[humanser] Work Woes

[Τατιάνα Νησιώτη]

Indeed! An inspirational example on how we all should claim for professional rights.

Από το iPhone μου

31 Ιουλ 2012, 2:16 π.μ., ο/η "Quinto Sanchez" <sanchezq at prodigy.net> έγραψε:

> JD, good job. You won one for the Blind-team.
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "JD Townsend" <43210 at Bellsouth.net>
> Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 4:04 PM
> To: <edward.hersh at verizon.net>; <humanser at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [humanser] Work Woes
> 
>> 
>> 
>> Hello,
>> 
>> Lots happening at work over the past several months.  Thought I would bring the list an update.
>> 
>> 
>> I am a Clinical Social Worker and, for the past 10+ years I have been employed in a hospital-based child and adolescent mental health  service.
>> 
>> My employment started out fairly smoothly, but over the past few years things have become more difficult.  I have a variety of blindness tools that have helped me to be one of the most productive workers and enough post-masters training to bring a clinical background to the position.
>> 
>> The problems started when management did not support my efforts to obtain a reader.  Then our once type-written documentation started to be hand-written, including our “to-do” lists.  Then, with a new manager and supervisor, I started to get written disciplinary notes, also hand-written. Three of these leads to disciplinary action such as suspensions and firing.
>> 
>> After the second disciplinary action I went to Human Resources.  Meetings were arranged and my concerns were heard.
>> 
>> I did get a reader assigned.  She did not start as the hospital rules demanded that she pass all sorts of hurdles and she declined to obtain a misdemeanor report from over 20 years ago in another state.  I asked, but did not get another.  My supervisor told me, “I don’t care how you do it, just do it, “referring to chart reviews.
>> 
>> The last straw was a disciplinary write-up for 15 minutes of unauthorized overtime.  My other write-ups were for minor paperwork problems.
>> 
>> Back to HR with no real satisfaction.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> So, an attorney was hired.  He specializes in worker problems of discrimination and knows disability law.  NFB’s legal folks were informed as well.
>> 
>> My attorney wrote a letter to the big wigs at the hospital.  Now all of a sudden my manager and supervisor are my helpful friends.  Apparently despite my white cane and blindness electronics they did not understand that I am blind.
>> 
>> I have a reader and secretarial support.  Management is getting ADA training and I now have a regular reader, a retired teacher.
>> 
>> 
>> The lawyer cost a lot, but the letter was clear and got results.  I am now a happily employed  man again.
>> 
>> 
>> JD Townsend, LCSW
>> Helping the Light Dependent to See.
>> Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System
>> 
>> 
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