clashcity19
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Washington State
Hello, I have tried posting on a different forum and didn't receive much help. So here's my story: Be advised: I was employed here on a contract ffrom a staffing agency. I am still technically employable by the agency. I communicated all of the following to both entities.
1. Starting in March I was involved in a situation where I was being harassed by a co-worker at I job I held for over a year. I repeatedly went to my direct supervisor about it. I eventually became extremely distraught by it because it was escalating in such a way that was causing others to jump on board. Much like a mobbing-type of situation... I eventually ended up going over my direct supervisor's head to the next person in the chain of command. She agreed I was being subjected to a hostile work environment and the co-worker who was at the root of the harassing behavior was terminated at the end of May.
2. Some of the problems I developed as a result of the harassment were insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks (all inclusive to a diagnosis for PTSD, which I also suffer from). All of these are conditions that I have been treated for over the years, but were exacerbated by the work environment I was in. Although I was grateful for the support and the interim director's decision to remove the source, insomnia, anxiety and depression take time to treat. I have no health insurance, but I have psychiatrist/therapist who will see me at a discounted rate. I asked my direct supervisor for more information on how to file for reasonable accommodations (in this case, a slightly modified schedule allowing me to come in 1 hour later and stay one hours later) for a mental health issue. He said he didn't know, but would find out. This was on May 31st after he informed me that "most people around here think you can just come and go as you please... so I need you to be here at 9AM to avoid future issues in the office." It had always been a lax environment. If I was running, late, I would call and let him know. No issues until after the coworker was fired. Furthermore, his attitude towards me totally changed after that... not in a good way. I explained that I felt i needed this accommodation because my insomnia and anxiety were not currently under control and I was not functioning at an optimal rate because of it. I also mentioned to my supervisor that there are several other employees who receive substantial accommodation to tend to their personal matters and health or health of family via modification of schedule. I did not see why it would be different for me just based upon office gossip. He admitted no one had ever actually come to him directly and complained about me.
3. I never heard anything. By June 12, I decided to email both my supervisor and the interim director asking for accommodation in writing. I explained, in some detail, what my issues were, why I needed the accommodation and proposed what I believed to be a very reasonable plan of action as to how I would manage my time with this slightly modified schedule. I offered to provide any medical documentation they may need and let them know I would be happy to discuss the matter further with them as needed. I also, just by coincidence, received my school schedule for the fall on the 13th. After I didn't hear anything on the 13th, I emailed my interim supervisor to let her know I had given my schedule to my supervisor, who said "any decision like that is made by [interim director]. At the end of that email, I reminded her that I have an appointment upcoming with my provider and could provide whatever note or documentation she might need. She responded on the morning of June 14 by saying that our office adheres to a 7am-5pm single shift. She said "a doctor's note is not needed unless you are going to miss more than two consecutive days d/t illess." So all at once, she was denying my request for accommodation and also informing me that my school schedule in the fall would not be able to be worked around either. I was not expecting to have my school schedule worked-around, but school does not start until September and I still need to work. The majority of the other workers in the office arrive well before 7 am and some (myelf included) stay well after 5 pm.
4. I was very emotionally fragile at the time that I received the email denying my accommodations. I was going off of very little sleep by then (which was a thursday) and I sort of broke down. I was referred to speak to one of the other supervisors as none of mine were in the office. She asked me what was going on and I told her I was not sleeping and I asked for help while I got things back on track, explained what I asked for and that it was denied. I also explained that the trigger/catalyst for me being in this state was due to the harassment but has continued for other reasons: I am having an anniversary reaction to brutal violent sexual assault I suffered years ago. This happens each year, but tends to be unmanageable with added stressors. I explained I felt my production has been fine, but that I need that leeway to be able to function at my former level which was "better-than-just-fine." She told me to get help and go home. I went home, contacted my psychiatrist, and he wrote me a note excusing me from work for the next day also. I was fired the next day, Friday June 15th and was told: "I think from what [interim director] told me, it all just boils down to your health. They say your performance has not been as great." I agree, but it's still been acceptable considering I actually do about 3 different jobs around there. I contacted an attorney but haven't heard back except to say that since this is a religious organization I should go straight to the EEOC. Just wanted to run this by someone else... sorry for the length!!
