[MSCherokee]

This morning I was informed that starting next year I will be required to attend the company picnic so that I can assist and make sure everyone has enough beer to get drunk and act like idiots, etc. They ALWAYS have the picnic during the hottest part of the year. Where I live it’s going to be 88 and high humidity today and more of the same throughout the weekend.

Well, I haven’t felt good for the last week so this definitely hit me the wrong way, seeing as how the person who told me I must attend KNOWS I have MS and am heat intolerant. I politely but firmly said that I will NOT be attending the picnic, that someone else will have to go in my place. Needless to say it didn’t go over well. Too damned bad.

A co-worker started harassing me about it, saying it’s not that hot, etc. Now granted, she doesn’t know I have MS but still, she should MYOB. I said to her that she doesn’t understand that I have a medical condition and am not like everyone else, I simply cannot be out in that heat and that if I had to I’d go to the doctor and get a medical excuse. Well, she backed off, as well she should.

This picnic is not held during working hours but on the weekend so I cannot see where they have a leg to stand on trying to force me to go as part of my job. It just P’s me off that people who know why I’m ill still don’t get it after all these years.

Oh well, thanks for letting me vent – maybe by posting instead of opening my mouth I just saved my job.

[Twinkletoes]

I'm on my way to work, so don't have time to write a decent reply. But I hear you and think you are right: if it's not on the time clock, you shouldn't be expected to attend!

[Kitty]

I'm really sorry this happened to you...but it doesn't surprise me. Some of my co-workers were the most insensitive to my situation and they knew what I had. There were only a couple of them but they made it their business to have a comment about anything that concerned me and my MS dx. Of course, they never take it upon themselves to try and learn something about the disease....they just like to gripe about the supposed "perks" we get because of it. If they only knew.....

Stand your ground. Especially if the picnic is on the weekend. Unless it's in your job description and agreed to by you they can't tell you what to do on your days off.

One last thing....if they are truly getting drunk at a company function your employer is taking a huge risk.

[AfterMyNap]

You have a right to decline if it's not in your written job description, you don't even need a reason. Naturally, you'll get the "not a team player" crap but there lies the meat for your argument.

In my experience, when at a company-supplied-beer party, virtually no one experiences difficulty in locating beer.

Maybe the answer is to suggest replacing yourself with a temp for the day. I hope you can work it out, that's beyond ridiculous to expect you to be a caterer in any situation.

[hollym]

Excuse me, but I have to go and check the calendar to reassure myself that it is indeed 2008.....

OK, I'm back. It is 2008! I thought this kind of ridiculous "job requirement" went by the wayside about 40 years ago. I don't see how you can be required to attend the beer swilling fest at all.

[SandyC]

That is pure BS, simply put. And that coworker? I am not sure I could have held my tongue.

[lady_express_44]

Were you "informed" by management, or peers?

I'm assuming that you are administrator of some sort, and organizing the picnic would be expected in that position...? Either way, I think there are laws about that ~ the necessity to accommodate disabilities . . .

As a compromise, I wonder if you could offer to do more then your share of organizing the function, and someone else can pick up your end of the beer slinging?

Cherie

[Keely]

And are you required to get coffee for your boss every morning too?

Jeez--sounds like a little employee harassment going on here. That's what lawsuits are for!