*vent* Glutened At Work...

[princessfuzzball]

I now work in a bakery. Wait, wait, there is explaining to do. I had taken a leave of absence from my part time job to do research on a fellowship at a university. I used to work in the produce department and never got sick while on the job. I had just been "diagnosed" before I left, so I came back and the only job they had was for me in the coffee bar. I was o.k. with that but realized soon enough that it was in the middle of the bakery (where they make thier own breads) I got sick once about three weeks into my new postion, as it was the first morning I had worked. I called in sick and had disclosed my health issue with my boss. Nothing was done except to be told that I was off of the morning duty. I brought in information that stresses the somewhat horrible awful things that I will go through each time I injest a little tiny bit of the flour, and he really didn't seem to care, infact he didn't even recgonize that I had given him information! I got sick again last week (I had to come in for an early morning meeting) and had to call in again.(this by far was my worst recation ever, I'm still not feeling very well from it...) Yet, my boss does not seem to understand what a big issue this is for me. I'm annoyed as well because he found out that one of his bakers had an allergy to flour, and put him up in the coffee bar in the morning, like the flour is going to stay away from there. java script:emoticon('')

So my point is this-

Actually, I guess it is a question-

how would you handel this? I have asked around and nobody else really seems to be hiring right now.... Should I talk with his boss and squeeze my way into another department???? Do I have a legal right to demand to be out of there right now?

[Nadtorious]

Were you formally diagnosed by a doctor or self diagnosed? If an m.d. diagnosed you, go to him/her, explain the situation, and have them write a letter to your employer stating the seriousness of the situation. I get my doctor to do that and I no longer have to cook at work, plus they provide me with face shields to wear if someone is baking. Employers will usually listen up once a doctor is involved.

Peace

Nadia

[Carriefaith]

First of all, I'm sorry that you are getting sick at work And I agree with Nadia, I think that they will smarten up once a doctor is involved. Good luck.

[tarnalberry]

First, that is the cutest picture ever! (I have a maroon-bellied conure, myself, and had thought about getting an african grey, but they were out of my pricerange at the time.)

Second, yes, talk to your doctor about getting a note to your supervisor. If that doesn't work, talk to your boss' boss, and work your way up. If you're in a chain (it sounded like a grocery store), talk to corporate HR. They do have to make reasonable accomodations for you, but I can't tell you what "reasonable" will be in this situation.

[Rachel--24]

I work in a grocery store and my doctor wrote me a note saying that I couldnt be around flour due to immune response to gluten or something like that. Anyways my work was more than accommadating and they knew I was sick...I had been off 2 years. I didnt work in the bakery but my office was right next to the bakery. I now have a diferent position in the store and it was never an issue. I think a note from the doctor will make the situation more "real" for your boss.

[Rachel--24]

First, that is the cutest picture ever!  (I have a maroon-bellied conure, myself, and had thought about getting an african grey, but they were out of my pricerange at the time.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah it is a cute pic! I have a Sun Conure. She's alot smaller than your African Grey.

[princessfuzzball]

Thanks for your replies.

I held off getting offically diagnosed by a doctor because of inscurance issues, ect...

I'm sure however, I can get a note from the doctor... it might just be time to talk to the store manager.

Thanks again!

[celiachap]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your trouble at work.

I've had problems with employers my whole life. My suggestion about what you might try to do to get sympathy and action would be funny, and true, but it will get me banned for being PI, lol! Suffice to say it would involve sort-of "disguising" yourself. 'Nuff said.

[Billygoat]

I hope it doesn't sound too insensitive, but here goes...

WE are all in charge of our own destiny.

I'll say it again...

WE are all in charge of our own destiny.

Do what you can do to get your boss to take you seriously. Get a doctor's note, whatever. But don't be surprised if your boss or his superiors, shrug, and toss the note aside. Why? Because as celiacs, it's OUR own responsibility to take care of ourselves...not anyone else's.

So my advice is get your doc's note, but start sprucing up your resume and start hitting the sidewalks and Monster. Only YOU are in complete control of the situation. Don't wait on someone to make it easier for you. Take the bull by the horns and run with your life. Who knows? This might be the chance of a lifetime to land a job that really makes your clock tick!!!

Best,

Andi