I've been working in retail sales for over one and a half years. I do well with sales, but I have one problem. I can't manage to focus well enough to get to work on time. I am usually at least one minute late. This totally embarrasses me and I know it could get me fired if they wanted to do so. They are really buckling down on this. I don't want to lose my job because I need the benefits.

I can't seem to get myself organized to get there on time. I feel like such a moron because I can do everything else, including making my commissions, etc... But I know I'm expensive for the company due to my meds.

Help me to come up with ideas to get myself going. I don't want to go on ssdi before I need to.

Do I level with my manager and tell him about the MS and risk being blacklisted in the company because of it? And I know they aren't supposed to do that, but we all know how that is. Once the MS cat is out of the bag there is no going back.

Please help me to sort this out dear friends.

I don't know of any company that will fire someone who is constantly 1 minute late! If that is the case w/your company, then I suggest that you work 1 minute of overtime to make it up.
Set all your clocks, watches, alarm clocks, etc at least 15 minutes ahead. This way, you will always be on time.

Yes, tell your manager about your MS. If you feel you are being blacklisted after advising your manager........................
"start taking notes of everything happening to you and file a disability/medical discrimination suit against the company through EEOC."

Do you like having a cup of coffee in the morning? If so, design your morning so that you leave early enough to treat yourself to a cup AT WORK. Worse case, you'll miss your cup of coffee if you are late....but you will always be able to punch on time!!

Re: sharing your dx with your manager.....I wouldn't. Like you said, once done there is no going back. Yes, you could tell, keep accurate records, and build on EEOC case if you feel you can prove discrimination. However, EEOC cases are an extremely difficult undertaking, full of stress, and corporations usually manage to out spend and out last the employee.

Whatever method you decide on - - I hope it works like a charm.

I had the same issue while working- getting there on time.... tried setting the clock ahead, getting up an hour earlier... somehow the time always slipped away from me.
30 sec or 1 minute late - supervisor would give me a warning if I was getting close to the company policy limits of lateness.

I broke the speed limit a few times trying to get clocked in on time.. make up time wasn't allowed as it was on an electronic system.

One plus was I was all ready fired up with adrenalin when I got into work LOL>

Depending on the company it is/was 5 minutes - 15 minutes.

Again, never heard of any company docking employees pay if they were one minute late.

Lunch/dinner period is YOUR time not the companys. Take off one minute then.

I always have overtime. I don't know if they are serious about this or not but I don't want to gamble. Also, I have the best commissions overall for any sales rep in our store when you look at all of the measurable metrics. BUT, my meds cost near $50k per year retail. It is a huge company so I don't think that is an issue because they likely get great discounts on the group of more than 50,000+ employees, but I can feel the bad vibes.

And I want to be a good and reliable employee. Thanks so much for the tips. I'm working on it.

Wiz,

If your start work at 8am, convince yourself that you start at 7am and arrive early every day. It stinks initially, but you will get used to it and it will become routine.

As for telling your employer about MS, don't. They do not need any reason to treat you differently (and you know that they will). Based on my experience it can become a big problem down the road.

I hope that it works out for you.

-Vic

Wiz, I haven't worked in several years but if it were me....unless I was having major health issues directly related to my MS.....I wouldn't mention it to them. As long as you're performing your duties that's all they need to be concerned with.

I can think of many industries that would watch someone with even "1-minute late" issues. Public safety, customer service/retail, production. We all know that it takes several minutes to get settled and begin actually working. Walking in the door a minute late really puts you several minutes late and could possibly affect other employees who might be trying to service several customers at once or even customers who have to wait for an employee to help them.

I think everyone is late once in a while. Things happen. Employers know this and, if you're an otherwise good employee, I think they know it and will choose their battles.

I know you're a good if not excellent employee and I'm sure they want to keep you. How do you receive your schedule? Do you copy it down or does your employer email it to you? Provide you with a written copy of the schedule? Maybe you could just alter your start time by 15 or 30 minutes. Physically change your written schedule (your copy) to show your start time earlier than it actually is. Sometimes -for me at least - I have to "see" it in order for it to stick in my mind. Good luck!