Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 15628

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(

Posted by jennyann on November 22, 1999, at 13:38:59

toda I was fired from my job. toay is the day my fulltime benefits would have strated (sick leave, bonus, increas in pay). I be;lieve I was fired for sharing my personal mental health status with my supervisors, upon thier prompting me for an explanation for my recent lack of enthusiasm. since that day, I have been underwatch, and have bneen crtically examined for the littlest things. today my boss said that the image I had drawn on my paint prpgram in order to make a silly wallpaper for my pc at work, ws a downloaded image and I had broken company policy, so I was fired. After telling her that I made the image using word and pan, she had no response and asked me to pack my things.
I took 5 ativan and am now waiting for the calm...I cant handle this. I have tried for so long and god-**** it, I m tired. I am so angry and feel descriminated against, but also confused and resentful that I wasnt told the REAL reason for being fired. sigh. sorry to vent. i need it though thanks for listening.
Jennyann, job-less once again

 

Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(

Posted by Phil on November 22, 1999, at 18:54:50

In reply to THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by jennyann on November 22, 1999, at 13:38:59

Jennyann,

I was fired from a job several years ago for no good reason...on Christmas Eve! It wasn't due to meds...it was a family business and those politics get mighty deep!!!

File for unemployment immediately, dust off your boots, and go find a workplace that will appreciate your unique gifts and talents. Or, as I like to say...F--K THEM!! Who needs it?

HANG TOUGH

Phil

 

Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(

Posted by TV on November 22, 1999, at 21:15:17

In reply to THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by jennyann on November 22, 1999, at 13:38:59

> toda I was fired from my job. toay is the day my fulltime benefits would have strated (sick leave, bonus, increas in pay). I be;lieve I was fired for sharing my personal mental health status with my supervisors, upon thier prompting me for an explanation for my recent lack of enthusiasm. since that day, I have been underwatch, and have bneen crtically examined for the littlest things. today my boss said that the image I had drawn on my paint prpgram in order to make a silly wallpaper for my pc at work, ws a downloaded image and I had broken company policy, so I was fired. After telling her that I made the image using word and pan, she had no response and asked me to pack my things.
> I took 5 ativan and am now waiting for the calm...I cant handle this. I have tried for so long and god-**** it, I m tired. I am so angry and feel descriminated against, but also confused and resentful that I wasnt told the REAL reason for being fired. sigh. sorry to vent. i need it though thanks for listening.
> Jennyann, job-less once again

Sounds like you need a lawyer, pronto! The circumstances are extremely fishy (and no warning?).

 

Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(

Posted by JohnL on November 23, 1999, at 3:40:44

In reply to THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by jennyann on November 22, 1999, at 13:38:59

Sorry you had such a heartless worthless boss Jennyanne. But ya know what? To heck with them! Their loss more than yours.

In years past I would be real concerned about this. But things are unique today. Jobs have never been so plentiful. Employers can't find enough workers. It's truly an employee's market out there. I've never seen it like this in my entire life.

Take your skills and get an equal, or preferrably, step-higher job. I've been burned and learned, like you, and I never tell anyone my mental illness difficulties now. It's personal and private. It's safe. It's no one's business anyway. Don't share your secret troubles with future coworkers. It just gives them ammunition (as you've sourly discovered) to put your name at the top of the trim list. Anyway, lots of jobs out there. I think you can find one better than you had. In this whole ordeal, your exboss is the one who looks like a joke. Not you. I wouldn't waste time and mood on legal stuff either. Not healthy for fragile moods. There's a great job with new friends just waiting for you. :)

 

Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(

Posted by Phil on November 23, 1999, at 6:27:22

In reply to Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by JohnL on November 23, 1999, at 3:40:44

JohnL,

I think I've come to agree with not letting co-workers know anything about meds...or much else about personal matters!
I have always been real open with people but this old dog is about to learn a new trick-zip-it!
I thought being open might help someone else if they are ever in the same boat but I don't get paid for helping coworkers...I get paid to sell.

