Posted by deirdrehbrt on January 16, 2004, at 21:03:51
In reply to Re: Back to work after med leave. What do I say? » sfmom, posted by 8 Miles on January 16, 2004, at 18:56:36
The ADA is a wonderfull piece of legislation. It provides us with LOTS of protection from our employers. The part that I like is that I can get a dog, and take her to work with me. (when I have a job, that is). I'm expecting to go back to school before work, and I'll be able to take a dog there.
You can't be dismissed for a mental illness, so long as you are safe and able to work. An employer may ask you for a document from a physician releasing you from work restrictions, but it doesn't need to list your condition(s). This is for the employers protection when they ask you to perform a specific task. That's really no different than when a doctor writes a letter telling your employer that you have work restrictions.
My philosophy has been to tell my employer what I think they need to know. If my condition is going to impact my ability to do my job, I'm up front about it. There is no need to volunteer any unnecessary information. Your employer doesn't need to know what meds you are on, though some may show up on drug screens. Providing the prescription to the proper people takes care of that.
If you are questioned about the number or quantity of meds that you take, then A: it's none of their business. B: the meds that we take would certainly mess up someone who wasn't already ill. Just the same as a blood pressure med would mess someone up if their BP was normal. Of course we take meds, and some of us lots of them, but WE ARE SICK! One of the meds that I'm on, Seroquel; I take 600+ mg per day. A friend's (who is also on Seroquel) boyfriend took one of her 100 mg tablets and was messed up for a week-end. It all depends upon the person, and we trust that our providers are doing the right thing. I have at least 5 meds that are supposed to make me drowsy, but these side-effects wear off, and we function better with them than without them.
Oh well, it's a pity that we have to educate so many people, but that's the only way to expect them to act reasonably.
Good luck,
Dee.
poster:deirdrehbrt
thread:301291
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040109/msgs/301857.html