Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

Work, Mistakes

Squeemom2
Squeemom2
Well, I did it again. This time it was a much smaller mistake ($1,400 vs. the $250,000 mistake I made earlier this year) but it was a mistake nonetheless. My boss is being a total hag about it. I want to tell her that my cognition is jacked. I was still in the middle of a flare when this happened but I'm scared that if I say that, I'll get fired. But I might get fired anyway if I keep this crap up. Ugh. At what point do you speak up and tell them that your brain is not what it used to be? Do I just sit here and let everyone think that I'm an utterly irresponsible idiot? Or do I let them know that this is another factor of my work performance that may be affected by my disease?

I work for a publishing company. I receive all of the ads for several large national magazines. I make sure that everything has been received. I make sure it's all technically sound, that it's the correct material and that it's all running on the right page. I handle hundreds of ads a month. I'm increasingly unorganized. I'm increasingly unable to multitask. I'm increasingly making mistakes.

Maybe it's stress. Maybe it's fatigue. Maybe it's my brain. I don't know what is the cause but I do know that I'm worried.
Tallie86
Tallie86
Try not to worry, everyone makes mistakes. I make mistakes alot recently, although mine are easy to cover up. Sounds like your job is very demanding.
Only tell your employer about cognitive issues if you are ready to, or if you are sure it will actually help you explain thing. Employers all react differently so its always hard to tell what best to do. I keep putting off telling my boss about whats going on with me. Im waiting till after my appt with my neuro on tuesdsy 13th, so I actually have info to back things up.
Dont worry, stress will make you feel worse.
Have a good weekend ((hugs))
lchoppel
lchoppel
Some combination of good symptom management and reasonable job accommodations from your employer can keep you working for a long time. Will your doctor prepare a letter to your employer about your health condition? You need to know your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Maybe it is time you disclose your condition to someone at work? Figure out who's the best person at work to talk to. It maybe your boss, someone in the human resources department, or maybe your project manager. Plan your disclosre statement with someone who is knowledgeable about the provisions of the Act. Iunderstand the MS Society people can provide guidance for the disclosure process. Call 800 FIGHT-MS. You can also discuss disclosure issues with someone at the Job Accommodation Network at 800-526-7234. Asking for job accommodations is better than losing the job all together because they believe you incompetent anymore.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Is is possible for you to find an Employment/Labor Attorney who does free consultations in your area and find out where you stand.......if you know what they can and can NOT get away with before you disclose.....you will be in a more empowered place when you do tell.
I agree that the ADA should allow you some protection, but I'd educate myself on that too, firsthand.
I feel your pain, I too am having increasingly more trouble congnitively and making alot more mistakes. It has me worried too so I relate!!
God bless!!
AusSue
AusSue
Ichoppel has given you good advice. I went through all of these issues & the best advice I would give is be well prepared for what the meeting, have someone preferably from ms society or that knows about ms with you to back you up. Speak to whichever boss is appropriate & request human resources manager to be there. They are the one's that will help with any workplace modifications,
It also helps so that they don't talk you down & make it a reason that they can dismiss you.
ezone
ezone
Yes, Lynne is right. Be infrmed. Also, your work can't accommodate unless they know your disability. Hopefully, they can find less demanding work for you. Or can you go out on disability before they let you go or some other drastic thing? Talk to your doc about a note to back you up. Best of luck.
mmthlvr
mmthlvr
It can be very tricky, just make sure you're prepared & stick to your guns. When my bosses found out they said let them know if I need to change positions & they would take care of me. Sounded good at 1st.

Next thing I knew they were talking to their Lawyer, they said just to get me some phone numbers & website info for me on MS resources, yeah right. Then they said it would be better for me to move to the office, I was working in the garage of a dealership.

I told them no, it's hard for me to learn new things & I'd be better off where I was. They moved me anyway, I should have fought it but I just didn't have the fight in me. Now I'm in a job I hate, I asked to go back to go back too my old job but they won't allow it. I hate my job, I make mistakes all day long now matter how careful I am. You don't have to tell them so make sure it's what you want to do. Best of luck.
Hugs
Tammy