Anyone Else Having Problems at Work?
 

I suffered a concussion 2/20/13 - my car was hit by a drunk driver.

I still am suffering from short-term memory problems, and get very tired after using my brain most of the day. My thinking and processing is slower than it once was as well.

I have been seeing a neurologist since the first week, but he hasn't been very helpful. I finally asked to be referred to neuro testing, and saw a great neuropsychologist, who pinpointed by problem and has referred me for rehab (Speech Therapist) at a rehab hospital.

He told me that I absolutely can learn, but that what I learn I have trouble retrieving, and the longer it goes between learning and doing - or someone asking me to do something and me doing it, the details become scattered and it is hard to pull it all together.

He also said because my job is "brain intense" (I am a financial professional - work with numbers and details all day) and because I am 55, my recovery will be slower.

He gave me a list of "considerations" that I needed at the work place - a quiet space to work (I have my own office, I can shut the door), clear instructions and not giving instructions to me at the water cooler (I have asked that everyone email me or sit with me so I can write things down), and just an understanding that my brain is injured so things may take me longer, but I am getting treatment, and getting better. He recommended I stay on my current 6 hour a day schedule, which is difficult because PIP (wage reimbursement through car insurance) has stopped, but my health comes first.

I emailed everyone to explain the situation, and thought all was fine.

However, the company is going through a change, lots of work, and the woman who runs operations and oversees the work (and me) is outwardly resentful that she is working long hours and I am only working 4 hours.

She has been noticably hostile to me once she realized I wasn't coming back FT just because the insurance payments had stopped. It was clear in the beginning she didn't want me coming back at all.

She has started - in email - making false negative comments about my work - i.e, that I have trouble maneuvering around spreadsheets (when a task took longer than she thought it should) when in fact it took long because it was a parsing of many reports, and researching data.

In short, all of my tasks are not being monitored by her where I once worked independently (this is a supervision change from my boss to her in the last week) and I am questioned on everything I do "why it took so long" when she thinks it should have taken "x" amount of time.

This is only adding to my stress level, and is not helpful. I told her as much, and her response is "it's my job to have the office rise to the level of productivity expected". I think she thinks if she comes down on me hard enough, she will make my life miserable and I will quit and they won't have to pay unemployment.

There have been a few other nasty encounters - my boss in one meeting told me to my face "I was not OK, and I was a liability to his company". I assured him I was working carefully, and in no way would ever do anything to jeopardize his company or my work. However, presumably under the guise of a job title change when we moved to the new broker dealer, all of my securities licenses were stripped. Although this didn't affect my pay where I am, it will affect my future job prospects and earning power. I have no doubt it was done because of my head injury.

I'm sick to my stomach about going to work every day, and now the headaches are coming back. I am so stressed by all this I am starting to make mistakes (which I have caught and corrected).

There is a tone now that anything wrong is caused by me - there was an instance yesterday where a client had an issue accessing his account, and my boss told the client he had not been set up properly and email the woman (above) when in fact it was a system problem.

I also have used up all of my sick time (a whopping 5 days) the first week I was out after the accident, so going to rehab will be a stuggle, since I am told I have to "make up" any time out of the office.

I need my job, so I can't just quit, but this has become intolerable. I don't know what to do.....

I do have an attorney, who has been helping me with sorting through the bills and working with the insurance companies, but I wonder if I need an employment attorney. This just feels so wrong to me. But maybe that's life.

If you were in the UK I would be advising you to keep a good record of all of this low-level harassment because the disability discrimination act requires employers to make 'reasonable adjustments' to someone with a disability or long term condition. It sounds like you are perfectly capable of contributing to the work of this company, if they just made a few such adjustments like part time work and reduced time pressure.

I would also advise you to get in touch with your union if you are a member, or talk to some sort of legal representative about your options, should you need to use them. Your idea of talking to an employment attorney sounds spot on to me, and I would advise you to do it ASAP. Even if you decide you don't need to take action at this stage, it would be useful to know your options and the sort of evidence they would need you to be gathering. Be prepared.

I don't know what the legal situation is in the US but perhaps someone else is aware of similar legal protection?

I would also advise you to try to get yourself referred to the company's occupational health department or provider. You can put them in touch with your neuropsych if necessary and they should have the power to make recommendations to your boss about adjustments you need to the workplace in order to function to your optimum level.