Phil

 

Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(

Posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 6:31:37

In reply to Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by JohnL on November 23, 1999, at 3:40:44

I am sorry that you lost your job. That truly stinks.
Speaking from personal experience, I would say that you have to really think hard before going the legal route. It is very stressful, and you open yourself up to all kinds of scrutiny, intimidation tactics, etc. Unless you feel so strongly about the justice, move on with your life. It is unfair, but unfortunately, it is the burden of the "victim" to prove the unfairness, so you have to be ready for how hard the process is. If you can move on, find another job, go for it.

 

They asked, you told (my tactic: little white lie)

Posted by CarolAnn on November 23, 1999, at 8:08:52

In reply to Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 6:31:37

I agree with the posts that say "don't tell". But in a situation like yours, where you were specifically "asked" what was wrong, I have used the following response with good results: I tell anyone(work related) who asks that I have a "chronic medical condition"(technically true) which worsens from time to time; and makes me, kind of, extra tired. I say, "I don't really like to bother people with it, so I just keep on working the best that I can.". If they ask what the condition is, I say, "well, it's kind of a yucky thing, you really wouldn't want to know the details, and explaining is kind of painful for me"(or words to this effect).
Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, telling a white lie, in order to protect yourself or your privacy, is something that is *always* justified. Hope this helps, next time you have this type of situation.CarolAnn

 

To tell or not to tell....

Posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 16:24:27

In reply to They asked, you told (my tactic: little white lie), posted by CarolAnn on November 23, 1999, at 8:08:52

this is a really tough question, and always a risk. At my last job, where I worked among mental health professionals, some of my close colleagues knew, but not my boss. At my current job, where I work among educators, and some mental health professionals, I did tell. My boss, an educator, has been very supportive. But I can't say whether another person's situation is right for disclosing or not. It is hard to tell. Jennyann was fired. Adam says he was promoted after taking a months worth of mental health days in a row. Clearly there is no right answer.
Carolann, your post made me think of all the times when people ask what is wrong when a person is out sick. I realized a long time ago not to ask unless it is someone you are close to. I was working in a school and I asked a student, in what I thought was a friendly manner, what was wrong, she said, well if you must know, I have a vaginal infection. Boy did she show me. I realized how intrusive a question it is that many people just ask without thinking, assuming it is a friendly gesture to ask. Now I am keenly aware because of my own situation that I do not want people asking me what is wrong. It is ok for them to wish me well, etc. but too intrusive to ask about the nature of the illness. A few years ago I went to a doctor in a big managed care practice where you checked in at a main desk, and a clerk would fill out a form with you,and would ask, in full earshot of the entire waiting room, what you were here to see the doctor about. I said I would tell the doctor myself, and stopped going there soon after that.
Right now, several of my coworkers know about my current bout of depression, and my history of chronic depression, but I do not want others to know. There is one busybody that seems very curious as to why I am in and out of the office. Bugger on her! If she comes out and asks directly (she has asked indirect questions so I have been able to be evasive and vague, ie giving the hint to leave me alone) I don't know what I will say, but I might end up being rude, cuz it will bug me.
My boss has said I can cut my hours back temporarily if it will help. I might. I also left her a message today asking if I can sit down with her and go over all the stuff that has piled up and review it with her because I am feeling shaky about how thorough I can be right now on my own. I think I will need this level of hand holding for a while to function at work, and I am getting good signals from them that they are willing to provide it. Hopefully it won't be for long, if my new meds kick in. If they don't that is another story. I start lithium tomorrow, as soon as the scrip is filled and I pick it up. I also increased my serzone a bit, and my ritalin is up a bit because i started the SR version, to avoid the rebound irritability I was having (which compared to my current depressive state is just a minor irritant, not a major problem). Hopefully, the increased serzone will help with the sleep and tone down the night time fidgiteness, and the lithium will hopefully address the untreated "refractory" depression cycles I have. This one seems like a cycle thing , because it seems unrelated to any situation or event, whereas it is often easy to attribute my bouts of depression to something that happened. I will keep you posted. Sorry such a long post.

 

Re: To tell or not to tell....

