O
OfficeFriend
Guest
Connecticut
I am writing on behalf of someone who is afraid to be identified as yet. She works for a private corporation which functions with 4 "busy times" per year (of approx. 6 weeks duration each) alternately with 4 "slow times". The employee is recovering from post-op. Lung Cancer, has a heart condition, and Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Job is low level clerical/office work. The company will not allow her to go to a doctor during "busy times" even though the doctor(s) have specified exactly how many week intervals they need to see her. Her work day is from 8:30 to 5:30 M-F and no doctors see patients outside of that structure. She has offered to her employer that she would take vacation day or half vacation day for appointments or even take the time without pay just to be able to comply with her doctors' orders and maintain her health, but company refuses. She has been told she must cancel appointments and must never make appointments during busy time or be fired, and when in a doctor's office and scheduling next visit, must call the employer from doctor's office to ask what day she may make the next appointment. She needs Carpal Tunnel surgery, but cannot have the surgery when doctor wants it done, but must risk irreversible nerve damage and wait until her company says she can have it. Employer has not put any of this in writing, no doubt as a consious decision. It seems to her and to me that the employer is overstepping their boundries and interfering with an employees health care and personal business. Everyone says "quit this awful place" but employee is 79 years old, has benefits, insurance, etc. and fears (probably correctly) if she quits or is fired she will be unable to get another job at her age, however cannot afford to live without an income. We know of another elderly employee who had a stroke and died because she was unable to go to a specialist in a timely manner when her MD found something suspicious and ordered her to go to specialist immediately. Naturally we cannot prove this. What can she do? What can I do to help her? Is the above in any way illegal or unlawful or under the control of any kind of agency or employee's rights? Can anyone help us or refer us to resources that can help us? Thank you for your time...
I am writing on behalf of someone who is afraid to be identified as yet. She works for a private corporation which functions with 4 "busy times" per year (of approx. 6 weeks duration each) alternately with 4 "slow times". The employee is recovering from post-op. Lung Cancer, has a heart condition, and Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Job is low level clerical/office work. The company will not allow her to go to a doctor during "busy times" even though the doctor(s) have specified exactly how many week intervals they need to see her. Her work day is from 8:30 to 5:30 M-F and no doctors see patients outside of that structure. She has offered to her employer that she would take vacation day or half vacation day for appointments or even take the time without pay just to be able to comply with her doctors' orders and maintain her health, but company refuses. She has been told she must cancel appointments and must never make appointments during busy time or be fired, and when in a doctor's office and scheduling next visit, must call the employer from doctor's office to ask what day she may make the next appointment. She needs Carpal Tunnel surgery, but cannot have the surgery when doctor wants it done, but must risk irreversible nerve damage and wait until her company says she can have it. Employer has not put any of this in writing, no doubt as a consious decision. It seems to her and to me that the employer is overstepping their boundries and interfering with an employees health care and personal business. Everyone says "quit this awful place" but employee is 79 years old, has benefits, insurance, etc. and fears (probably correctly) if she quits or is fired she will be unable to get another job at her age, however cannot afford to live without an income. We know of another elderly employee who had a stroke and died because she was unable to go to a specialist in a timely manner when her MD found something suspicious and ordered her to go to specialist immediately. Naturally we cannot prove this. What can she do? What can I do to help her? Is the above in any way illegal or unlawful or under the control of any kind of agency or employee's rights? Can anyone help us or refer us to resources that can help us? Thank you for your time...
Amazing.