You are being discriminated against because of your condition - it is a very stressful situation to be in but I'm sure all of us here feel for you and wish you the best of luck :)

Thank you so very much for your advice. This board has been a Godsend to me....

Unfortunately I work in a very small company - 5 people - no resources to help me, and no union. I do not have disability insurance either.

I am going to call my Neuropsych today and get advice. Have advised my regular attorney - perhaps both would be able to send "warning letters" of some sort.

I am also going to find an employment attorney. I think just talking with someone about what is going on, knowing what options I have, what is right, what is wrong will help me feel better and ease the stress.

Thank you again.

This sort of situation is very stressful, and stress is bad for your recovery. During periods when I was having struggles with my employer I did not really progress with my recovery at all, which I feel was because the constant stress was using up all the energy I needed for healing.

Getting these other people involved is I think a good idea. I got my neurologist and union rep to write to my employer. The more you can get other people to fight your battles for you the less stressed you should be, hopefully.

Best wishes!

I had a concussion in November and needed five months off work. I then started going back two days a week with reduced hours, and over time I gradually increased my days and hours. I have recently started working full time.

This phased return to work was agreed with my manager and occupational health, and in consultation with a Neuropsychologist. I am also part of a Union. Unlike yourself, I also work in a large statutory organisation, so there was cover for me when needed.

What is happening is wrong. I would get your Neuropsychologist to write a letter, you will get better and back to normal but it takes time. Putting you under pressure is not going to help your work or recovery.

Aggh... this is just so frustrating.

I called my neuropsych hoping he could write a letter to my employer and he doesn't want to get involved. So I contacted my attorney, who asked me to write something for his review - no idea what I am supposed to write.

The I tried booking my rehab, and they won't take appts from patients, only doctors, and my neuropsych told me to have my primary book it. Not sure why he couldn't do it. My primary is out today so have to wait until tomorrow to see if she's open to doing that. If not, not sure how to proceed.

I feel like I really need a "case mgr" directing all this - return to work plan, helping with any accommodations at work that might ease the stress. Coordinating the care and trying to find resources is stressful!

Thank God for this board!

My work was completely horrible for over an year and a half until I threatened them with a harassment grievance (based on disability). The stress that it caused me and my family as I was trying to heal was enormous and probably had an impact on my healing.
I still find it hard to speak about.
Will be going back full time in the next few months (I hope!) but it will be difficult due to lack of support.

hang in there. I understand.

Not sure exactly what you asked him to write, but if he is reluctant to write something confrontational to your employer, why not ask if he can simply put in writing the strategies and adaptations you need to function effectively in the workplace? Explain to him that your workplace doesn't have an occupational health department, so he is the nearest thing you have and you need a return to work plan which takes account of your information processing difficulties?

I don't see how he could reasonably object to that, since it's his job to test and make recommendations regarding your cognitive difficulties. At least then you'd have something to show your employer and attorney regarding reasonable adjustments they could make, signed by a health professional. He wouldn't even have to address it to your employer, he could address it to you, like he was just providing you with the information for your own use.

If you have an email or postal address for him it might be better to write and ask him for this than to tell him in person or on the phone. That way you can make sure you've worded it in a way that will make it very hard for him to reasonably refuse, rather than risking getting overloaded trying to put it into words and risk him not understanding or being able to say no more easily.

I am doing a research project into PCS at the moment. One of the findings I am coming out with is that people with this condition desperately want health professionals to help explain their needs to family, friends and employers, but health professionals tend to see it as purely a problem with the individual and will not involve themselves with this sort of thing. It is very unhelpful. I think until this changes the only way forward is to take charge and tell the health professionals exactly what you need in writing.

If in the U.S., you might check with your State's Dept. of Labor, about Harassment issues on the job; about FMLA issues, and the number of employees status of your work site, and if you qualify, explaining your situation.

When I was employed, injured on the job, and dealing with FMLA, etc. I asked for information and advice about issues and lawyers from this site. They were helpful, and one attorney even emailed me with helpful advice (he was from another State) and helped with finding a local attorney listing to discuss the situation.... at no charge from him.

Disclaimer: I do not have any association with that site other than I used them in my own search for help. Honestly. :)

Best Wishes ................. :grouphug:

Thank you for the site.

Well... my attorney doesn't want to send the letter, he wants me to send it, however, I already email my work colleagues a summary of the recommendations after my neuro appt., and it obviously is not sinking in - with the Ops Mgr. anyway.

