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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TexasChic on June 14, 2004, at 16:34:02
My boss just had me go to another room to talk to me and told me my average hours since I've worked here is 37.07. She was very nice about it and said I just need to bring those hours up to at least 38 for insurance purposes. But it was a written warning that is now in my files. I couldn't help but start crying, and she was looking at me like, what the h@ll is wrong with you? Anyway, it was just embarrassing. I can't understand why I'm overreacting so much lately. And I hate that I have a written warning on file, even though this job was only supposed to be a transition job.
Anyway, I just felt the need to vent.
Posted by partlycloudy on June 14, 2004, at 17:12:29
In reply to Work and attendance, posted by TexasChic on June 14, 2004, at 16:34:02
Well, let's see: your boss took you into another room to speak with you (you get anxious and anticipate a problem, because praise usually gets an audience); you're told that you have to bring your weekly hours up EVER SO SLIGHTLY (now you're wondering what the big deal is, more anxiety); and then you find out there's a written warning in your file to that effect.
Well, I know I would cry.
Does the warning have an expiration date? You might want to request it be withdrawn from your file after XX weeks of 38 hour work weeks.
Posted by daisym on June 15, 2004, at 0:38:51
In reply to Re: Work and attendance » TexasChic, posted by partlycloudy on June 14, 2004, at 17:12:29
TC,
Chalk it up to some body following an insurance rule and don't beat yourself up for it. And by all means, cry and get the anxiety out. So what if you did. It shows you are human and care about how you are perceived at work.
Do you have a plan to find that hour per week?
Posted by ghost on June 15, 2004, at 0:44:06
In reply to Work and attendance, posted by TexasChic on June 14, 2004, at 16:34:02
i would have cried, too.
you can always add stuff to your own file, you know. you also have the right to see your file at any time. so you might want to look through it one day and just see what's in there, and how this warning is written. and if you have any explanation or just want to make an addition, you have the right to add to it. you can even say "i have acknowledged this written warning and intend to improve my performance by adding >0.9 hrs per week to my work schedule." and sign it. maybe it'll even put some closure on the matter for you.
but don't worry. i would've cried, too. and if this is just a transition job, then everyone knows that when you get the job you're aiming for, a few minutes out of the work week aren't going to matter.
Posted by Angel Girl on June 15, 2004, at 4:18:34
In reply to Work and attendance, posted by TexasChic on June 14, 2004, at 16:34:02
TexasChic
I've been in a very similiar situation myself. I was taking too much time off work due to my depression and I was called into my boss's office, where I was told off and a warning was put in my file. I cried too. Not long after that, they sent me to the 'company doctor' for evaluation. I guess it's routine but it makes you feel that they don't believe there really is anything wrong with you.
Anyway, when I saw the company dr, he mentioned about the time I was taking off. I told him that it was hard to even think about work when I was desperately trying to stay alive. I was extremely suicidal at the time. He supposedly was putting a letter in my file stating that the time off was not in my control. I lost a lot of wages for the time I took off and unfortunately it was never reinbursed to me.
Don't be so hard on yourself. It shouldn't be too difficult to put in another hour a week. I actually can't believe that they are so picky over just one hour. I guess it's all just office/insurance politics. Maybe she was just trying to warn you so that all your bases were covered so that you wouldn't have any problems with the insurance company.
Good luck.
AG
Posted by TexasChic on June 15, 2004, at 8:24:26
In reply to Re: Work and attendance » TexasChic, posted by Angel Girl on June 15, 2004, at 4:18:34
Thanks everybody. It helps to know yall would have cried too. I just feel like I cry at the drop of a hat lately. I guess I just knew that I have tried my very best to be at work if at all possible. I've come in several times sick as a dog. Besides being sick and the depression related absences, there is of course all my doctors appointments. But she will let me stay late to make up the time, so I guess I just better suck it up. Anyway, I just feel like my friends are sick of me whining and crying all the time, so it helped alot to be able to vent to yall. Thanks again everyone!
Posted by AuntieMel on June 15, 2004, at 18:43:10
In reply to Re: Work and attendance, posted by TexasChic on June 15, 2004, at 8:24:26
Whew. Lucky for me nobody counts my hours. I'd have bawled for hours.
Remenber - you only have to be present that extra hour. And look a bit busy. No need to overperform.
Posted by deirdrehbrt on June 16, 2004, at 8:17:51
In reply to Re: Work and attendance » TexasChic, posted by AuntieMel on June 15, 2004, at 18:43:10
Hi TexasChic
Just for starters, I would have cried too. In fact, I would have probably stayed for the rest of that day,but I don't know how much work I would have gotten done.
There was a period when I was working at a small company, and my boss got upset because of the time I had to take off for appointments with my therapist and physical therapist. I was still working over 40 hours per week, but he got upset because of the timing of the appointments. Eventually, he figured out that I had to see these people when they were actually at their respective offices.
It didn't become part of my employee record, but I still was very upset.
Some companies have strict regulations regarding what constitutes full-time, and who is eligible for benefits. Some have minimum standards over what is required to maintain employment. Right now, it seems that you are missing about 1/2 hour per day. In the overall scheme of things, that may not seem like alot, but to the people who keep track of your time, it could be a warning flag.
On the other hand, it's about the equivalent of a lunch break, or two 15 minute breaks per day. Your boss isn't even asking you to make up the whole thing, so even if you add the equivalent of one of those 15 minute breaks per day, you'll be doing what he wants, and you'll likely guarantee your job for as long as you want it. You'll also take more pay home, if you are paid hourly. Everyone wins.
Upset? I would be. Scared? I would be. Can you do something about it? Quite likely. Don't think of it as hours per week though. 15 minutes a day seems much more manageable.
If you are missing work for doctors appointments, you might also want to look into the way your company handles the FMLA (family medical leave act). You might be able to have them grant you the time you need without it appearing negative on your employment records. Also, with mental illness, the ADA may be able to help you out too.
I hope some of this helps you out,
Dee.
Posted by TexasChic on June 16, 2004, at 10:09:47
In reply to Re: Work and attendance, posted by deirdrehbrt on June 16, 2004, at 8:17:51
Thanks yall. All I actually need to do is work at least 38 hours a week. I usually work 40 most of the time, but sometimes when I have a doctors appointment, I don't make up the time. That is what I'll have to change. My boss will let me work late on the days she works late to make up the time.
As for the whole days I miss when I'm sick, that will be a different story. I get a little bit of sick time, but not much. So any time I miss not covered by vacation or sick time is what counts against me. And I do need the money really bad. I just happen to get sick alot ( depression issues aside) and have to miss more days than I have sick time for. I got in trouble for this at my last job as well, which I think is why it upset me so much. I just find myself thinking, "Why can't I be like everyone else and just come to work everyday?"
I realize now my boss was just letting me know before my benifits got taken away. It just upsets me that I have to get written up for something I can't help (being sick). But hopefully making up the doctor's appointments will be the thing that brings it up that little bit that is needed.
Thanks for everyone's support!
Posted by partlycloudy on June 16, 2004, at 10:19:08
In reply to Re: Work and attendance, posted by TexasChic on June 16, 2004, at 10:09:47
I'm sure everything will work out. I was fortunate enough to have the same practice of making up missed time due to appointments explained to me on my first day of work.
This is the end of the thread.
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