Hello, my names Jonathan and I have been diagnosed with Chron's disease since 2007. I do pretty well with it by taking a lot of vitamins and prescription meds. I probably have two bigger flare ups a year and a several minor ones spread around. I am a mailman and my route is all walking so when my Chron's is flaring walking increases the pain dramatically.
I have taken sick time over the last year or so for my Chron's when they flare. I have also been written up because of taking sick leave and this one time due to calling in sick one month and two months later again (mind you only a day or two each time).
I was informed about FMLA through a co-worker and I had never known about it before so I decided to use it during my next flare-up which has been my longest/worst ever. I took off two days in a row and was good for the following 3 days. Than the 4th day I got hit hard and had to take off 4 days in a row followed by 3 scheduled days off.
I expected to return to work after that. I however was still in pain the day before returning to work and thus called in sick again. I followed-up with my Doctor whom had me stay home one more day. I returned to work and had slight increasing pain that day but worked through it. The following day the pain was worse but I got through half the day when I called the office and they called a substitute to come in and relieve me.
My boss messaged me the same day about the following day and my plan. I explained it would probably be best not to work. He wanted to have a discussion with me as if this was something I have control over. I told him I would try to be at work but was unsure how I'd be in the morning.
The morning arrived and once again I was in pain so I sent him a message explaining the pain and how it would not improve while at work. I also explained that this wasn't any different than an employee who broke his arm a while back and another you had a heart attack. All circumstances that no one could avoid.
I put all the leave through as FMLA and my Doctor filled out the proper paper and it has been mailed a couple of days ago.
I just feel as I am being mistreated because of a disease I have no control over. I don't know if there is further guidance or places I can go to make sure I'm covered against an employer who doesn't care. Thanks for any advice.
I have taken sick time over the last year or so for my Chron's when they flare. I have also been written up because of taking sick leave and this one time due to calling in sick one month and two months later again (mind you only a day or two each time).
I was informed about FMLA through a co-worker and I had never known about it before so I decided to use it during my next flare-up which has been my longest/worst ever. I took off two days in a row and was good for the following 3 days. Than the 4th day I got hit hard and had to take off 4 days in a row followed by 3 scheduled days off.
I expected to return to work after that. I however was still in pain the day before returning to work and thus called in sick again. I followed-up with my Doctor whom had me stay home one more day. I returned to work and had slight increasing pain that day but worked through it. The following day the pain was worse but I got through half the day when I called the office and they called a substitute to come in and relieve me.
My boss messaged me the same day about the following day and my plan. I explained it would probably be best not to work. He wanted to have a discussion with me as if this was something I have control over. I told him I would try to be at work but was unsure how I'd be in the morning.
The morning arrived and once again I was in pain so I sent him a message explaining the pain and how it would not improve while at work. I also explained that this wasn't any different than an employee who broke his arm a while back and another you had a heart attack. All circumstances that no one could avoid.
I put all the leave through as FMLA and my Doctor filled out the proper paper and it has been mailed a couple of days ago.
I just feel as I am being mistreated because of a disease I have no control over. I don't know if there is further guidance or places I can go to make sure I'm covered against an employer who doesn't care. Thanks for any advice.
