Problem at work - how should I handle it?

[lecach]

First some background. I have terrible TMJ (jaw problems). I have no cartilidge between my jawbones. If I talk too much or eat something chewy I have a major flareup. I have had 4 surgeries and there is nothing more they can do. Talking on the phone seems to really stir it up. At my last job I was the receptionist (NOT what I was hired for) but we only got 12 or so calls a day so it wasnt a problem. The job before that they wanted me to cover the switchboard at lunch. They got a LOT of calls and I eventually had to get a drs. note stating that I could not cover the phone.

Now my company was just acquired by a large corporation. This was our first week. I was reassigned and now report to the head office administrator. I was told that she sits out front at the reception desk and I would cover her for lunches or when she is out on vacation or sick. Not a problem.

Yesterday she said that she decided we should split the phone duties every day - I would have to cover half of each day. She's even talking about moving her stuff into another cube. I told her I would try it but that I have bad TMJ. The more I think about it, the more I am concerned. I dont know if I should try it knowing full well that it will be a problem. I've covered her a lot this week and today my jaw is sore. Should I just tell her that I cant. Or that maybe I could do an hour at a time? Should I get a drs. note or just offer to get one? I just dont know how to handle it. She seems really nice. And I know she has a lot to do away from the phones. Its not that I dont want to do the phones - I just know it will put me in a flareup and when that happens I spend weeks on strong medicines to recover. Any advice?

 

[kbkids]

First some background. I have terrible TMJ (jaw problems). I have no cartilidge between my jawbones. If I talk too much or eat something chewy I have a major flareup. I have had 4 surgeries and there is nothing more they can do. Talking on the phone seems to really stir it up. At my last job I was the receptionist (NOT what I was hired for) but we only got 12 or so calls a day so it wasnt a problem. The job before that they wanted me to cover the switchboard at lunch. They got a LOT of calls and I eventually had to get a drs. note stating that I could not cover the phone.

Now my company was just acquired by a large corporation. This was our first week. I was reassigned and now report to the head office administrator. I was told that she sits out front at the reception desk and I would cover her for lunches or when she is out on vacation or sick. Not a problem.

Yesterday she said that she decided we should split the phone duties every day - I would have to cover half of each day. She's even talking about moving her stuff into another cube. I told her I would try it but that I have bad TMJ. The more I think about it, the more I am concerned. I dont know if I should try it knowing full well that it will be a problem. I've covered her a lot this week and today my jaw is sore. Should I just tell her that I cant. Or that maybe I could do an hour at a time? Should I get a drs. note or just offer to get one? I just dont know how to handle it. She seems really nice. And I know she has a lot to do away from the phones. Its not that I dont want to do the phones - I just know it will put me in a flareup and when that happens I spend weeks on strong medicines to recover. Any advice?

Is there no one else who can help her with the phones?

I would just explain the situation to her and offer to get a doctor's excuse if she needs it. I'm sure she'd rather you be there to help when you can then be at home in pain on medicines.

 

[lecach]

We're the only two admins. Only admins answer the main phone. Before our company of 30 people came over she was the only admin for about 20 people. She is supposed to be the lead - and the big admin lady over the whole corporate admin group said they believe in the lead admin being out front. So I think corp. would back me up but I dont want to go over her head.

 

[mickeyboat]

I think you should get a doctor's note, and contact human resources on this one.

We hired a receptionist / office clerk last December to take over some of our simple clerical duties. She is also our receptionist. I was horrified when I asked her to do some filing, and she said she couldn't because she had a heel spur and a bad back. Filing is a huge part of her job, and if she couldn't do filing, she should find something else. That's what we hired her for.

But if reception duties are not supposed to be part of your job, then you should not have to do them, especially if you have a medical reason why you can't. Most people probably don't understand how simple answering the phone could be so difficult for you. It sounds like you are being as accomodating as you can, but you should not have to suffer.

Good luck.
Denae

 

[lecach]

Denae: When I was told about the job they only told me that I would only be covering the phones during vacation, sick days, special projects. I would have told them right then that I had a problem if they had said differently. So they didnt hire me expecting me to do this. My new supervisor came up with this on her own. She even waited until corporate left to mention it to me. In your case the person you hired KNEW what was expected and just didnt say anything. I would be mad if I were you.

I really dont want to go to HR unless I have to. I think I will try talking to her first.