Posted by Adam on November 23, 1999, at 17:30:44

In reply to To tell or not to tell...., posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 16:24:27

> this is a really tough question, and always a risk.

Yes. One does have to be careful, and not everyone will give you the treatment you
deserve. I've opted to lay it all out on the table with my employer, my illness, drugs,
the works. Not long after I got out of the hospital I started on Remeron, and was
so groggy I couldn't drive. I called up my boss and told him. I've never really known
what else to do. I lack guile, I guess. I've been fortunate, and was always treated
with respect and kindness, and I'm glad that I've chosen disclosure. I don't see how
anyone could have understood what I was going through without frank discussion. I beleive
it actually helped with my promotion. I did some very good work before things got unbearable,
and when my productivity slipped, they then knew how hard I had tried to struggle through it.
They knew I was still giving it my best effort, and that I needed a break to take care
of myself.

For me, part of not feeling ashamed of my illness has been admitting to others that I suffer
from depression. The response has not always been good. I'm quite certain it terminated a
potential "friendship", and that hurt terribly. I know now, though, that this person wasn't
for me. I guess I really know where I stand with the people I have opened up to. It's the
only way I can operate now. I understand completely the desire, and sometimes the need to not
disclose such information. In my own experience, the occasional pain of rejection or
mistreatment has been worth the unexpected understanding and support I've gotten from a choice
few.

 

Re: To tell or not to tell....

Posted by Adam on November 23, 1999, at 20:20:24

In reply to Re: To tell or not to tell...., posted by Adam on November 23, 1999, at 17:30:44

>
> For me, part of not feeling ashamed of my illness has been admitting to others that I suffer
> from depression.

I should say this is a recent policy (since I got out of the hospital). Before that
I didn't tell anyone, not even my family. I found the constant need for dissimulation
burdensome. Hence the change.

I am so sorry about what happened to you, jennyann. I hope you can find a more enlightnend
and supportive employer soon. I don't think you should feel badly that you told the truth.
If there is anything to feel badly about, it's that some people, to quote a bad movie,
"can't handle the truth." Keep your head high and don't look back.

 

Re: To tell or not to tell....

Posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 21:40:58

In reply to Re: To tell or not to tell...., posted by Adam on November 23, 1999, at 20:20:24

I also used to keep it all under wraps. I made a "change in policy" this summer by telling my parents, although I had told them about fifteen years ago, after I got out of the hospital then. Only they, and I, for that matter, believed that my depression would be something I would "get over". I made steady improvement, with occasional bouts, over the years, but then in the past six years or so, it has been an up and down but definitely worsening course, with more frequent and more severe episodes as time goes on. I guess this year has been the worst, due to a major stressor in the spring, and this gave me an "excuse" to tell my parents. I felt I needed their support, and they have given it. Some of the support has been financial, some encouragement, understanding. The decision to tell my boss wasn't planned, but it seemed the only thing to do at that moment. The two coworkers I told have also been very supportive. there is one other person at work who is a close friend who has known all along. He is the one who practically dragged me out of bed the other day. Sometimes his approach to it all is not what I believe is helpful, but I always appreciate his attempts, and that he cares so much. he has been ther for me. For example, he came over last year and helped me clean up my mess of an apartment because the landlord was coming over to renew the lease, and wanted to see the condition of the place. Sometimes this friend has some quirky ideas about what would help, well actually they aren't such strange ideas, it's just that he gets so literal and concrete about them. For example, he really believes in good nutrition and exercise, so he says the reason I was depressed this week is because of how I ate. It sounds inane, so I just overlook this stuff, because the truth is he supports the approach I decide to take, for example checking in to see how my pdoc appointment went, when I start new meds, etc. I have also told my brother who is supportive, although he seems not to know what to say or do. My sister has been supportive, although I haven't kept her informed as of late, because she is up to her ears in plannng her youngest son's Bar Mitzvah, and is getting ready to host a gaggle of guests from all over the world (she lives overseas)while working on her doctorate. I guess I will fill her in when all calms down in her house.
I am tired of walking around keeping it all a secret, and telling people has felt like unloading a burden.

