What would you do i f you were me? - Page 4

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

I agree with getting a doctor's letter. You might want to consider getting a second letter from your brother's doctor to support that aspect of your need, that you're helping to care for him.

I'd also consider speaking to someone who could advise you on whether you could seek protected status under the ADA with respect to your need to work from home and avoid the office.

Good luck.

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

@conlt wrote:
I have been working at home since December 2019. All of my job functions are done at home. When I was hired I was hired to work at home We have others on our team that also work at home. Since then we have a new boss and she wants me to come to the office 1 X per week now because she want us to socialize and get to know our other team members. Our office if fairly small and those who are there have not been using precautions. They get on zoom sitting side by side with no masks on.
I asked for an exception because I am high risk for serious complications because of my age, I turn 62 in 4 weeks, my weight, I have hypertension, sleep apnea, and I have a hix of pulmonary issues and damage to my lungs from the year that we had the H1N1 flu and I became severely ill. I take an inhaler and medications for my lungs.
She said that I to come in but she would put me in an office alone and anyone who came in would have to use masks. Of course I was very upset and I used to work with the COO, so I contacted her to see if I do have to go in. I am scared of contracting Covid 19. I am still waiting for an answer. I guess for me, I don't see the point in having us come in when we have been set-up to work at home from before covid-19.
I also take care of my brother who is very high risk and certainly would die if he gets Covid. He has had 6 strokes, hypertension and diabetes. We are just getting him on disability now.
I have not been to a store except I order online from Walmart and drive into their pick-up area and they put my things in my car. I have ordered food on QVC, which I never did before, and I order some things from Costco. I have kept my self social isolated and now I am scared to death of getting sick.
I think the boss thinks that I am being silly, she wants to have a cookout, amid the covid. I am very uneasy about this and hope that in light of my co-morbities that they allow me to stay home. Now that I went over her head, I am sure she is angry with me, but at that point, I felt that I had no choice.

what part of the country are you in ?

Northeast this would be totally out of the question

get a note from yr Dr.

KimSG · ‎12-26-2012

I have a different take on this than most of the other people who have responded.

What if there were no pandemic, and the new boss wanted you to go in to the office once a week? Would you willingly do it?

Suppose that the new boss allows you to opt of going into work 1 day a week. And, in a year or so, there is a vaccine for covid-19 and you are able to get vaccinated. Then the new boss wants you start going into work 1 day a week. Covid-19 will no longer be a reason for you to opt out. Would you willingly go into work then?

If the terms of your contract state that you may work from home, then I think the issue of covid-19 really does not need to enter the discussion.

Just some food for thought.

Let me also say that I agree with you that a picnic is rather irresponsible. And going into work just to sit by yourself in an office makes no sense. I think that your concerns and precautions are not unreasonable.

QueenDanceALot · ‎04-18-2013

@KimSG wrote:
I have a different take on this than most of the other people who have responded.

What if there were no pandemic, and the new boss wanted you to go in to the office once a week? Would you willingly do it?

Suppose that the new boss allows you to opt of going into work 1 day a week. And, in a year or so, there is a vaccine for covid-19 and you are able to get vaccinated. Then the new boss wants you start going into work 1 day a week. Covid-19 will no longer be a reason for you to opt out. Would you willingly go into work then?

If the terms of your contract state that you may work from home, then I think the issue of covid-19 really does not need to enter the discussion.

Just some food for thought.

Let me also say that I agree with you that a picnic is rather irresponsible. And going into work just to sit by yourself in an office makes no sense. I think that your concerns and precautions are not unreasonable.

@KimSG

What is the point of bringing up "what if"s?

The situation is what it is.

tends2dogs · ‎05-08-2010

I agree with you, @Kachina624 . They don't need a detailed account of all specific health problems. That comes under the privacy act, I would think.

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!

Pook · ‎03-20-2010

@conlt Do you have a written job description that says you were hired to work exclusively at home and have you ever worked in the office? There are laws protecting discrimination for workers with disabilities but laws don't seem to mean much these days!! Since your boss is willing to make to make accomodations for you, you might have to go in that one day. If you have no other option, since you will soon be 62, you might want to file for disability and sign up for social security while waiting for your decision.

KimSG · ‎12-26-2012

@KittyLou

The point of bringig up the "what if's"is to think about the reason the OP does not want to go into work. Is covid-19 the only reason? If covid-19 was not an issue, would she still object? Suppose she objected to going into work becasue of covid-19 and was allowed to opt out. Once there is a vaccine and covid-19 is no longer a valid reason to opt out, would she still object becasue it is not what she was required to do when hired? I guess another way to say it is this - don't use covid-19 for the reason now if you will then switch to the reason that it is not part of your contract.

willdob3 · ‎11-01-2010

@conlt As already mentioned, you were hired to work from home. She is changing your job description. Not OK. I’d concentrate on this - you should not need to discuss your health or the pandemic at all. You don’t need reasons of excuses; what she is saying you need to do is not part of your job.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@ellaphant wrote:
Hello Halo,
You owe her no explanantion of your medical issues- that is private information.
Have your doctor send a note/email stating you have medical conditions that make you very high risk at being exposed to the virus and you need to stay at home.
Best of luck!!!

@conlt

I agree with the above poster.

If your boss says no, ask this company for the list of chemicals they will use to clean your workspace. Some of the products may not be safe for your medical conditions.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

If I were you, I’d stay home, office be damned!

One trip into the work atmosphere - even if you are in an office alone - blows the safety precautions you have taken for your health, and your brothers health.