
Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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For the past couple of years, I have been experiencing workplace harassment from a co-worker that I work closely with due to my medical problems (Degenerative Disc Disease/Degenerative Facet Disease/Fibromyalgia, etc). He is constantly making remarks that are degrading and very hurtful. He has even made up a song and sang it aloud, so that I could hear. The whole time laughing and having a good time. He has even given me, on several occasions, Social Security Disability Flyers that were mailed out by a local attorney as an advertisement, and make remarks such as, suggesting that I call them, and since you have been trying to make a case for disability, or; if you file for disability, you'll be able to stay at home and get paid for it. Since that's your goal anyway. He has all but called me a hypochondriac. In addition, he advised me that eventually a decision would have to be made regarding my employment. And has suggested that I take leave several times. Although he is not my supervisor, I still feel intimidated and fearful of my job. Last Wednesday, it finally came to a head. I was so infuriated that I could hardly speak, which lead to him making fun of me, actually began to mock me stammering with my words. I was enraged. I had finally had enough and told him that he was not going to talk to me that way and that he was causing a hostile work environment, and that I was not going to take it anymore. Due to the stress, I took Thursday and Friday off to think about my next step. It has taken me two day to recover physically and mentally. I am considering filing a harassment suit, although, I am torn. My employer (Owner/Boss) has been very good to me through the course of my illness, or at least has not terminated me yet. However, I have reported the harassment to him in writing and verbally on many times, and on several occasions he has overhead the comments and has stepped in to the office and told him that was enough. Other than that he has done nothing, accept telling me to ignore it, and offering to move me back to my old office. Ultimately, he is solely responsible for the situation getting out of hand, and could have put a stop to it long ago. I consider myself a very strong person, living which chronic pain, you have to be. However, I have begun to have severe anxiety about returning to work. The thought of walking back in to that building literally makes me sick. Has anyone else dealt with similar workplace harassment? Or, filed a harassment lawsuit? Any advice?
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I took more sick days during this time than at any other time. I wanted to quit every day, but really couldn't. What I did do was work every hard on separating my work life from my REAL life. I focused more on my attitude and learned that even though its hard, I really am the boss of me and no one can MAKE me feel or do anything I don't allow them to. Once I quit reacting to her, she started leaving me alone more. I will NEVER say it was easy and didn't hurt, but there was really no grounds for harrassment in my case.
One of the things that I did was to imagine "worse case senerios" - such as getting fired, getting another job, telling her off, etc. - it made it a little easier to continue.
Unfortunately even people like him have rights today. I know how stressing it is to open up that door when you arrive at work and immediately check to see where the person is. That is not a life. Sue the %^&%$##.
I hope you get to care of this soon, it must be taking it's toll on you.
I live in Montreal, Quebec and here we do it through work tribunals if you unionized. I believe you do it in the courts in the US.
Good luck, and go get em tiger, LOL
Americans with Disabilities Protection Act
we have the right to work, we have the right to have our employers make adjustments for us. Ramps for wheelchairs and rails in bathrooms.
But you also have the right to not be harassed.
Call a labor lawyer.
You won't have to sue, but for about 100 bucks they will write your employer a letter explaining what will happen if they don't correct this problem. Get it
Ouch
I am sorry you have to go threw this, I lived for years with that kind of treatment, still today the thought of even talking to some of them makes me sick. It's not even anger at the situation anymore. But, I do feel they helped make a bad situation worse.
Oh, there is an old post here, someone pulled it up last week, The Stigma of Chronic Pain. Long read, but maybe it will help you feel better to know you are not alone and that people understand.
#2 do you have a cell phone, or a tape recorder...call your own answering machine or voicemail, or ever your bosses and let his rude comments be recorded!
#3 Even though your boss has been nice would you wait so long if it was sexual harrasment! cause either way you dont deserve 2 be treated like this! you should contact a lawyer and see what they say
***Mandi!