 

Re: To tell or not to tell....

Posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 21:46:48

In reply to Re: To tell or not to tell...., posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 21:40:58

> I am tired of walking around keeping it all a secret, and telling people has felt like unloading a burden.


I guess this statement contradicts my previous post in which I talked about how irritating it is when people ask about my illness, and wanting to keep it my business. Maybe the point is to be able to decide where the boundaries are, not feel like I have to keep it tightly bounded to myself, but also be able to decide who I want to know. I guess this isn't any different than with any other illness or issue.

 

can someone help me (it's kind of dumb)

Posted by CarolAnn on November 24, 1999, at 14:45:43

In reply to Re: To tell or not to tell...., posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 21:46:48

Anyone?Please? For some odd reason, I cannot pull up Dr. Bob's post to this thread, "THIS MUST BE A TEST" If anyone saw it and remembers the basic message, would you mind (very much?), posting a brief recap? Thank you to whoever can do it! CarolAnn

 

Re: can someone help me (it's kind of dumb)

Posted by Noa on November 24, 1999, at 19:43:25

In reply to can someone help me (it's kind of dumb), posted by CarolAnn on November 24, 1999, at 14:45:43

Same result here, I just figured it was just something technical he was checking out. Don't worry about it.

 

Joke'em if they can't take a, well, you know.

Posted by Bob on November 26, 1999, at 9:51:49

In reply to Re: can someone help me (it's kind of dumb), posted by Noa on November 24, 1999, at 19:43:25

Jennyann, I say take the offensive.

1st point: as was already mentioned, it's an employee's market. I hope you can find a better position quickly. Here's a question for the peanute gallery, tho -- what would you say when asked about your last job, for references for instance?

Me, if forced or given no real choice about it, I'd say I'm suing for wrongful dismissal and can't talk about the case. It may not be the best foot to put forward, but what do you do if you have no choice?

2nd point: contact the EEOC. File a charge of discrimination against your employer. This won't cost you a thing and, if you can demonstrate or document what happened, then the EEOC may nail them on their own without putting you thru too much more. I'm working with the EEOC right now against my current employer and next week should see some action, so I'll fill folks in once it hits the fan.

3rd point: using the ADA and the EEOC won't make you much in punitive damages. A laywer I've been speaking with told me there are other routes to go that can be far more painful to those asses who fired you and take less time. But, as Noa said, you gotta keep in mind that if you try to rub their face in it, they'll do it just as hard, and as a business with probably more cash sitting around than you have in your bank account they can afford to do it, too. A good friend just gave me some advice along this route as well, since I was telling her about going for blood. Hopefully I'll be in touch with this lawyer early next week so I can add my own perspectives to my friends and post them here.

Until then, jennyann, keep in touch here and let us know how you are doing. Stay strong, and remember you've got a lot of people here to lean on.

... oh, and joke'em....
Bob

 

Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(

Posted by John B on November 26, 1999, at 15:39:50

In reply to THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by jennyann on November 22, 1999, at 13:38:59

I generally do not tell, for the simple reason that most people don't know what depression, etc, is, beyond some simplistic notion of "crazy" or "mental case". Of course, if you work among educated health progessionals or the like, that might be different - but how many of us are in that situation?
I think that mental health is one of the last great taboos in the general society. It's not OK to discriminate against a guy in a wheelchair, but a mental health problem, thats a different story.
For every positive step in the media, Tipper Gore "coming out", Rod Steiger recently on the Larry King Show, there's two or three stories about mass shootings where the perpetrator "had been proscribed Prozac".
For me, it's just a case of "would this person really know what to do with this information if I gave it to them."

 

Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(

Posted by Packrat Pete on November 28, 1999, at 5:43:07

In reply to THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by jennyann on November 22, 1999, at 13:38:59

Jenny Ann:
Firing somebody from a job because they have a mental disorder is illegal. Here in Massachusetts, we have a Commission Against Discrimination that handles such matters; at the federal level, it's the Equal Employment Opportunity Council (EEOC). The Commission Against Discrimination allows a person with a mental disorder to self-identify such to the company; the EEOC works in a similar manner. The company must respond with a reasonable accommodation to the disorder: See also the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. If you believe that you have been fired from yuour job because of your mental disorder, you can sue the company. Good luck from a fellow sufferer.