I thought the letter, coming from him would be a "reminder" that this is a legal matter as well as a health matter.

I will then try my neuropsych again, and frame things differently. I think he thought he was going to have to get in the middle of things, but that was not my intent. I just think something - in writing - from a 3rd party will carry more weight than it will coming from me.

Still no luck getting my rehab appts. set up. Trying to be patient.

Generally speaking, who is the provider that does the return to work plan? - Primary Care, Rehab Specialist (I have been referred for both Occupational Therapy as well as Speech Therapy), Neurologist, or Neuropsychologist?

That's EXACTLY what I'm trying to say. Your lived experiences of post concussion symptoms will not be accepted as 'truth' until a health professional is seen to back them up. Sad but true, especially given the lack of knowledge most health professionals seem to have about this condition.

Mine was done by an occupational health doctor, no good to you perhaps but anyone else reading this might want to give a referral to one of them a try, their reports for my employer were absolutely fantastic, they really listened to me, got to the heart of my situation and difficulties and made my employer understand them.

My neuropsychologist also made recommendations of this type, which could have been very useful to show my employer had I not had the occupational health report.

I am an occupational therapist myself. I didn't get to see one when I was unwell, I wish I had. OTs are concerned with participation in valued life roles and should jump at the chance to do a return to work plan. There is a slight danger that you might get one that is used to working with more severe brain injuries and only knows how to teach people how to wash themselves in the shower or boil an egg. Hopefully you will get a good one and if so they should be a great help with this.

Thank you again. I finally got my first piece of good news about an hour ago.

My primary care doctor's office called and she is going to call tomorrow and make my 1st rehab appt. Hopefully I get someone good. And hopefully there are no snags.

I will have to try and hold on at work and not put up with any abuse, but I know the next few weeks will be a struggle as my boss is out for 2 weeks and the woman who has just been put "in charge" who already dislikes me will be after me non-stop.

She goes on email "benders" putting instructions in multiple emails, then changing the instructions in future emails. So in the end I have about 15 emails, all with tasks, some conflicting and I think my head is going to explode.

Not to mention the constant - "why did that take you so long, I estimated it should have only taken you "x" amount of time".

I'm crossing my fingers I get another piece of good news and my attorney comes through with the letter tomorrow. I'm not good at fighting battles at work, especially when I'm not 100%.

BTW, the Brain Injury Institute in the state I live in has been very helpful, sending me lots of information on disability, support groups, etc.

Hi,

I lost my job because I didn't know what was wrong with me and my boss was extremely abusive. I ended up losing it at work and it didn't end well for me.

Do you have a person that can go with you to these appointments and advocate on your behalf? I wish my hubby had of come to some of mine and told the Dr's what was happening.

My new psychologist is being a great advocate for me at the moment in terms of compensation but the damage has been done. She told me to take my hubby to any future appointments. The only problem is IME's won't allow it.

Anyway I digress, I'm only telling my story - not to scare but to hopefully get a better outcome for you. If I had my time again, I wouldn't stress so much about work and just go at my own pace. When you get the emails, find a way to work out what she wants and toss the rest. Perhaps print them and write a list for you to follow.

When your boss is being a pain, go to the toilet for time out. Anything to get you in a better space. Stressing makes you worse.

This is getting too big so I will finish. :hug:

I am now afraid to have the attorney send the letter. It is not inflammatory at all - just lists the things my neuropsych said would be helpful at work in my recovery. He called them "considerations".

I think a note from him would be less apt to put them on edge.

It is a tough situation, as my boss has been fine, it's the woman I report to directly. However, she works about 100 hours a week, has been there 10 years, and is very close to the boss, so I can't go to him and complain about her. He said once before we "just need to all get along". I know if it came down to her or me, he would let me go. He just hates conflict, and she is more valuable to him. Plus she has his ear and will spin it in her favor.

I'm all for getting along, but when MY work is being monitored and snide remarks are made only to me by this woman, I think it borders on harrassment, but I feel trapped....

I'm afraid sending the letter will put more of a spotlight on me and then they may say I can't do my job, I take too long, etc., etc., whatever the woman wants to make up to get rid of me.

I was in the same position. Everyone else could get away with leaving early or taking longer lunches yet I was criticized for everything.

Apparently they were angry because I took time off.

I really feel for you. Its hard to know what to do. When I left I was told that I need to get along with people. Not sure how to when you are abused for taking time off after an injury... and all the rest I got.

