Look up the Americans with Disabilities Act and forms for accommodation. Get a letter from your doctor as well (GP or rheumy). Go in ARMED.

As a fellow educator who has been on the receiving end of a politically motivated 'staff reduction' before. It looks to me like you've become a target for some reason. Once you're a target in our field - they may make your life miserable until you resign. Sadly, this is fairly common and one of the reasons that there is a 58% turnover rate by the fifth year.

So get those medical accommodations on file so that you're under ADA protection. Also if you are a member of a union or other professional organization - contact them as well. Try and converse with your principal via email so that you have a record of everything said.

I would also get my resume updated.

Sorry that you've been put in this position. Good luck

Ahhh... 2 beat me to it! ADA and FMLA baby. You. Are. Protected. By law.

Come to think of it, you might not want to even have this conversation with him. This might be a conversation for HR only, if his is showing this kind of, er, bias.

can we just give you a group hug?

Your profile shows you are 35 and have three young kids. you just just get a hug for that. You are working full time and you are newly diagnosed so I assumed not into treatment yet? Another hug.

I assume you are not employed at a teeny tiny employer (you stated education) so it is time to think about filing a FLMA with Human Resources as Confoosed so kindly advised above.

Depot

I taught for years and when struck with RA and CFS, my boss was offended that I hadn't told him I was struggling. Omgosh.... your situation personally infuriates me.

I taught for the state of Texas and I believed to r professional group that guaranteed us legal representation. BEFORE talking to the idiot boss again and being cornered by him....get representation and legal advice.

Yes... email him. In conversation the next time u talk with him mention ... "my lawyer advises me..." .... let him know quickly with these statements that u are not going to be bullied and that you are getting legal advice for your situation.

I had a bully principal once but it was a woman. I contacted a lawyer at one point.
If he does not understand an autoimmune disease, that is not your concern. He doesn't have to get it. U have rights.
Please keep us informed.

Does your boss know of your RA? That may be your first step, let him know you have an illness. This may be all it takes for him to understand where you are at currently.

I would also put in place all your protections from the ADA, etc. and let him know that you know you have rights and protections under the law.

Good luck!

First off, if you're in public education you ARE overwhelmed, and most likely underpaid too.

Second, is your boss actually talking about your physical appearance? You're not cute and perky enough for this rat's taste? Really? Wow. That type of sexist BS is soooooo 1960's.

Please tell us where he is. A few of us will be straight over to have a little chat with him. Then the lawyers, HR folks, and NEA/AFT reps will be by for a follow-up.

So, you've been told to sit in the corner and think about your shortcomings?

In answer to the question you pose as the title of your post, no, this is so far from appropriate it makes my head spin.. Now, there's a chance your boss is a decent guy, and will rise to the occasion when he finds out you are in the early stages of being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Just in case he is this much of a jackass, though, have all available resources lined up.

Wow!

In addition to what others have said, I would make certain I went back in with an FMLA form filled out and signed by my doctor.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm

all of the above and say a prayer of thanks that you live in California and not in Alabama!

Thanks for the great advice. I picked up the FMLA papers today and my DH will take them to my rheumy to get signed. I have talked to the boss about my diagnosis and was told to change my diet and get exercise and I will be fine! I am on methotrexate, prednisone, and Celebrex right now and waiting for insurance to approve Enbrel. I've been in education for 9 years now in a management position with no union. I will check out the ADA website before bed tonight. Thanks for the support and hugs! I'm glad I found you!

Oh no, one of those? Did he also recommend raisins soaked in gin, kale, or petting a short-haired dog? All suggestions folks have gotten to "cure" their RA.

hey Mom

hang in there and remember this person treats everyone the same way. you are at the front of his learning curve....you know FEDERAL law (and the last i checked FEDERAL meant the entire US and did no eliminate zones of voluntary ignorance and voluntary non compliance....)

with three young kids you have NO time, but if you can bring your laptop in the bathroom....(the one place that sometimes the door does not get plowed in, in a busy family)

here is a website from the UNITED STATES Department of Labor that encompasses a lot of FMLA information.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/1421.htm

while you are at it, if anyone in your extended family or circle of friends is a lawyer it does not hurt to merely chat. The HR folks are required to be up to speed since this is a UNITED STATES law :) (excuse the emphasis but voluntary non compliance with a Federal law is the same no matter what part of the US you live in)

and in the meantime if you happen to have ANY time for humor (which I am guessing, not) then you can look at alto's suggestions for a quick laugh and do it while ingesting kale.

Otherwise, you must be dog tired between a new treatment and the job and the three kids. how old are the kids and are hey all in school yet or are you still dealing with day care? what does your spouse/partner think of all of this and are you getting good family support?

hang in there

Depot

i'm not in education, but i am APPALLED that your boss has commented negatively on you 'looking tired and overwhelmed' and stating that is not appropriate for your position. it's not like you were wearing a skirt that was too short. i'm also APPALLED that your boss somehow thought it appropriate to comment on your medical condition and offer you advice. did you mention the RA to him before or after this wonderful conversation?

like others have said - stop talking to this boss about anything unnecessary/not work related/about your disease. get that stuff signed by your rheumy and get on the horn to HR. an HR rep cannot disclose anything you tell him/her about your medical situation. you have a lot of protection under the law (FEDERAL law, as depot pointed out, does not leave holes for ignorant asshats) and an HR rep should be able to help you with some of that. and as others have said, it may not be a bad idea to consult with a lawyer. sally is right - your job IS on the line. for many people, this is the first discussion you have on the road to getting fired. and refuse to speak to him and discuss your 'self reflection' without an HR rep in the room with you.

If you are in the 9th year - do you have tenure in your district?

This is VERY important since in most states non tenured teachers can be non-renewed (basically fired at end of school year) for no reason. We have no legal right to know why we are non-renewed UNTIL we are tenured. Tenure brings in rights of procedural requirements to fire a teacher - and proof that teacher violated contract in some way shape or form.

You're on the right track now.

One more comment about my journey with RA and my job (which I eventually had to leave because of the RA). Don't be afraid at all to talk with your HR department about this. I had always thought of an HR department similar to going to the principals office in high school. I found the opposite was true. From suggestions here just like you are getting now, I talked with my HR person the day following the first day I missed work because of my RA. They were so helpful to me - they are even the ones who suggested I fill out and file the FMLA form. From there through the following 6 months until I just couldn't work anymore they were a huge help to me with everything.

I have nothing to add as you've been given the best advice.
What a wonderful group this is.
Your bosses ignorance is common unfortunately. If only it took so little....
I hope the Enbrel works well for you.
Good luck with everything.
Sammy