 

It's not so simple ...

Posted by Bob on November 28, 1999, at 17:37:01

In reply to Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by Packrat Pete on November 28, 1999, at 5:43:07

> ...If you believe that you have been fired from your job because of your mental disorder, you can sue the company.

Again, there are two paths you can take--within the ADA, or outside of it.

Working within the TItle 1 of the ADA (it's section on discrimination in the workplace) means working by the EEOC's rules. When you file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC, its rules are to try mediation first (if the charge warrants this action, and yours certainly sounds like it does). Mediation *may* not cost you a cent, in that you don't *need* to have a lawyer present to do it. You and an "advocate" face off against your employer and their "advocate" with the EEOC mediating. If there is no mediated settlement, then three things can happen: (1) the EEOC can drop matters right there if further steps are not warranted, or (2) it can issue you a "right to sue" letter, which you need if you're going to take your employer to court under the ADA, and/or (3) it can go after your employer on its own.

In any event, the lawyer I've been speaking with says the ADA is not a good path to take if you want punitive damages ... there are other faster, more lucrative paths (supposing that you win, of course). Also of course, it's just like a lawyer to point out the potentially shorter, more lucrative path. The point is, you have more options than the ADA.

Also keep in mind the caveat raised by others here -- this can get as nasty as mudwrestling in a septic field. If you try to hit them, they will try to hit you and, given what they've already done, I wouldn't expect them to fight fair. I don't mean to scare you off, but you should be prepared and go into it knowing what it may cost as much as what it may gain for you.

Bob

 

Re: You're right, Bob, it's not so simple ...

Posted by Packrat Pete on November 29, 1999, at 7:08:32

In reply to It's not so simple ..., posted by Bob on November 28, 1999, at 17:37:01

...to go the EEOC/ADA route, but to reiterate, in my state (Massachusetts), there is a Commission Against Discrimination that will accept complaints of discrimination against handicapped (i.e., mentally ill) individuals and investigate those complaints; the complaint is automatically filed with the EEOC. There's no guarantees here...I went this route several years ago, only to have the case thrown out after three years because of insufficient evidence (the Commission Against Discrimination misplaced important paperwork). Still, filing a complaint is better than just sitting on your hands doing nothing. Sadly, the situation keeps repeating itself, as I'm sure it foes for many of us...I'm now on medical leave from work (a different job this time) and contemplating yet another complaint because of the company's insistence on addressing what is essentially a medical condition with administrative approaches--using written warnings and letters of reprimand when symptoms arise. ironically, I'm a mental health professional working in the field; apparently, we aren't supposed to become mentally ill because we know so much about the various conditions. Thus the advantage of self-identifying as a handicapped person under the ADA at an appropriate time; typically, when the sympotms of a disorder have somehow interfered with your work--for me, it was when I was issued a written warning for falling alseep on the job because of side effects from the medication that I'm on. Doing so paved the way for an application for medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. I'm now using sick time in an attempt to get my symptoms under control so that I can return to work. Is it tough? You bet! The last time I went through this, I was fired from a $35,000 a year job, and the company was extremely nasty in doing so. Will it get tougher? You bet! I'm now in essentially the same position, but at least I have documentation of treatment, etc. Will justice be served? Unfortunately, probably not. That's why we'd all like to hear from you, Bob, of the alternatives that you spoke of to the ADA/EEOC route. Maybe it will take a major financial award to a mentally ill individual to wake up corporate America to the fact that mental illness is a daily reality to many of this country's workers, who strive to do a good job under difficult personal conditions. Thanks for listening...

 

Re: Noa 11/23 & Jennyann - This must be a joke

Posted by bonnie on December 1, 1999, at 10:54:01

In reply to Re: To tell or not to tell...., posted by Noa on November 23, 1999, at 21:40:58

RE: Noa and his friend w/ quirky ideas - the idea about eating and exercising is not that crazy. It's a proven fact that exercise increases your serotonin and that certain foods can affect your state of mind. You can have sugar highs and then crash, you can have carbo highs and lows, caffine can make you anxious, etc., etc. Maybe you could be more open-minded about your friend's ideas. What could it hurt to eat more healthy?