Can you negotiate shorter days? Is there someone in your workplace that helps with injuries?

Honestly, just ignore her as much as possible. Do your work to the best of your ability and what happens will happen. I know its hard.:hug: but if you can keep doing your work she won't have much of a case. If she goes to the boss all you can do is show that you have been working.:hug:

No, there is no one I can go to. I work in a company with 5 people.

I have just started keeping a "log", documenting every minute of my day - including bathroom breaks - so that if I ever get called on the carpet for "taking too long" I can show where the time went.

It is hard, because my boss asks me to do something, and then she "directs" my work, sending me 20 emails a day, asking me to do all kinds of other things, so his stuff never gets touched. I realize now I have to document all of this - in email - so that I don't get blamed for being sidetracked.

I also am keeping notes of every little "dig" and nasty comment that is made, although to the best of my knowledge, bullying is not illegal. Shame.

"bullying" is harrassment.

If you have a dellphone, or recorder on the computer, with mic, turn it on anytime she is near - let it capture her 'conversations' with you, and 'snide' remarks.

Its fairly easy to learn to do, just read the 'help' tag on recording on the computer.

Then email them to yourself, and store them on your private email, for 'proof'.

Yeah, I thought of that, but isn't recording someone without their permission illegal?

Luckily, most of her "snide" remarks are documented right in her emails. She can't seem to help herself.

It helps that I have asked that any work instructions are in writing due to my concussion, and have asked - unless urgent - not to be continually interrupted during the day - so I can capture alot of what is going on.

Problem is, with a boss that defends her that I can't go to or he will say I can't get along and have to be let go, and no union, no HR dept., there is no one to "tell" what is going on - other than here - LOL! Helps my psyche but not the situation.

I'm not a lawyer, you could ask one about recording conversations; however courts have spoken to this :

Recording conversations

With linked explanation.

So, I read it as if covering yourself, you are not doing anything 'bad'..... just my opinion.

And if I had to do something, I would be recording the conversation if in your circumstance.......... but I'm the type of person that would tell her that, 'oh, please, wait a second while I turn on my recorder so I understand everything you are saying and have something to refer to while working.." :rolleyes:

;)

In the UK, this sort of harassment and discrimination is technically illegal, and people do get done for it, though I'm sure a lot get away with it too. I suspect the situation is the same in the US so I would urge you to keep gathering evidence and getting legal advice, if you want or really do need to stay in this job.

The more I hear about this though, the more I think you should question whether you do really need to stay there. It sounds like a totally toxic situation which will leave you far too stressed to get much healing done. Is it a case of really needing the money to live, or are there any other options like living off a partner for a while or moving in with a relative? Not ideal but better than what sounds like a bit of nightmare you're dealing with at the moment.

It's not right that you have to make that choice but your first priority needs to be getting yourself better. Don't feel that you have to stay there in order to 'beat' this foul woman - if she's working 100 hours a week and treating people in this way then she's obviously already so full of greed, anger and unfulfilled ambition that she's probably at least as unhappy as you are. It's important to spend as little time around such people as possible, in my experience.

Thank you, yes, the situation is toxic for a lot of reasons, and has been for a long time. It just seemed to escalate with this injury, as I feel there is a lot of resentment built up.

I told my atty not to send the letter I was going to, as I was worried about backlash, and can't deal with any more tension right now. My headaches are starting to come back, and at the end of the day I am thoroughly exhausted. I almost feel like I am backsliding instead of getting better.

I am going to call my neuropsych again and see if he will out the list of work considerations in writing - to me - so that I have a record of the environment he thinks will help my recovery best.

I am married, but it would be a very tight to live on my husband's income. We barely can get by on both. Even trickier, my husband has just learned he has cancer, so is retiring in May 2014. He will have a small pension, but we could never survive on that alone.

I am afraid if I lose this job, I don't have the brain power to get and learn another job, and it is a very tight job market still.

I have consulted with an employment lawyer that I know, just to get her take on the situation and how best to protect myself and handle what is going on in light of my injury. My attorney is OK (family friend) but he is not an employment lawyer.

On a happier note, I am going to a mild brain injury support group tomorrow and start rehab on Thursday. Brain MRI on Friday. I know that my health comes first, and I am trying hard to balance my health and hanging onto making a living.

I SO appreciate all the feedback. Makes me feel not so alone...