i am a mid-level manager of a local government IT dept. I have a sleep disorder (sleep apnea) and am taking medication for it. one of the medications is a sleeping pill (Lunesta).
One of my staff called my phone in the middle of the night after I had gone to bed. I missed the call. the next day I was verbally reprimanded for not picking up the phone. I later sent a message to my manager asking if I could offer up my home number as an alternative (my wife would most likely hear this and pick it up, wake me up). I also mentioned that I have been taking some medication that might have contributed to my not answering the phone. my manager quickly came in my office and asked if I was taking sleeping pills. shocked, I said yes, it's a prescription from my Dr. she then suggested that I consider getting off the medication and that it was her expectation that I answer my cell phone.
Stopping the medication is not an option for me at this point and I don't want to end up getting fired because of this. can she ask me about medical conditions like this? do I need to talk to HR or attorney?
One of my staff called my phone in the middle of the night after I had gone to bed. I missed the call. the next day I was verbally reprimanded for not picking up the phone. I later sent a message to my manager asking if I could offer up my home number as an alternative (my wife would most likely hear this and pick it up, wake me up). I also mentioned that I have been taking some medication that might have contributed to my not answering the phone. my manager quickly came in my office and asked if I was taking sleeping pills. shocked, I said yes, it's a prescription from my Dr. she then suggested that I consider getting off the medication and that it was her expectation that I answer my cell phone.
Stopping the medication is not an option for me at this point and I don't want to end up getting fired because of this. can she ask me about medical conditions like this? do I need to talk to HR or attorney?