RE: Jennyann - I really feel for you, having this happen during the holidays. But I am a great believer that things happen for a reason. I agree with whoever said you are better off without them. You spend most of your waking hours with your employer so why would you want to be employed by a company who has no tolerance for who you are? It's like being married to someone who won't doesn't like you. You might need that understanding and tolerance in the future if/when something major happens. And as far as fighting, I am a fighter and all for fighting when I know I can win. But I also agree with whoever said that it's much too much stress on you. My friend just recently went thru a battle with the state regarding harassment. Not sexual harassment, just basic harassment. She had months and months of documentation, etc., yet there wasn't even a lawyer who would touch it since it WAS the state. Their explanation was that it was hard to prove. She ended up with all sorts of muscle problems from the stress, she broke out in this rash on her hands and feet from the stress. It was a daily nightmare. We both ate, breathed, and slept the damn battle. And had she not been such a good friend I would have just walked away from it because it WAS so stressful. Co-workers that she thought would help her substantiate her case ended up backing down or keeping their mouths shut. But think about it. They have their own jobs to look out for. Ultimately, it worked out that her situation changed at work (which was what she was striving for) but nothing legal came out of it because she could not PROVE anything. And this situation would be hard to prove, as well. Could you PROVE you told them on about it on a certain date? Could you PROVE that the "watchdogging" and ultimate dismissal resulted from that disclosure? Do they have any documentation on you and your job performance that they could use against you? And I don't know if it's just my state (Commonwealth of Virginia), but here an employer can fire you for whatever reason he wants. If you miss too much time from being sick, if he doesn't like the clothes you wear, if he just has a bad day -- he has that right. Then it's your right to go to the Employment Office and file a claim. They determine whether or not it was justifiable. (I know, it sounds crazy...) And if, for instance, it's due to illness -- then they don't consider it your fault and you get unemployment. It's nuts. There are two standards. There's the employer's right to fire for whatever reason. And then there's the employee's right to not have been fired unjustly. I know all about this because I got fired (for other reasons) I was awarded it. So, that part I believed in fighting for, as he was a total ass. But when it comes to suing for discrimination and all that, the big boys have more bucks and more legal weight that you'll ever have. Is it worth it? Like I said, can you PROVE it? If not, then let it go, learn from your experiences and move on. Instead of being a "poor, pitiful me" mental case -- take responsibility for sharing your personal business with people who had not earned your trust. It feels better kicking yourself in the ass then it does being a victim. And I don't say these things to be hard and harsh, Jennyann. It's just so easy for me to fall prey to the victim syndrome, which can launch me into depression. Therefore, I'd much rather feel in control of my situation and feel that I had a hand in it instead of feeling out of control and victimized (even it it wasn't the outcome I wanted -- hey, I make mistakes). In the long run, if you think positively, you will end up in an environment where people ARE compassionate and understanding and will accept you for who you are. I was fortunate that when I had a bout of depression (I was being treated and taking meds for it but was mildly bi-polar and didn't know it), that my boss was understanding. Probably because his own wife suffered from the same thing. So that's my point -- there ARE people out there who understand. You just have to find them. You will be in my prayers and happy holidays!

 

Re: Noa 11/23 & Jennyann - This must be a joke

Posted by Noa on December 1, 1999, at 19:32:29

In reply to Re: Noa 11/23 & Jennyann - This must be a joke , posted by bonnie on December 1, 1999, at 10:54:01

Bonny, I am not dismissing the idea that eating healthfully and exercising are helpful.

In the context of what was happening, and I said this in my post, his ideas are not off base, it was just how concrete he got in applying his ideas to the moment. I was in severe crisis, and in the short run, what I ate that day, etc. was not the point.

 

Packrat's answer (of sorts) and ...

