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Work and IBD -remote work/WFH/Telework

For those who work or have worked while living with IBD, has anyone experienced both Remote or Telework/WFH and working on-site?

My employer is requiring that we return to the office after working 100% from home for 2 years now.

I could ask for medical accommodation. But I guess I don't know if I need it.

I'm on biologics, and of course I prefer having my bad days at home instead of having epic diarrhea in the work restroom.
But I don't want to have to describe that to my boss.

I could mention that at home I have tucks and flushable wipes and a sitz bath and butt cream 🤣.
Are they going to give me a bathroom at work with the same amenities? And let me wear sweatpants?
 

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
Does your boss know you have crohns ?
That your are immunocompromised due to medication .
Ask how you can maintain your safety through HR
Another option

Have you filed for Fmla ?
It covers workers with more than 50 employees
Then if you have a bad day you can take intermittent leave (unpaid ) without penalty -up to 12 weeks each calendar year .

HR can tell you who handles Fmla
Typically if you stress crohns /Gi issues most bosses don’t ask for more details

I don’t have crohns but my child does so I have filed for Fmla before to care for his bad days at home /doc appts /testing etc …..
 
Does your boss know you have crohns ?
That your are immunocompromised due to medication .
Ask how you can maintain your safety through HR
Another option

Have you filed for Fmla ?
It covers workers with more than 50 employees
Then if you have a bad day you can take intermittent leave (unpaid ) without penalty -up to 12 weeks each calendar year .

HR can tell you who handles Fmla
Typically if you stress crohns /Gi issues most bosses don’t ask for more details

I don’t have crohns but my child does so I have filed for Fmla before to care for his bad days at home /doc appts /testing etc …..
I do have FMLA to cover sick time, appointments, procedures, infusions, etc.

My employer has a history of refusing telework as an ADA accommodation.
On the basis that "the work CAN'T be done from home". They forced numerous people into early (medical) retirement once they exhausted FMLA. I suppose they didn't have to retire. But finding a job near retirement age when you have chronic health problems is a challenge, to put it mildly.

Then the pandemic hit. And all of a sudden, surprise! The work COULD be done from home.
Things seem to be leveling out, or they're just tired of dealing with COVID, so now it's time to go back to the way things were.

Many companies and workers are dealing with this right now.
"We want to continue working from home".
"No, you need to be in the office. WFH doesn't work!"
"Why not? We've been doing it for 2 years!"

It boils down to controls. An employer generally has the authority to dictate how and where work is done.
My opinion doesn't matter. But that's the job I got, it pays the bills and I have decent insurance.

Is there enough benefit to being home to make it worth the paperwork, etc.
Right now, I can manage working in the office.
But COVID is still being spread, influenza is going around, and I have compromised immunity.

I told my supervisor I'd like more information about how HR plans to handle WFH requests for medical accommodation.
 

Scipio

Well-known member
Location
San Diego
How did you accommodate your Crohn's when you went to the office before COVID? Can you just go back to that arrangement?
 
How did you accommodate your Crohn's when you went to the office before COVID?
I would just go home or call in when needed.
Use 2-8 hours of PTO.

Can you just go back to that arrangement?
I can. And I will.
But. There's a huge difference between being home or being in the office.
At the office I have to consider whether I can finish the day or go home sick.
At home I can take a break and sometimes finish the day.

I'm honestly waiting to see how many people quit.
Maybe the boss will change his mind in a year or so.
 
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