 

[nliedel]

If it has not been a large part of your job before then I would talk to her and explain the problem. Tell her that your past superiors have been aware of it and your limitations. I would offer to get a doctors note. It sounds like she is trying to pass off something she does not want to do onto you.

 

[lecach]

I just called the Dr. and asked for a note - just so I would have it. They'll send it to me next week. I also talked to my boss from the company where I had supplied a Dr.s note before. She works here at this company now too. She said that she would be glad to let my new supervisor know that I had a problem doing phones before and that I had given her a drs. note at that time. So at least someone here has my back.

 

[kbkids]

I wouldn't go over her head immediately. I'd talk to her first. Is she overwhelmed with work, making it difficult to answer the phone? Can you take any of that maybe??

I just think you need to be honest and upfront with her. I'm a big believer in setting my boundaries. If I know I can't do something, I won't agree to do it. If you feel pushed into doing it, you're going to end up resenting it (or at least I would).

 

[2infinity&B-ond]

Technically you shouldn't have to get a note from a doctor...in fact they can't ask you for one...part of the HIPPA laws. I would mention your concerns and see what happens.

DH had a similar (sort of) situation. He is a police officer. Part of his job is writing reports. His departments still hand writes everything...no computers. DH works the busiest route in our City...and therefore has lots of reports to write. He is dyslexic, and is a HORRIBLE speller. He has a pocket speller that he keeps with him (since they don't use computers with spell checkers)...his reports need to be clear and consice since they are often used in court. Anyway, he was disciplined at work for taking too long to write his reports (it only happened occasionally, but he would sometimes have to stay after his shift ended to finish up). Anyway, when he told them we was dyslexic, and that he was going to get documentation from his DR. they started tripping all over themselves. Due to HIPPA laws the cannot ask for a DR note..

Hope some of this helps...good luck.

edited to fix misspelled words

 

[nliedel]

Not trying to be picky but it's HIPPA, not Hepa laws. My husband works as a Network Engineer in large hospital and he has to take tests on this frequently. It stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountabilty Act (Just called him)

 

[2infinity&B-ond]

okay..sorry HIPPA laws then!

 

[KelNottAt]

If your TMJ condition qualifies as a disability, your employer is probably required to make reasonable accomodations for you. These may be limiting your phone time to X hours per day or week. Or perhaps, providing special phone equipment for you. (I don't have TMJ and I find handsets to be uncomfortable for busy phone days. That's when I use a headset. Maybe that could help you...along with limited hours.)

Good luck.

 

[lecach]

So I talked to her. I told her that I was very concerned about being on the phone 1/2 of every day. That if I have a flareup I will be on major drugs for at least a month (not to mention unable to answer the phone at all). I suggested that I cover her for an hour at a time. And I also offered a doctors note - told her I had one at my other job when it became a problem. She said "well lets try the 1/2 day and see how it goes". So I guess I am stuck trying it - but believe me if it really starts bothering me I will say something. And I might just give her the dr note too. I did suggest that if there are other ways I could help with her workload I would be glad to. I think she's disappointed that she's not getting away from the phones.

 

[piglet too]

I hope it works out for you. I have TMJ too, and know how painful it can be, even though I don't think mine is as bad as yours sounds.



As far as HIPPA goes, does that mean companies can not ask for a doctor's note if you are sick for three days in a row? My company has that policy (as well as needing a note for note than 5 days in a year) and I am just curious if the HIPPA applys to that.

 

[jfulcer]

She said "well lets try the 1/2 day and see how it goes". So I guess I am stuck trying it - but believe me if it really starts bothering me I will say something.

and

I did suggest that if there are other ways I could help with her workload I would be glad to. I think she's disappointed that she's not getting away from the phones.

You KNOW that it is going to be a problem. You've said so yourself. Why set yourself up for having to come to her and tell her it's not working when it will not. Based on what you said, much less than 'helping out 1/2 a day' has caused you problems.

I think you need to go in on Monday and tell her that you thought about it over the weekend and that while you are willing to help out for vacations/sickness and other duties that you can help her with that the 1/2 days just cannot happen. "I have my health to think about and I'd rather not spend the next month on pain medications."

I think that you've hit the nail on the head - she just doesn't want to do it and was thrust into having to really do it when the companies merged. She doesn't like that and it trying to use you to get out of it. Don't let her.

