Months ago, I submitted a Reasonable Accommodation request to my employer requesting to work from home three days per week due to anxiety. They denied the request claiming that "as a Project Manager" I need to be present in the office every day but they are open to alternatives.
I went back to my doctor who said I need either, a) the ability to work from home up to one day per week as needed, and/or b) a private office.
She cited all of my issues, none of which are physical impairments but that manifest in physical ways. As a person who has been suffering with depression and anxiety her entire life, I work hard to overcome it, and asking for help is not an easy thing to do. So, today when they again said, "no" I found myself annoyed beyond comprehension.
This is the conversation as I recall it:
HR Rep: We don't have any open offices to give you, and since you are required in the office we can't allow you to work from home.
Me: I see plenty of open offices.
HR Rep: Well, I don't know who those are slated for. Have you tried noise cancelling headphones?
Me: Yes.
HR Rep: How about turning your desk so that your back is facing the aisle where people are walking?
Me: I have anxiety, having my back turned is going to cause my anxiety to increase tenfold.
HR Rep: Well, you have a team room you can use if you need it.
Me: Do you know when there will be a computer and chair in there?
HR Rep: Oh, right, it is still under construction.
Me: Yeah...
Basically, they aren't being reasonable or accommodating and I don't want to push too much because, honestly, I need my job.
I can't help but think they do not want me here. One day at home a week is not that big of a deal, and seriously, I was in an office until they took it away from me for no good reason. So what the fuck?
My doctor signed off saying I needed these things, that are not outlandish or unreasonable and I get "Do you have noise cancelling headphones?"
I'm frustrated and feeling between a rock and a hard place. What if I was, God forbid, physically disabled? Would I be treated differently? My boss has a reasonable accommodation to work from home whenever he wants to, but I can't? That seems really hypocritical if you ask me.
I need to get a job closer to home, working for a boss that actually cares, that doesn't see me as a threat and that actually wants to see me succeed. I've had to go on new medication solely because of him but they can't accommodate my minor requests? That's trash and they know it.
So...what do I do?
I'm at my wits end. I don't want to do anything for this guy. He's a fake.
I'm a straight A student in school. I have never had bad reviews until him but my company sides with the manager even over a doctor... good job quasi-state agency, I wonder what Governor Baker would think about this...and what do I do!?
Sigh...I don't know.
I went back to my doctor who said I need either, a) the ability to work from home up to one day per week as needed, and/or b) a private office.
She cited all of my issues, none of which are physical impairments but that manifest in physical ways. As a person who has been suffering with depression and anxiety her entire life, I work hard to overcome it, and asking for help is not an easy thing to do. So, today when they again said, "no" I found myself annoyed beyond comprehension.
This is the conversation as I recall it:
HR Rep: We don't have any open offices to give you, and since you are required in the office we can't allow you to work from home.
Me: I see plenty of open offices.
HR Rep: Well, I don't know who those are slated for. Have you tried noise cancelling headphones?
Me: Yes.
HR Rep: How about turning your desk so that your back is facing the aisle where people are walking?
Me: I have anxiety, having my back turned is going to cause my anxiety to increase tenfold.
HR Rep: Well, you have a team room you can use if you need it.
Me: Do you know when there will be a computer and chair in there?
HR Rep: Oh, right, it is still under construction.
Me: Yeah...
Basically, they aren't being reasonable or accommodating and I don't want to push too much because, honestly, I need my job.
I can't help but think they do not want me here. One day at home a week is not that big of a deal, and seriously, I was in an office until they took it away from me for no good reason. So what the fuck?
My doctor signed off saying I needed these things, that are not outlandish or unreasonable and I get "Do you have noise cancelling headphones?"
I'm frustrated and feeling between a rock and a hard place. What if I was, God forbid, physically disabled? Would I be treated differently? My boss has a reasonable accommodation to work from home whenever he wants to, but I can't? That seems really hypocritical if you ask me.
I need to get a job closer to home, working for a boss that actually cares, that doesn't see me as a threat and that actually wants to see me succeed. I've had to go on new medication solely because of him but they can't accommodate my minor requests? That's trash and they know it.
So...what do I do?
I'm at my wits end. I don't want to do anything for this guy. He's a fake.
I'm a straight A student in school. I have never had bad reviews until him but my company sides with the manager even over a doctor... good job quasi-state agency, I wonder what Governor Baker would think about this...and what do I do!?
Sigh...I don't know.
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