Seriously thoughtful Trouble at work, advice needed-plz

[emonti8384]

To start off, this forum has been the one place I can go to feel free. I can count on the members of this forum to help me when the people I know in person cannot.

I was a drug addict for 10+ years. Or I guess you can say I still am. I started out easy and went downward pretty fast. I coudln't afford a treament program; my mum died when I was 19, and I don't speak to my father nd brother. By the time I wanted to stop I was 21. I called every rehab, doctor, psychologist the phone book would allow-too much money. I was getting what I needed illegally because I had no other choice.

Finally I found a doctor that would help, that there was a doctor that prescribed what I needed but the only one. And he wasn't specialized in the path I was trying to take; he only prescirbed it for a certin brand of patients, meaning I'd have to lie to go legit with my medication. I went, and got what I needed.

I see a counselor and am currently enrolled in college for psychology. I went back to school after I met this doctor and after dropping out of hs and getting my GED, going back later on to be a medical secretary. I graduated with a 3.7 GPA. I went to work for the hospital, that knew I was taking this medication. I have been there for almost 4 years.

A year ago my 5 year relationship ended. He took everything; I didn't even have any sort of chair to sit on. Of course I was devestated, but went to work everyday with a smile on my face and never compromised my patients. Or called off. My doctor put me on anti-anxiety meds. 3 months after my break-up my doctor prescribed me an antidepressant. I reacted very badly at work, and was excused for the week. When I did come back, the second day I was taken in for a drug test. Alcohol, hair, urine. They said I'd be compensated for my time off if the meds were all prescribed and it would take about 10 days and I would be on unpaid suspension. It took 17 days.

I had a meeting with the health nurse and my 2 bosses. They claimed that the level my medication was at far heavier than what (a level indicating abuse) it should be (and let me mention this test only tests what is in your system at time of testing, not what is taken everyday) and suspended me even further. I had to take short term disability and FMLA. They were rude to me and although my doctor was on vacation in order to get my clearence to return to work. They accussed me of prolonging my return on purpose. I clocked out June 1st and returned on July 17th, without the pay compensation.

Ever since then I have been harrassed. My doctor whom they've refused to speak to and refused to relese a copy of the urinalysis (to which my doctor wrote a letter saying the test inicated I was properly using my medication-I had to steal it bc they refused to release it to my doctor or me). People have reported me for things I do not do, say that I've lost too much weight (I lost 50 lbs and remain at a steady 126. I am 5 foot tall even), my eyes are red, and I am often "drowsy"
which indicates apparent drug usage.


On the 13th they drug tested me again without any supervisor supervision. A co-worker that does not like me called my boss at home and told her I appeared to be "lethargic." My boss called the health department, and the drug test was done but I was allowed to remain at work this time.

Yesterday they called me and said my urine tested positive for marijuanna, although my hair did not I have not smoked pot since freshman year, which have been 11 years. I am suspended pending I attend and pass an out-patient drug treament.

I have no idea what to do. I cannot seem to find gainful employment anywhere else. I have gotten to the point where I cry every night and every morning before work. I have no friends and the only thing I trust and confide in are my cats. Being a drug addict destroyed parts of my life I will never get back. I have no reason to over-indulge on my medication. I worked so hard to try and better my life but they are intent to destroy it. What do I do? I am begging someone to help me. Please.

[red_phoenix]

Have you documented any of the troubles you have been having with your co-workers/bosses?

Is there some kind of in-house appeal/complaint process related to the way you are being treated?

Does the hospital have an HR department?

Your bosses must have their own bosses? Have you tried to contact them?

Is there some kind of Ombudsman's office you can go to?

Would the Ohio Civil Rights Commission be of any help?

I do not live in the states and am not sure of all the options available. These are a few I can think of based on my own work history in large companies. I was never harassed by co-workers but did work in a very stressful environment for a time.

I am sorry you do not have a support system of friends and family to help but I am glad you can at least turn here for support. It is very difficult to go through any stressful situation alone.

The wonderful thing about pets is they will always listen to everything we have to tell them without judging.

You are a very courageous person. You can get through this. I believe in you.

