Another Co-worker problem... - Page 4

tends2dogs · ‎05-08-2010

@terrier3 wrote:
I have a co-worker who is 68 years old (outside sales).

He had a car accident a few years ago while on a sales call and messed up his back. He's been in a lawsuit for worker's comp...he recently had a court date.

About two months ago, he fell off his barn bringing hay down for his animals. He didn't break anything, but has been out on disability since then. I am doing his work (but since he is on disability pay, I also will get his commissions during the months that he is out.)

Yesterday morning he called in and had me on the phone for almost an hour. I kept on telling him that he was not supposed to be working or talking about work. During the call he mentioned that he is taking spinning classes, caring for his animals and driving to see clients (even though he's not supposed to drive more than 5 miles according to his doctor's note).

My boss asked me what he had to say for so long and I told him. He said in the future I should just tell him we "have a bad phone connection" and hang up on him - he LOVES to talk!

Later I was called in to the big boss's office, along with another rep also covering his work. He had shared the same stories about working out, etc. with both of us.

Now we will have to testify before a state disability official. Our boss said that spinning, driving, seeing clients and doing heavy farm work wasn't compatible with getting disability.

I feel badly about the whole situation...but I'll testify honestly (or course).

Did I do anything wrong? What are allowed activities for collecting disability? Does it differ according to job title? I feel badly about the whole situation.

@terrier3 I wouldn't feel bad. Unless the guy is a total idiot, why would he tell you these things??? I agree about testifying honestly. I would never lie, under oath or not, friend or not, co-worker or not.

He is in the wrong, not you.

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

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

@hckynut wrote:
@AuntG wrote:
Here's my answer, "you know John, he likes to chat". It's quite possible he will admit to feeding his animals and taking an exercise class. Those things, if doctor approved, may not disqualify his claims.

@AuntG 😘

It's strange, I have had other people say that I "like to chat". Still trying to figure out why. =^..^=

hckynut(john)

----

HaHa, that was John Doe I referenced, not you.

VaBelle35 · ‎03-10-2010

Many of us know people who go out on short term disability but still come to the company picnic or holiday party.

While that doesn't violate their disability status, it does annoy the people who are picking up their workload.

===================================
QVC Shopper - 1993

# IAMTEAMWEN

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

Perhaps it's just me but I don't even understand the reason for this post. Your question is rhetorical, a conversation starter because you know you didn't do anything wrong. Your boss asked a question and you told the truth, as you should have. Whatever happened after that had nothing to do with you. The guy with the supposed disability must have hit his head a time or two because it's a no brainer that he shouldn't have gone into all that with someone who works for the company. If it's all true. It might not be true. He might have been bending the truth because he didn't want to come acrosss as injured/disabled/sick. My middle brother is like that, he has host of serious medical problems but you would never know it by listening to him.

Lindsays Grandma · ‎03-10-2010

You were asked a question and you answered honestly. I just have one question if you don't mind. How did your boss know who you were talking for such a long time?

@terrier3 wrote:
I have a co-worker who is 68 years old (outside sales).

He had a car accident a few years ago while on a sales call and messed up his back. He's been in a lawsuit for worker's comp...he recently had a court date.

About two months ago, he fell off his barn bringing hay down for his animals. He didn't break anything, but has been out on disability since then. I am doing his work (but since he is on disability pay, I also will get his commissions during the months that he is out.)

Yesterday morning he called in and had me on the phone for almost an hour. I kept on telling him that he was not supposed to be working or talking about work. During the call he mentioned that he is taking spinning classes, caring for his animals and driving to see clients (even though he's not supposed to drive more than 5 miles according to his doctor's note).

My boss asked me what he had to say for so long and I told him. He said in the future I should just tell him we "have a bad phone connection" and hang up on him - he LOVES to talk!

Later I was called in to the big boss's office, along with another rep also covering his work. He had shared the same stories about working out, etc. with both of us.

Now we will have to testify before a state disability official. Our boss said that spinning, driving, seeing clients and doing heavy farm work wasn't compatible with getting disability.

I feel badly about the whole situation...but I'll testify honestly (or course).

Did I do anything wrong? What are allowed activities for collecting disability? Does it differ according to job title? I feel badly about the whole situation.

The moving finger writes; And having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears Wash out a Word of it. Omar Khayam

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

@Lindsays Grandma wrote:
You were asked a question and you answered honestly. I just have one question if you don't mind. How did your boss know who you were talking for such a long time?
t

We work in a bullpen situation, not private offices. People don't communicate on the phone the way they used to - I can go all day and never get a phone call...it's all e-mails, IMs, tweets, etc! NO ONE talks on the phone for an hour!!!

My boss heard me tell my co-worker that he wasn't supposed to be working or talking about clients - he needed to concentrate on getting better. I kept on telling him that I had to go...and he kept right on talking...I didn't want to be rude and hang up on him.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

@chrystaltree wrote:
Perhaps it's just me but I don't even understand the reason for this post. Your question is rhetorical, a conversation starter because you know you didn't do anything wrong. Your boss asked a question and you told the truth, as you should have. Whatever happened after that had nothing to do with you. The guy with the supposed disability must have hit his head a time or two because it's a no brainer that he shouldn't have gone into all that with someone who works for the company. If it's all true. It might not be true. He might have been bending the truth because he didn't want to come acrosss as injured/disabled/sick. My middle brother is like that, he has host of serious medical problems but you would never know it by listening to him.

You and I may agree...but I have posts here that say I should warn my co-worker and/or not say anything!

So not everyone is of the same opinion.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

@AuntG wrote:
Slightly different scenario, but we have someone who abuses the FMLA program (off with a sick family member), but our company doesn't want to ask too many questions. The girls that cover for her while she is off (and posting about her fun times) are not happy.

My company is the opposite. The GM said they are taking this very seriously!

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

@missy1 wrote:
t

I am surprised your company allowed him to come back to work. He is not suing the comapny, but the car insurance company/driver which is probably why he is still there. Most people (I know) who have lawsuits don't come back.

I understand you have to save your job. Many would also answer the boss's questions.

The problem I have is that he should not being seeing his clients on leave. (unless they are personal friends, and not talking about business related stuff)

I was surprised that someone who is suing from an auto accident came back to work too!

He said that he is suing because he can't do farmwork anymore and his quality of life is diminished, although he is well enough to come back to his sales job.

Falling off a ladder at his barn (while doing farm work) must have poked a BIG hole in that first lawsuit!!!

Mistreatedbycs · ‎03-10-2010

@chrystaltree wrote:
Perhaps it's just me but I don't even understand the reason for this post. Your question is rhetorical, a conversation starter because you know you didn't do anything wrong.

She sat on the phone for an hour and annoyed her boss. Wastiing the Company's time, it wasn't business and the boss notices this and calls her in his office.

I don't believe the he said, she said has any bearing on the case. The man's lawyer could say she misunderstood, she said those things because she has an axe to grind or any other various issues. I'm sure the insurance company will hire an investigator with all these allegations.