My Advice to Newly Diagnosed or Oldly Diagnosed

[Jen27]

Since I just lost my job due to IC pain and troubles etc etc I cannot stress enough how important it is to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. EVERY SINGLE TIME you have to go to the Doctor, even if your work tells you that you don't need a note, GET ONE! Make sure one is photocopied to your file @ the Doc. Keep a calendar of all appointments, etc.

Maybe most of you do this already. I'm barely 23 and still a little bit naive so when my work told me not to worry about getting documentation because "they believed me" it turned out to bite me in the butt!

My state (IL) is considered an at-will state meaning unless you signed a contract for specific work dates from date A to date B, then your employer can let you go "at-will". Which sucks.

My last few absences from my job were a blur from where I was (which doctor was I at that day etc; did I miss work because I was sick; Was I getting tested that day?)

I guess you learn from mistakes, because even if someone had told me a year ago to keep a journal/notes etc even if I didn't have to, I probably wouldn't have. But now I know for next time.

Also, I would reccomend finding out your company's policy on attendance, FMLA, disability (long and short term) and GET A COPY OF IT for YOUR RECORDS.

In all of this, I wish I was better documented and although I do not wish anyone troubles, it is always better to CYA (COVER YOUR ASS) just incase you have to explain yourself!

Love
Jen