Anxiety

[Kevin1963]

Had to take several days off from work past ten days. Today my boss told me I didn't have enough vacation or sick leave to cover it. This means, that although he sympathizes with my situation, sick child, he had to write me up and put it in my file. Basically so many strikes and I could lose my job. The stress hit me like a hammer and my light headedness which had been moderately low and infrequent came flying back like a freight train. Later he comes to me and tells me he ran my numbers and actually I do have enough to just cover, but I need to keep coming to work without missing days for the next month so I can rebuild some sick and vacation time. Although I've been doing better lately I now feel a cloud hanging over me. I hope this doesn't mean a down swing for me as I feel pressure of needing to not miss work, no matter my family situation let alone my mental health. I hope I don't start getting depressed again

[Cia]

Hi, I don't know if where you are at has a program called FMLA leave. It is a coverage that although you may not have sick days left of vacation days, it protects your job with any longterm type illness which can be used for yourself or family member..you just need to file the papers, get a doctor that treats your or your family member to sign it for how many days a month that he/she figures you will need to be off for whatever illness...usually this is for chronic conditions...mental health is one of them, but it covers any type of chronic illness for yourself and family members. It protects any disciplinary action or demotion due to the illness being treated. It protects your job. you won't get paid unless you go out on disability, but that too would be covered if it is a work related thing..even if it is stress leave. Generally, if you have an illness that requires you to leave work for up to a year, the state pays you an amount of what you make...acually, some people have told me that they bring home more money than working...like I said, each state or country has different types of rules regarding this, but this is worth looking into. ...hope this helps...just keep posting and we will continue to support you. You can also practice techniques for panic attacks and learn to control them through breathing exercizes, muscle tightening and then releasing, ect. These help to minimize them...I hope all works out for you. Hang in there.

[rara]

i don't know a lot about the Family and Medical Leave Act (this is assuming you're in the U.S.), but i know of acquaintances who had issues with their employers and this legislation gave them some of the tools to fight for the time off they needed w/o being in fear of losing a job.

I hope the anxiety subsides and you find some peace of mind.

[saing]

The joys of capitalism! In my country (Israel) if you bring a note from a doctor (yours or your child's) you're entitled to sick leave by law. However, since you're not going to come and live in Israel just because of that, I can only offer my sympathy and say that it is a very strict, rigid and unfair policy.

Perhaps there is some legal loophole for your situation?

Hope you feel better and everything works out for you.

Peace and warm greetings

[Kevin1963]

Thank all for the input and encouragement, it is very much appreciated. That's what I like about this place as there's people willing to reach out in such ways. I do know about FMLA and actually am signed up so when I have weekly appointments with my psychologist and phsychiatrist I won't get hassled. My psychiatrist at this point doesn't want to sign any FMLA request for my anxiety. I'll maybe talk to my psychologist and see if she's willing. I know they want me to stay at work and try and deal with it but as you all know there are days that it's just not possible and one needs a mental health day away from work. I am feeling better, I went for a long run that evening and it helped me feel better. Running is something I've picked up to help myself. I also did go through a class on stress management where I learned to do mindfullness meditation. I've slacked off on my practice of that and need to pick it up again. Anyways, thanks all again.

[Kevin1963]

Well some good news as the pendulum has swung my way. I reported the incident to my union rep., I work as a state employee and we are union represented and long story short my boss outright lied to me. I had taken parental leave after my child was born and he should have told me that I have 12 more weeks of FMLA/OFLA available to me to care for a sick child. He also made some statement that sounded like him threatening my job. Well, the union is chomping at the bit to go after him if I want to file a grievance. Based on my past history with him and what he's done to me and some other employees I am going to do it. Don't know what kind of outcome there will be but at the least he'll maybe, maybe not make such outright lies to me again, which would save me from a lot of anxiety.

[TJS]

Always good to hear there's still some justice
in this world.

[Carmichael]

Be careful not to tell a boss about anxiety problems. People will discriminate like crazy against anyone who admits to having a mental illness or psychological problem.

The discrimination and stigma on psychological problems is worse than any other kind of discrimination.

[Timothy]

Thats an absolute disgrace that some one would try to cheat you out of money while you were taking care of your sick child. I myself am a strong believer in Karma so i am glad the universe took care of you and you are now better off then you were before. Hopefully you have learnt a valuable lesson from this. No matter what, things will always get better, it may take a while but you just have to be patient and try your hardest to keep things together.

[EDUARDO]

I feel anxiety before any work that, i want to start .plz help me how can i get rid
from this vicious circle?

[Slaka]

Its probably a good thing to not have anything on file at work about mental illness or anxiety. It can cause problems in the future when it comes to looking for other jobs and also may give people a reason to try and fire you (get you in trouble for any little thing just to get you out the door.)
However a sick child is a different case competely. I hope the child ends up doing better and that the leave will help you care for him/her.
congrats on getting support from the union, and sorry you had to go through that crap from a BS boss.

Slaka

[Lavenderblue]

It's not perfect here... that is one thing that we need to work on over here. Stuff like treating your employees like they are human beings. Peace back to you!

[DAVE]

Hello Guys,
Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave, and they can manifest real physical symptoms.

[Beresford]

I think you should fight back against anxiety and make your
nerves strong enough to tackle any situation regarding anxiety.
You can't take more leaves from the work as joblessness is the biggest anxiety you could ever had.

[samme]

Anxiety feels tensions remain no good health and smarts mostly some one likes our body perfect so decrease a tension so forget tension merits and demerits and always be ready for slim and smarts so this will be possible in any case.

[joewow]

Well i had have the same problem but now i have learned to live with it .. I dont take tension over my work because it can worse your symptoms more .. So try to stay relax ..

[jamessmith]

Anxiety is a very big disease which makes men helpless.So be happy and leave anxiety to live a happy and healthy life.