[wodin]

Try here

[Harry_Y]

Lawyer Up

[Shimarenda]

The hospital should have a grievance process; check your employee handbook or whatever documentation the hospital uses to explain administrative procedures. Pull together what information you have (except perhaps the stolen report to begin with), and see the ombudsman (or whatever title they've given the person to whom you report problems). I wish you the best.

[TGS]

You don't say, and I have no wish to pry, what the medication is that you are now prescribed and how this medication relates to your drug addiction, if at all. I don't know what kind of employment protection legislation operates in the US, or whether you are represented by a trade union, but is there some way you can take a more active role in establishing your innocence, rather than being made the subject of a process over which you have no control?

It is important that you get some support at this time, perhaps from a community advice service?

I wish you the best.

[emonti8384]

Originally Posted by Shimarenda

The hospital should have a grievance process; check your employee handbook or whatever documentation the hospital uses to explain administrative procedures. Pull together what information you have (except perhaps the stolen report to begin with), and see the ombudsman (or whatever title they've given the person to whom you report problems). I wish you the best.

When I tried to file a grievence I had to take it first to my manager- if she sound not resolve it the the next higher up person would get it. 2 days after I told her I wanted to file it she wrote me up for missing more than 6 days of work (there were 9 dates written on her sheet). I go to school full time and she has said she'd allow days off for tests.

[emonti8384]

Everyone thank you for your replies. I have been polishing my resume and thinking what I could do next. I have been through so much in my life I don't feel like I ehould have to put up with this. I'm just frustrated and confused, and despite my past very naive. Lol, my motto is a rescued an8imal should only need resuced once. I just don't understand, and I'm trying to hold my head high. Thank you for the encouragement. Btw I have started seeing a couselor, and have always seen someone that works out of a church. She has her master's but chooses to do it pro-bono since she is an educator for the church.

[emonti8384]

Originally Posted by red_pheonix

Have you documented any of the troubles you have been having with your co-workers/bosses?

Is there some kind of in-house appeal/complaint process related to the way you are being treated?

Does the hospital have an HR department?

Your bosses must have their own bosses? Have you tried to contact them?

Is there some kind of Ombudsman's office you can go to?

Would the Ohio Civil Rights Commission be of any help?

I do not live in the states and am not sure of all the options available. These are a few I can think of based on my own work history in large companies. I was never harassed by co-workers but did work in a very stressful environment for a time.

I am sorry you do not have a support system of friends and family to help but I am glad you can at least turn here for support. It is very difficult to go through any stressful situation alone.

The wonderful thing about pets is they will always listen to everything we have to tell them without judging.

You are a very courageous person. You can get through this. I believe in you.

Yeah, lol, a lot of them dislike me intently because I have the least senoirity, they hold the same position as I do, they don't make much more than me, and are angry work is the only social life they have. I kiss my cats with this mouth so I'll be polite

[emonti8384]

Originally Posted by Harry_Y

Lawyer Up

Ah, but which lawyer? I have yet to find one willing to go against this corporation, which I have not succeeded at. Yet

[emonti8384]

I have agreed to go the dog and pony show route. I'm giving them my full cooperation- I have nothing to hide. I will return to work and have already set things in motion to remove myself from this deparment. Again I want to say thank you for the support. They say good chess players think 5 moves ahead but great chess players think 1 move ahead. I'm trying to take what has been handed to me as graciously as possible.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by emonti8384

Ah, but which lawyer? I have yet to find one willing to go against this corporation, which I have not succeeded at. Yet

I'd say keep trying the lawyer route until you find one who is willing to help. The only other advice I could offer would be what wodin suggested in post #3. You may find some folks there who have been in similar situations and can offer some better advice. Good luck to you.

[WT Sharpe]

In addition, you may find a local chapter of this organization whose members could offer you some advice.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

In addition, you may find a local chapter of this organization whose members could offer you some advice.

As I said:

Try here

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I'd say keep trying the lawyer route until you find one who is willing to help. The only other advice I could offer would be what wodin suggested in post #3. You may find some folks there who have been in similar situations and can offer some better advice. Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

In addition, you may find a local chapter of this organization whose members could offer you some advice.

Originally Posted by wodin

As I said:

Try here

After agreeing with your advice, I was just pointing out that they also have a local chapters in most cities.