Recently I received an e-mail from woman working as a nurse whose health condition was making it hard for her to do her job. She asked about some of the accommodations her employer was offering.
I met with my HR manager yesterday. I met with her to discuss options for my job due to the increased stress it is causing me. She said she would have to talk to our VP and CFO, but wanted to know if I had any ideas of what else I could do. She said she did not think I could do patient care because it is 12-hour shifts. (I am a RN.) And she is right. Then she went on to say that she had to be careful to not put me in a lower position because they would have to cut my pay. I thought that your employer could not cut your pay under these circumstances?
If I go on disability I only get 60 percent of my pay which I could not live on unless I sell my home. It is very worrisome because I do not think I am that far off from going on disability now. The meeting ended with me telling the HR manager that I have an appointment with my neurologist tomorrow. She asked me to stop back by her office to let her know what my neurologist said regarding my work.
I am extremely stressed over my job because should it get crazy and I am alone, I cannot handle the workload. My only choice is to go home if that happens. She asked me to call her and tell her if I cannot handle the situation and then it is her problem.
I am the type of person who hates to leave them in that situation. I take my job seriously and try to do it well.
My questions are: 1. Can my employer put me in a lower position and cut my pay? 2. What does accommodate mean when the ADA says your employer must make reasonable accommodations to help you do your job if you have a disability?
Hello, I know this is stressful for you.
No, your employer cannot lower your pay or demote you. I think you misunderstood your HR person when she said she had to be careful that she didn't do that. It sounds to me that your senior management and your HR Manager are on board and are doing things correctly.
I know you hate to put your employer in a bad spot when things get to be too much for you, but you are going to have to be comfortable with your limitations and let them know when you need to go home. This will help them know just how much you can handle.
Accommodations mean that your employer must provide "work arounds" for you when you are limited by a disability. For example, if you are prone to exhaustion, perhaps you could work virtually. Or, if you have to work a lot of hours, perhaps you could "share" a job with someone. Most of all, take an active part in determining your accommodation process. It will only benefit you.
Good Luck!