[macdebbie]

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.

[Klaus]

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

[macdebbie]

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.

[Klaus]

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!

[mouse1]

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.

[macdebbie]

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!

[Mokey]

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.

[Klaus]

Originally Posted by macdebbie

I called my neuropsych hoping he could write a letter to my employer and he doesn't want to get involved.

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.

Originally Posted by macdebbie

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!

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.

[Concussion]

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 .................

[macdebbie]

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?