job?

Joy

Executive Director's response to above.

Hi Joy,

It is an essential duty of the receptionist to respond to emergencies, fire alarms and perform CPR/ First Aid. If you are unable to perform these duties then you would be unable to continue working at the front desk. This position is a first responder position. We trust that you will not put resident safety at risk and will let us know if you are unable to perform the duties of your position.

Thank you for asking.

[Guest guest]

Joy

This is a very difficult issue so let me give you a couple of the

relevant points. First, is that outlined clearly in a job description of

that position? Is it a matter of doing something you couldn't do with

oxygen? If so, then it becomes a matter of " reasonable accommodation. "

Is there an easy alternative? For instance is there someone else right

beside you who could respond? Is there an easy switch between

responsibilities in some way? There is no hard and fast rule for

reasonable accommodation but generally it is something that could be

accomplished by the company within a budget that is affordable to them.

For instance, a larger computer monitor would be reasonable in almost

any circumstance. Providing a powerchair to an employee for times they

need to move around generally would be. You say it could be expensive

for a small company, then get a used one. Now, if you worked circulating

in a welding shop clearly oxygen couldn't be accommodated. In your

situation, if you're the only person available to do that during those

time periods, I don't see that they have a reasonable accomodation

available.

I would be very careful though in determining oxygen in some way

prevents you from being capable of things. One can run with oxygen. One

on oxygen could provide CPR. Don't sell yourself short. Just because

they aren't use to seeing one on oxygen do it, doesn't mean you can't.

And as long as you can do it, termination would be in violation of the

Americans with Disabilities Act. It's not like your job requires you to

run at all times or perform CPR full time. I would think on early stages

of oxygen there isn't anything in the job you can't do. Later there

might be but you'd be at the point of work really being too tough on you

anyway. I've seen Leanne fly across the room in her office. She could

have rescued anyone. She just couldn't do that 8 hours a day. Last year

fell in front of my apartment. I can assure you oxygen in no way

kept me from running to check on her.

Here is a link to great information on the law which applies to any

employer with over 15 employees.

http://www.ada.gov/q%26aeng02.htm

Now, can most of us afford the time and money in litigating against a

former employer? No. But you'll know when you can't do the job. Until

then I'd just keep doing it.

>

>

> My use of oxygen was brought up at work . Notice in particular the

last

> line of her response. I work in an Independent Living/Assisted Living

> home. The front desk is required to assist the Ind Liv people in

> emergencies...

>

> What do you think? Anyone ever had this happen to them?

>

> From: Joy Kiefner

> Oh, I was going to ask you if my oxygen did make it harder to run to

an

> event, perform CPR, or whatever, would that mean I would lose my job?

>

> Joy

>

>

> Executive Director's response to above.

>

> Hi Joy,

>

> It is an essential duty of the receptionist to respond to

emergencies,

> fire alarms and perform CPR/ First Aid. If you are unable to perform

> these duties then you would be unable to continue working at the front

> desk. This position is a first responder position. We trust that you

> will not put resident safety at risk and will let us know if you are

> unable to perform the duties of your position.

>

>

>

> Thank you for asking.

>

[Guest guest]

Joy.... I'm sure this reply from the Ex Dir was not what you wanted to read...

How do YOU feel about it? ARE you able to perform those duties as required?

Bummer, huh.

MamaSher; 70, IPF 3-06, OR. NasturtiumsDon't fret about tomorrow, God is already there!

My oxygen was brought up at work

My use of oxygen was brought up at work . Notice in particular the last line of her response. I work in an Independent Living/Assisted Living home. The front desk is required to assist the Ind Liv people in emergencies...

What do you think? Anyone ever had this happen to them?

From: Joy Kiefner Oh, I was going to ask you if my oxygen did make it harder to run to an event, perform CPR, or whatever, would that mean I would lose my job?

Joy

Executive Director's response to above.

Hi Joy,

It is an essential duty of the receptionist to respond to emergencies, fire alarms and perform CPR/ First Aid. If you are unable to perform these duties then you would be unable to continue working at the front desk. This position is a first responder position. We trust that you will not put resident safety at risk and will let us know if you are unable to perform the duties of your position.

Thank you for asking.