medical/work question

[julluvsdisney]

Does anyone know if your workplace can make you stay home from work if you told someone in passing that when you have migraines in the past (2 times in 2 yrs) it has caused you to pass out? I told my supervisor just how bad my migraines have become in the past and she went to HR and our medical director and told them this info but lied and said that this happened at work.Now because of her lie I am being made to get a docs note to state I am able to work with migraines. Problem is my doc is on vacation for the next 2 weeks! Im not even sure if the Medical director should be involved in my medical condition. Anyone know any laws that would apply? Please help! TIA

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I can't help you with the legal aspects but if your migraines are that bad, I hope your doctor is helping you. There are a lot of excellent treatments these days.

Actually, if your migraines are so bad that you have passed out, I'm not sure that it really matters that it didn't happen while you were at work. It could, so I see why your employer is concerned. You didn't say what you do; I hope you are not employed in a field where this problem could present a danger to others. Good luck.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

I don't know the rules, but what kind of work do you do? Are you doing something that would present a big hazard to others or yourself if you should pass out (pilot, school bus driver, factory worker)? I think that probably makes a difference.

 

[Sadie22]

You have a condition which can cause you to lose consciousness suddenly. You told this to a supervisor. You did not intend that to be an official notice and were not prepared with documentation that this condition is being treated and can reasonably be expected not to happen again.

You have rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act to receive reasonable accommodations in order to do a job when those accommodations can be made in a way that does not endanger those around you or yourself. Now that your employer is aware of events that might endanger those around you and hamper your ability to do your job (presumably in a medical facility?), your employer must take steps to ensure the safety of others and of you. I'm sorry that means you were sent home until you can provide documentation. In retrospect, havng provided such documentation proactively when this happened before could have avoided this situation. It's not a safe secret to keep. If it happens again, you want your coworkers to know what's going on and to be able to respond appropriately.

I remember my dad passed out, ended up in hospital, and his driver's license was taken away until he provided medical documentation to the motor vehicles department that he could again safely operate a motor vehicle. He didn't drive as part of any employment. That's just one of our conditions of driving here in Maryland.

 

[julluvsdisney]

I run sleep studies. I basically set a patient up with electrodes and run the computer then take the wires off. Basically my blood pressure is very sensitive to many things. Medication has caused me to pass out pregnancy has migraines ect. If I am not working alone I dont see how this could cause a safety problem. I can understand their concern for patients safety and being alone and passing out can cause a potential problem if it was to happen but other than that senario I dont see how this can be a problem. People can pass out for very many reasons and there is no telling when it can happen. I just dont know if this has never happened at work and if I have never missed work due to this issue how they can make me stay out of work. I am able to get a docs note but not until the 30th of this month (shes on vacation until then). I have provided documentation stating I have migraines but not one specifically stating I am ok to work. Im just so frustrated.

 

[Hannathy]

I am guessing here but I would imagine that once she knows you have a condition that could endanger you or others around you she could be held liable if someone or you got hurt.

 

[girli565]

So, did you tell the HR person and the Med. Director that the supervisor lied, that this has never happened at work? I'm sure that will alleviate the need to get a note until your doctor can give you one after he gets back.

 

[julluvsdisney]

So, did you tell the HR person and the Med. Director that the supervisor lied, that this has never happened at work? I'm sure that will alleviate the need to get a note until your doctor can give you one after he gets back.

Yes I did and she first stated that was fine then she called me back and said the medical director still wanted a medical note saying it was ok for me to work. Its just causing so much frustration on my end!

 

[girli565]

Yes I did and she first stated that was fine then she called me back and said the medical director still wanted a medical note saying it was ok for me to work. Its just causing so much frustration on my end!

That sucks! What did they say when you told them the doc was unavailable? Can you get the PA or other doctor at the office to write the note for you? all they have to do is look at your chart and can see the doctors notes on your migraines.

 

[cm8]

Does anyone know if your workplace can make you stay home from work if you told someone in passing that when you have migraines in the past (2 times in 2 yrs) it has caused you to pass out? I told my supervisor just how bad my migraines have become in the past and she went to HR and our medical director and told them this info but lied and said that this happened at work.Now because of her lie I am being made to get a docs note to state I am able to work with migraines. Problem is my doc is on vacation for the next 2 weeks! Im not even sure if the Medical director should be involved in my medical condition. Anyone know any laws that would apply? Please help! TIA

The Rule..............

I would report her for giving false information that adversely affected your job

You have a condition which can cause you to lose consciousness suddenly. You told this to a supervisor. You did not intend that to be an official notice and were not prepared with documentation that this condition is being treated and can reasonably be expected not to happen again.

You have rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act to receive reasonable accommodations in order to do a job when those accommodations can be made in a way that does not endanger those around you or yourself. Now that your employer is aware of events that might endanger those around you and hamper your ability to do your job (presumably in a medical facility?), your employer must take steps to ensure the safety of others and of you. I'm sorry that means you were sent home until you can provide documentation. In retrospect, havng provided such documentation proactively when this happened before could have avoided this situation. It's not a safe secret to keep. If it happens again, you want your coworkers to know what's going on and to be able to respond appropriately.

I remember my dad passed out, ended up in hospital, and his driver's license was taken away until he provided medical documentation to the motor vehicles department that he could again safely operate a motor vehicle. He didn't drive as part of any employment. That's just one of our conditions of driving here in Maryland.

