Work Issues - Part 2

[OnlySunshine]

After my doctor's appointment yesterday, I have decided to apply for intermittent FMLA for my chronic depression and anxiety.  I submitted the paperwork to my doctor to fill out, after which it will be submitted to the third party administrator at work and I will have to await a decision.  I originally thought about taking a 2-week continuous FMLA as I start on some new medication that's supposed to help with my anxiety levels but I don't think that's a good move at this point since I just received disciplinary action.  With the intermittent FMLA, I will be able to attend doctor's appointments for treatment and also take time off as needed for flare-ups which I think is wise because there are some days where my anxiety is so bad that I cannot focus and I am not a good worker when that happens.  If I continue to work without an excused medical condition, I fear further mistakes will be made and I will be terminated from my job.  Though it is stressful work, I don't want to have to start all over again because I will be without health insurance for at least 3 months and the ability to apply for FMLA for 1 year.

As for my work relationships, the assistant manager and I are in a rocky place right now.  She asked me to complete an assignment that I firmly believe is not my responsibility - I don't have the information necessary and I am too busy with tasks that are much more time sensitive (such as finding replacement staff for the weekend).  I stood up for myself and I was very proud of how I handled it.  I was not ugly and I didn't make excuses - I told the truth that I did not have the information necessary because I have never been provided with it.  It would have taken me at least a week to complete and I probably would not have done it right.  It's part of her job description, anyway.  I am reading a book called "Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No, to Take Control" which is written by a Christian author/psychologist that my sister read last year and my mom recommended I read it.  Part of the book is about giving back the task to the person it should belong to - usually the one trying to "delegate" it to someone else so they can place blame on that person if it's not done correctly.  The last thing I need is to have another mistake on my record.  I will not let that happen so long as I can control it.

Also, please say some prayers that I can meet with my manager when she returns from vacation next week.  I wanted to meet with her last week when I figured out that I was in error so I could explain what was going on but she never responded.  As a result, I did not have a chance to let her know about the stress I've been experiencing and that I was doing something about it already.  I have told the HR manager who was very supportive and recommended seeing my doctor for advice.  I feel like my manager is the one who should have handled the disciplinary action in the first place.  I am rather angry that someone else did it for her and I don't feel it was appropriate at all.  I admitted fault and, as a result, had the mistake rubbed in my face when it wasn't necessary as I was taking steps to avoid it happening again.  I also have the managers watching my every move which is not good for me - I work best under minimal supervision.  The intense pressure is making my anxiety worse and I think it would be better for everyone to take a step back and allow me to ask for help when I need it rather than hovering.