I Am A School Sub With Celiac And Need Advice

[mommyto2kids]

I subbed at a high school today and loved the kids but had a strange experience with the school sec, She will not give out bathroom keys to subs!!! She says subs can use the single bathroom in the school office and that is all. I have been having issues lately and this will not do. This is a huge school, spread out. My class may be seriously a half mile from the the bathroom she is offering. My neighboring teacher told me to get a medical note to try to override her. I'm not sure even a medical note will break her because she is hell bent on making sure I don't have a bathroom key. I will see my gastro. in 2 weeks and ask for the note. My dh thinks I should go to the principal and tell him my situation. What do you think I should do ??!!!! Ug!

[kareng]

I haven't heard of this before. Everyone has to have a key to go to the bathroom? I would just ask the principle or if you have some sort of boss in the school district administration. Would the next door teacher let you use her key? What are you supposed to do if a kid needs to go?

[mommyto2kids]

The students have their own bathrooms but the bathrooms are locked up unexpectedly if a students messes them up and then the students have to wonder the school to find one that is unlocked. Pretty crazy. Anyhow, that is not my issue. Do you think I am in the right to fight for a bathroom key considering I have celiac disease with current issues? And how do I nicely yet firmly go about it? With a medical note?

[beth01]

Talk to the principle and explain your situation.  Tell them you can get a permission slip from your doctor to have a key to the bathroom. Then tell the secretary get the stick out of her butt.  Sorry, that's what I would do.  Don't do what I would do, I don't have one of those filter things they hand out before you're born that let's you know when to stop talking.  I blame celiac.

[StephanieL]

I believe you are protected by the ADA (unless you are not in the US or it is a private school which I can't imagine that large a private school!). Celiac is a hidden disability.  If she's hell bent on not getting you a key-I would talk to the principal and then the HR person you report to/who hired you.  

[Adalaide]

Talk to the principle and explain your situation.  Tell them you can get a permission slip from your doctor to have a key to the bathroom. Then tell the secretary get the stick out of her butt.  Sorry, that's what I would do.  Don't do what I would do, I don't have one of those filter things they hand out before you're born that let's you know when to stop talking.  I blame celiac.

 

Could be celiac. I was born without one of those too. Makes life interesting for sure!

 

I would do whatever is necessary to get the note though. I'm passive aggressive, I'd point out to her that I have a medical need and could get the note but I'd hate to have to escalate this and make it into an ADA thing. You can tell her that you'll be happy to only have the key on days you work and return it at the end of the day. I'm a sub at a college and can't get a key to "my" classroom, which leads to awkward situations at times when no one is there to unlock the door until 30 minutes after class starts. I understand their reasoning, and you may simply not be able to get a key to keep. It's a good thing I don't need a bathroom key or I'm not sure things would go well in Mormonville with my mouth.

[kareng]

I would just ask the boss first. If that is the school principle or someone who is in charge of subs for the school district. Usually, it's really that simple.

[LauraTX]

As a person with multiple disabilities that can fall under the ADA, it is just easier to sometimes tell people what is going on and ask for their courtesy.   Then if that does not produce results, you can go up the chain, but usually at that point you are going to need to do official documentation and such, and that is a giant pain.

[nvsmom]

Wow. Weird.  As a former substitute, I would  just tell (hopefully a different secretary) that you have a health issue and need a bathroom key, and if they say no, I would consider not accepting jobs there (if it will be a problem)

[weluvgators]

We have found working with schools to be easier when we can give them information in a format they understand. I would get an Allergy Action Plan organised and ask your doctor sign it. You can download the form online and pre fill it. I usually take a prefilled form and a blank in case they object to how I have completed it. They have always signed it, and have only ADDED to it on occasion. Our more classic celiac child has written instruction on her plan that she has immediate, without notice access to the restrooms. We have also found that a Medic Alert bracelet helps speak volumes as well when we need to negotiate for accommodation. Sorry you have had a bummer experience. Hope you get it sorted quickly.

[SMRI]

I would give the secretary one more shot at the key and then go speak to the principal if she doesn't bend.  If you don't get anywhere with that, find another school to sub at.  Most schools are desperate for subs so losing one is not something they want to do .

[kareng]

Not sure an "allergy Action Plan" works for an "as needed" employee.  Celiac isn't an allergy either.  I still think just speaking to the employer would be enough.

[mommyto2kids]

Not sure an "allergy Action Plan" works for an "as needed" employee.  Celiac isn't an allergy either.  I still think just speaking to the employer would be enough.

I tried speaking to her. It did not work. My best friend from my knitting group thinks I should get a medical note now since she wont listen to reason and then speak with the principal. She is the only person I report to. I could borrow a key from the neighboring teacher, but in a celiac emergency, that is not good. Sometimes they are out of their class for a prep period. So will call my doctor tomorrow. He knows this secretary from our tennis club. Small world. Hopefully with the note, she will bend. I like this school. It will be a bummer to not sub there over a bathroom key. There are way too many subs here so no one cares to loose a sub.

 

Thanks for your ideas, support and thoughts. And believe me, I'd love to tell her where to go. I'll just save that for here.