IC did cost me my job

[sadandannoyedwoman]

I was never sacked from my job for IC, but six weeks after I started my last job, I was admitted to the hospital for IC testing. As soon as my boss realized there was something medically wrong with me, his attitude towards me totally changed. I was passed over for a pay rise due to my absences from work...ALL related to IC...even though my performance was equal or better than my peers. I was not allowed to transfer to another team because of their "concern" for my health.

In short, having IC ruined my career at this particular company and I had no redress whatsoever because it is not considered a disability in this country. It SHOULD be considered a disability.

I quit this job because my career prospects were literally dead in the water, and as soon as my bosses knew what was wrong with me, I was continuously brought up on bogus "discipline" charges. I was even written up once for not answering the phone correctly, even though there was no prescribed greeting in the company and everyone on the team answered the phone the same way I did. I was the only one to get booked for it.

I should mention that this happened in the UK, where it is NOT easy to sack someone and if you want to fire someone you have to have about a year's worth of write-ups, disciplinary warnings, and evidence of incompetence. I thought it was hard to be fired here if you did your job properly...I was wrong. If you're not doing anything wrong, they'll just make stuff up! My boss would write me up for "infractions" and lie when I challenged the write-ups, saying he had never informed me that we were not allowed to wear flat shoes without socks. He lied and said "I did, I told you." He never did, but he knows it's impossible to prove a negative.

Fellow IC sufferers, look out.

[Teri]

I am so sorry this happened to you but I think you were fired because your boss was a total jerk and not because you have IC.....sounds like he would have used any excuse and IC was just the most convinent one. I was once the 'boss' over 50 people and I never let a medical condition stand in the way of performance. I think this guy was just out to hang you.

Hopefully your next boss will be a real person.

tons and tons of <img src="graemlins/grouphug.gif" border="0" alt="[grouphug]" />

[Kelliepp]

Just wanted to let you know, that prior to being diagnosed with IC, I was diagnosed with UTI’s every month. I was out of work and in terrible pain. Well, I was basically fired from that job because “I had missed too many days from work”. I understand needing your employees at work and on time. What I do not understand is why people are not more compassionate. I was told when I started working for this firm that I never needed a doctors excuse, well then they tried saying I was staying out because I was just lazy. I learned my lesson from that job and every time that I am out of the office now, I provide my employer with a doctors excuse even though they told me as well that it was not necessary – yeah right, once you have been burned that is it.

I am a paralegal, so I know certain legalities that the office have to follow, for instance if you have each absence validated with a doctors excuse in certain states that is not grounds for firing someone, however, as in your case, I believe that they just come up with other excuse. Unfortunately, I live in US – SC and they do not have to have any reasons for firing you other than pretty much they do not like you and you do not mesh with their office.

This is why I have been trying to find other work - - I love being a paralegal and I am good at it, but in the legal field they want you at work and get aggravated if you are not in, which I understand to a certain degree as cases just pop up on the roster and if you are not in to prepare the case then that leaves everyone in a bind.

Who knows, maybe it will get better as far as employment in a few years.

Take Care!

Kellie

Originally Posted by sadandannoyedwoman

I was never sacked from my job for IC, but six weeks after I started my last job, I was admitted to the hospital for IC testing. As soon as my boss realized there was something medically wrong with me, his attitude towards me totally changed. I was passed over for a pay rise due to my absences from work...ALL related to IC...even though my performance was equal or better than my peers. I was not allowed to transfer to another team because of their "concern" for my health.

In short, having IC ruined my career at this particular company and I had no redress whatsoever because it is not considered a disability in this country. It SHOULD be considered a disability.

I quit this job because my career prospects were literally dead in the water, and as soon as my bosses knew what was wrong with me, I was continuously brought up on bogus "discipline" charges. I was even written up once for not answering the phone correctly, even though there was no prescribed greeting in the company and everyone on the team answered the phone the same way I did. I was the only one to get booked for it.

I should mention that this happened in the UK, where it is NOT easy to sack someone and if you want to fire someone you have to have about a year's worth of write-ups, disciplinary warnings, and evidence of incompetence. I thought it was hard to be fired here if you did your job properly...I was wrong. If you're not doing anything wrong, they'll just make stuff up! My boss would write me up for "infractions" and lie when I challenged the write-ups, saying he had never informed me that we were not allowed to wear flat shoes without socks. He lied and said "I did, I told you." He never did, but he knows it's impossible to prove a negative.

Fellow IC sufferers, look out.

[Babs RN]

I was fired due the IC in May 2004(wow--does a year fly by--) and they didn't even have trumped up charges for me. I had returned to work after a surgery and 2 days later I was pulled into an office on a conference call with corporate and canned on the spot. Absenteeism wasn't the reason I was given, but the fact that I had a chronic illness and that they couldn't count on me. I have been a nurse for 12 years, in the Army for part of my career and been the golden child. I have never come close to being fired ever.

Hugs,
Barb

[Portia17]

Beleive me they DO fire you for i.c. or any other medical disease but they can't say that by law so think of another excuse to fire you. It is all pathetic

[kelly McC]

My boss @ first tried to take away benefits dental and vacation. She said she could not count me and was trying to run a business. Mind you I have worked with her for going on 9 years just she was never my boss till 3 years ago. I am a good employee I go to work sick or notonly called in 2 twice but numerous hopsital stays surgeries all with medical notes. I did however drop hours after her contineous encouraging me and wanting me to state exactly when I would there. I was like what????
Mind 3 new employees have been hired they callin at least 3-4 times a month all 3 of them. Its outrageous. Aanyway I told her I would call the labor department and she was discriminating.She has never bothered me since and I still have my benefits for now its been a little over a year since our conversations.
Kelly

[radstudent]

I was fired because of my IC also. I was an x-ray tech and worked in a hospital. My boss actually called my room while I was an inpatient at the same hospital that I worked at to tell me that they were posting my job. Nobody in the hospital could believe what they did. I had many other employees from throughout the hospital even go to my boss and tell her that I was too good of a worker to be let go. I even spoke to the president of the hospital and it didn't help.

[ibtracy]

Hi there, just wanted you to know that you're not alone. I too lost my job due to chronic absenteeism due to IC and chronic bladder pain and I left my desk too much to visit the bathroom. They had other words on my termination letter but that's why they let me go. They never offered to work with me and altho it hurt, I was glad they let me go, I quit gritting my teeth at night and slept. They kept threatening me month after month - they were horribly about it. It was like they thought I missed work on purpose - like there was nothing wrong with me. Even joining the Union to help protect my job and my rights did absolutely no good.

I ended up receiving my disability benefits from Social Security so I don't have to worry for another year when I have to requalify and I'm sure with all my doctors giving up on me as far as pain treatment - that will either help or hinder me.

I'm sorry you're going thru such a bad time. I wish you more peaceful times ahead. Hang in there....

Tracy K.

[marysing]

Well, I haven't been fired or warned yet, but today was my first day back since my diagnosis. It didn't feel good. I have an appointment with my doctor next week to discuss what this might mean in terms of traveling for my work.

[Katrina]

So very sorry!!!!!! Sending some love your way!