 

[jfulcer]

As far as HIPPA goes, does that mean companies can not ask for a doctor's note if you are sick for three days in a row? My company has that policy (as well as needing a note for note than 5 days in a year) and I am just curious if the HIPPA applys to that.

HIPPA laws are designed to prevent your personal medical information from being public. The laws are designed to protect you from doctors/nurses/etc from giving out your OWN private information - not from what you tell to others.

So I do not believe they would cover you in what appears to be a job requirement for your company. Yes, I don't think that you need to share with them the details of what is wrong, but a note from the Dr that said "Piglet Too was sick and under my care for the X days she was out of work." should be more than sufficient to protect you and keep your medical information private.

 

[kbkids]

and



You KNOW that it is going to be a problem. You've said so yourself. Why set yourself up for having to come to her and tell her it's not working when it will not. Based on what you said, much less than 'helping out 1/2 a day' has caused you problems.

I think you need to go in on Monday and tell her that you thought about it over the weekend and that while you are willing to help out for vacations/sickness and other duties that you can help her with that the 1/2 days just cannot happen. "I have my health to think about and I'd rather not spend the next month on pain medications."

I think that you've hit the nail on the head - she just doesn't want to do it and was thrust into having to really do it when the companies merged. She doesn't like that and it trying to use you to get out of it. Don't let her.

Yeh, what he said! Sounds like either she doesn't care or doesn't realize how much of a problem this will be for you. Whether HIPPA laws say you need it or not, I think I would still get the note just to show her you're serious about this. And I don't think I would "try it" and see what happens since you already know what will happen. If you need to go to HR or whatever the path in your company is, then do it. If they hired you knowing this was a problem, they can't force you to do it. I mean, it's not like you're not trying to help out - you offered to help her with her workload, but I would never just do something that I knew was going to hurt me in the long run. If it's her job to be up front and answer the phone - well, sorry, that's her job. Your job was to cover lunches, sick days, and vacations. That's all I would do.

 

[Buckalew11]

and



You KNOW that it is going to be a problem. You've said so yourself. Why set yourself up for having to come to her and tell her it's not working when it will not. Based on what you said, much less than 'helping out 1/2 a day' has caused you problems.

I think you need to go in on Monday and tell her that you thought about it over the weekend and that while you are willing to help out for vacations/sickness and other duties that you can help her with that the 1/2 days just cannot happen. "I have my health to think about and I'd rather not spend the next month on pain medications."

I think that you've hit the nail on the head - she just doesn't want to do it and was thrust into having to really do it when the companies merged. She doesn't like that and it trying to use you to get out of it. Don't let her.

Totally agree. She blew you off IMHO. She didn't really listen to what you were telling her & f she did, she didn't believe you or take you serious or whatever. TMJ is one thing but with what you have been through with it is not too be taken lightly. I hope you don't hurt yourself! It will not be worth it.

 

[Rajah]

and



You KNOW that it is going to be a problem. You've said so yourself. Why set yourself up for having to come to her and tell her it's not working when it will not. Based on what you said, much less than 'helping out 1/2 a day' has caused you problems.

I think you need to go in on Monday and tell her that you thought about it over the weekend and that while you are willing to help out for vacations/sickness and other duties that you can help her with that the 1/2 days just cannot happen. "I have my health to think about and I'd rather not spend the next month on pain medications."

I think that you've hit the nail on the head - she just doesn't want to do it and was thrust into having to really do it when the companies merged. She doesn't like that and it trying to use you to get out of it. Don't let her.

And since Jeff said it so well, let me repeat again:

I think you need to go in on Monday and tell her that you thought about it over the weekend and that while you are willing to help out for vacations/sickness and other duties that you can help her with that the 1/2 days just cannot happen. "I have my health to think about and I'd rather not spend the next month on pain medications."

 

[laura001]

So I talked to her. I told her that I was very concerned about being on the phone 1/2 of every day. That if I have a flareup I will be on major drugs for at least a month (not to mention unable to answer the phone at all). I suggested that I cover her for an hour at a time. And I also offered a doctors note - told her I had one at my other job when it became a problem. She said "well lets try the 1/2 day and see how it goes". So I guess I am stuck trying it - but believe me if it really starts bothering me I will say something. And I might just give her the dr note too. I did suggest that if there are other ways I could help with her workload I would be glad to. I think she's disappointed that she's not getting away from the phones.

I was just wondering if you could use a headset instead of holding the phone up to your ear? Perhaps that would help?