Hello, I have tried posting on a different forum and didn't receive much help. So here's my story: Be advised: I was employed here on a contract ffrom a staffing agency. I am still technically employable by the agency. I communicated all of the following to both entities.
1. Starting in March I was involved in a situation where I was being harassed by a co-worker at I job I held for over a year. I repeatedly went to my direct supervisor about it. I eventually became extremely distraught by it because it was escalating in such a way that was causing others to jump on board. Much like a mobbing-type of situation... I eventually ended up going over my direct supervisor's head to the next person in the chain of command. She agreed I was being subjected to a hostile work environment and the co-worker who was at the root of the harassing behavior was terminated at the end of May.
2. Some of the problems I developed as a result of the harassment were insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks (all inclusive to a diagnosis for PTSD, which I also suffer from). All of these are conditions that I have been treated for over the years, but were exacerbated by the work environment I was in. Although I was grateful for the support and the interim director's decision to remove the source, insomnia, anxiety and depression take time to treat. I have no health insurance, but I have psychiatrist/therapist who will see me at a discounted rate. I asked my direct supervisor for more information on how to file for reasonable accommodations (in this case, a slightly modified schedule allowing me to come in 1 hour later and stay one hours later) for a mental health issue. He said he didn't know, but would find out. This was on May 31st after he informed me that "most people around here think you can just come and go as you please... so I need you to be here at 9AM to avoid future issues in the office." It had always been a lax environment. If I was running, late, I would call and let him know. No issues until after the coworker was fired. Furthermore, his attitude towards me totally changed after that... not in a good way. I explained that I felt i needed this accommodation because my insomnia and anxiety were not currently under control and I was not functioning at an optimal rate because of it. I also mentioned to my supervisor that there are several other employees who receive substantial accommodation to tend to their personal matters and health or health of family via modification of schedule. I did not see why it would be different for me just based upon office gossip. He admitted no one had ever actually come to him directly and complained about me.
3. I never heard anything. By June 12, I decided to email both my supervisor and the interim director asking for accommodation in writing. I explained, in some detail, what my issues were, why I needed the accommodation and proposed what I believed to be a very reasonable plan of action as to how I would manage my time with this slightly modified schedule. I offered to provide any medical documentation they may need and let them know I would be happy to discuss the matter further with them as needed. I also, just by coincidence, received my school schedule for the fall on the 13th. After I didn't hear anything on the 13th, I emailed my interim supervisor to let her know I had given my schedule to my supervisor, who said "any decision like that is made by [interim director]. At the end of that email, I reminded her that I have an appointment upcoming with my provider and could provide whatever note or documentation she might need. She responded on the morning of June 14 by saying that our office adheres to a 7am-5pm single shift. She said "a doctor's note is not needed unless you are going to miss more than two consecutive days d/t illess." So all at once, she was denying my request for accommodation and also informing me that my school schedule in the fall would not be able to be worked around either. I was not expecting to have my school schedule worked-around, but school does not start until September and I still need to work. The majority of the other workers in the office arrive well before 7 am and some (myelf included) stay well after 5 pm.
4. I was very emotionally fragile at the time that I received the email denying my accommodations. I was going off of very little sleep by then (which was a thursday) and I sort of broke down. I was referred to speak to one of the other supervisors as none of mine were in the office. She asked me what was going on and I told her I was not sleeping and I asked for help while I got things back on track, explained what I asked for and that it was denied. I also explained that the trigger/catalyst for me being in this state was due to the harassment but has continued for other reasons: I am having an anniversary reaction to brutal violent sexual assault I suffered years ago. This happens each year, but tends to be unmanageable with added stressors. I explained I felt my production has been fine, but that I need that leeway to be able to function at my former level which was "better-than-just-fine." She told me to get help and go home. I went home, contacted my psychiatrist, and he wrote me a note excusing me from work for the next day also. I was fired the next day, Friday June 15th and was told: "I think from what [interim director] told me, it all just boils down to your health. They say your performance has not been as great." I agree, but it's still been acceptable considering I actually do about 3 different jobs around there. I contacted an attorney but haven't heard back except to say that since this is a religious organization I should go straight to the EEOC. Just wanted to run this by someone else... sorry for the length!!
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