OP, have you been diagnosed with Syncope or have you been given any workups to confirm that your migraines in fact caused you to pass out? I would furious that someone Else's word over my medical condition was taken instead of one who knows (myself and my personal Doctor). I think I would go over both their heads to see what could be done about the predicament you are in. Do you all have a staff physician that could look you over?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I run sleep studies. I basically set a patient up with electrodes and run the computer then take the wires off. Basically my blood pressure is very sensitive to many things. Medication has caused me to pass out pregnancy has migraines ect. If I am not working alone I dont see how this could cause a safety problem. I can understand their concern for patients safety and being alone and passing out can cause a potential problem if it was to happen but other than that senario I dont see how this can be a problem. People can pass out for very many reasons and there is no telling when it can happen. I just dont know if this has never happened at work and if I have never missed work due to this issue how they can make me stay out of work. I am able to get a docs note but not until the 30th of this month (shes on vacation until then). I have provided documentation stating I have migraines but not one specifically stating I am ok to work. Im just so frustrated.

Okay, well, another aspect is scaring the patients - who can't do anything because you have them attached to electrodes and have told them not to move.

Does your physician have a covering or referral doctor you can see, to get authorized to return to work?

 

[disneysmiles]

I know this was not asked for but if you get migraines and have sensitive blood pressure and pass out, look into POTS Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Even occasional pass out episodes could be due to that.

Also if it's just straight up migraines, biofeedback training can help immensely. it's been shown to be really successful reducing migraines. Type it into pubmed.org and tons of research articles come up. No drugs, easy to do, most insurances cover it.

I hope you feel better and your doctor can get your note done quickly.

 

[julluvsdisney]

The Rule..............

I would report her for giving false information that adversely affected your job



OP, have you been diagnosed with Syncope or have you been given any workups to confirm that your migraines in fact caused you to pass out? I would furious that someone Else's word over my medical condition was taken instead of one who knows (myself and my personal Doctor). I think I would go over both their heads to see what could be done about the predicament you are in. Do you all have a staff physician that could look you over?

I have been diagnosed with syncope years ago when I did passed out my doctor told me it was either the migraines or birth control pill but neither were confirmed which I told my supervisor. last time it happened was almost a year ago and I have since changed birth control pills because of the possibility it was the culprit. Im just so frustrated! I have contacted my doctors office and the doc covering for my dr would like me to come in the see him about the migraines to get the note but they cant get me in for a few days. Its crazy! So Im looking at possible losing 2-3 days of work. I will get paid but I dont think someones misinformation should hender my job.

 

[julluvsdisney]

Okay, well, another aspect is scaring the patients - who can't do anything because you have them attached to electrodes and have told them not to move.
QUOTE]

We work with atleast one co-worker and set pts up together so the patient wouldnt have to really deal with helping me my co-worker would if it did happen. plus we work with adults so I dont know how someone passing out infront of them would scare them ? I had a women pass out at subway while I was giving her my order I dont think that should prevent her from working.

 

[julluvsdisney]

I know this was not asked for but if you get migraines and have sensitive blood pressure and pass out, look into POTS Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Even occasional pass out episodes could be due to that.

Also if it's just straight up migraines, biofeedback training can help immensely. it's been shown to be really successful reducing migraines. Type it into pubmed.org and tons of research articles come up. No drugs, easy to do, most insurances cover it.

I hope you feel better and your doctor can get your note done quickly.

Thank you so much for this info! I am going to look into it! I am very sensitive to meds so Im pretty limited to the medication I can take so the biofeedback training looks very interesting! I am willing to do anything at this point!

 

[julluvsdisney]

That sucks! What did they say when you told them the doc was unavailable? Can you get the PA or other doctor at the office to write the note for you? all they have to do is look at your chart and can see the doctors notes on your migraines.

They told me Ill have to wait until after my doc is back which is 2 weeks from now! Thats crazy! The doc on call wants to see me before he will give me a note but they dont think they can get me in until monday but they are working on possibly seeing him friday that still will cost me1-3 days of benefit time

 

[5 at disney]

Once you told the supervisor, the supervisor was obligated to tell HR. That is their job. Now if the info was twisted then that is a whole different issue. HR is allowed to send you home and get documentation for release of work. This is not unusual and happens more often then you know. It really has nothing to do with endangering yourself or others. More often it is written policy and needs to be followed. Did you recently miss work? What would prompt this conversation? By all accounts, this is standard procedure for some employers.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I'm not sure how it works. At my old job, we had a guy come to work with pink eye. He told a lot of people he had pink eye and started touching everyone else. He was so weird. His eyes were red and swollen and hideous.

So, we tell the boss and he gets sent home, regardless of his pleading that his doctor told him he was past the "contagious" phase. No one believed him and he looked like hell.

HR said our boss was in the right.

 

[julluvsdisney]

Once you told the supervisor, the supervisor was obligated to tell HR. That is their job. Now if the info was twisted then that is a whole different issue. HR is allowed to send you home and get documentation for release of work. This is not unusual and happens more often then you know. It really has nothing to do with endangering yourself or others. More often it is written policy and needs to be followed. Did you recently miss work? What would prompt this conversation? By all accounts, this is standard procedure for some employers.

I have not missed a single day of work for this. this conversation was discussed because she brought up how bad her migraines are so I told her my issues. I should have known that she would twist my words the woman loves gossip and starting trouble. I was trying to help her and this is what I get. If paasing out happened a year ago HR can send me home? I have passed out about 10 times in my life does this mean HR can send me home for all of those times?Even if none of those times ever happened in thier work place?That seems absurd!

 

[jedijill]

Your supervisor shouldn't twist the facts but absolutely should have gone to HR. If she had known that you had a medical condition and she didn't report it to HR, and you passed out and got hurt at work, the company is open to liability. Going to HR is a smart CYA for the supervisor and the company. Another reason why you should never share personal information with co-workers or supervisors that you want to stay private.

Jill in CO