Posted by Bob on December 2, 1999, at 20:40:06

In reply to Re: Noa 11/23 & Jennyann - This must be a joke , posted by Noa on December 1, 1999, at 19:32:29

... a tale of unbelievable inspiration.

Packrat-- NYC and NYS have civil rights laws that cover disabilities that apparently exist outside the context of the ADA. I don't know the legalities of it ... all I know is that the laywer I've been speaking with says the civil rights route is quicker and more lucrative when successful. Trust a lawyer to sniff out where the dough is, even this one who won't work on contingency.

My latest tactic is also to go after my employer through other routes. They have federal and state funding that requires a letter of compliance with every non-discrimination and civil rights act you can imagine, and these sources of funding have their own investigation units. Besides that, I'm trying to pull together every scrap of evidence I can for potential fraud or misspending of funds for a whistleblower action. Everyone I've known who gets federal or state funds for something winds up misspending some of it, so such charges are rarely frivilous. In my case, tho, I'm sure I could document anywhere from 5-15% of our yearly budget on this grant being misspent. I just don't know if that's enough for the Inspector General of this funding organization to care ... it being a federal agency that has congress breathing fire down its back, I think they'd be interested.

It may do nothing to fix my situation, and it may be petty and malicious to some extent, but there's more than one type of satisfaction and I don't think I'll lose sleep if my employer has to refund better than $50k of all y'all's tax dollars back to the gov, even if the gov just misspends it somewhere else.

Hey, maybe I can get Tom Brokaw to talk to me about, oh, what's that series he has on misspent federal funds?

oh, the bit o' inspiration ...

My previous employer screwed me royal. Nevermind the intricacies of NYC tax laws, residential status, and where you work -- suffice to say that because of the incompetent arses in the payroll office I was out about $3k in taxes that should have been withheld but weren't. At the time, I was just starting meds and was taking nothing for my panic disorder. I completely flipped out. I couldn't file ... I couldn't even look at the shelf in my home office where I had put the papers. Hell, I couldn't even tell my therapist about it for over a year!

Well, along came clonazepam and then nortriptyline, and I finally could face the music. By now, the debt had grown to $4500 in taxes, interest, and penalties. By NY law, you can protest penalties but not taxes owed or interest due. But I got a letter from my therapist and my pdoc describing my situation, told the story of how it happened, asked for some accommodation due to my disability, and then (with a check for $300 as an gesture of good faith) asked for the entire debt to be cancelled. That was back in July.

Guess what? I now own this glorious piece of art, valued at $4200, in the form of a letter from the treasury cancelling my entire obligation. I'm gonna frame the dang thing and hang it on a wall.

You see -- sometimes the good guys (and gals) DO win ... even when playing with the taxperson.

Bob

 

Just a concerned person

Posted by Kimmi on December 3, 1999, at 22:29:00

In reply to Re: THIS MUST BE A JOKE...........:(, posted by Phil on November 23, 1999, at 6:27:22

To Whom It May Concern.
I just wanted to ask a question and I hope that I am in the right place. One of my family members has this we think, but what are the symptoms of this disease. She is always tattling on herself and is always saying maybe or I don't know. I was just wondering if these are signs of OCD. I would really like to hear from you and will be waiting for your respond. Thanks for all your time and effort. Your answer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again....
KIMMI

 

Re: Bob's answer of sorts

Posted by Packrat Pete on December 5, 1999, at 18:15:55

In reply to Packrat's answer (of sorts) and ..., posted by Bob on December 2, 1999, at 20:40:06

Thanks, Bob, for your suggestions and for your tale of inspiration. They gave me some ideas and the hope to proceed against all odds.
Packrat Pete

 

Kimmi's question moved to a new thread....

Posted by Bob on December 5, 1999, at 20:13:24

In reply to Just a concerned person, posted by Kimmi on December 3, 1999, at 22:29:00

> I just wanted to ask a question and I hope that I am in the right place....

Sounds like you're in the right place, but your question deserves a thread of its own, Kimmi.

Look down towards the end of the list of threads (not the responses to *this* thread for "Kimmi's question"

Bob


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