So, I work in the IT department of a company and do my job well, but I was getting sick and needed to take medication again for gastritis.
When I was getting sick, I didn’t feel good to work at the office, as the work’s hybrid, instead of WFH, and explained to my boss, but worked normally and made all the work that was asked of me, this happened some times, like 2 times in the last month. I got better after started taking medication again and it never happened again. As I said, I work normally and do my time (now I’m in overtime) as asked and code, just that at the time I couldn’t get to work at the office.
I have the receipts for the medication (gastritis) I bought at the exact time I told my boss I couldn’t get to the office.
But now it seems weird at the office, the boss of my boss doesn’t care, but the boss of them cares a lot and takes people to measure which person is at the office (the work is hybrid, not WFH). My boss told this last week, in a weird way (it seemed steered at me), to my team. And I overheard my boss talking to other people in Teams about taking notes and registering things, I think I heard my name too.
I’m now in another project that the boss of my boss is really needing, and I’m doing a good job, even the senior dev said that he wants to take me and another colleague to the team that handled the project before.
So I’m in a doubled edged sword, it seems I do a good job (and people want to steal me), but I’m being recorded for firing by middle management.
What can I do? I already started looking for new jobs, but I wanted to talk to my boss directly about “things being weird at the office”, not in a rude manner, but wanting to know what is happening.
Hello there!
I am a manager and I have staff that have different medical conditions. If you are in need of any accommodations at your work, check with HR or your boss for any options of alternative work schedules, protected time off, etc. There should be a department within HR if you have enough medical justification to have granted intermittent days off, shortened work hours (all this is “alternative work schedules or accommodations”).
You should have options to ensure your health is a priority and that your time to care for that is protected!!
Join a union and ask for their advice. Even if there’s limitations on what they can do as it seems the process has already started, they’ll still be able to advise on what you’re able to do deal with constructive dismissal.
Look for another job. It’s way easier to find work when you’re in work and don’t have to explain why you’re not at your last job.
Do both of these things. Your health isn’t going to benefit working at a place where you’re not wanted, even if they can’t just fire you.
Oh and if you’re in a country where you’re allowed a representative in meetings and you can take one, always have your union rep there, no matter how friendly it seems.
Joined my union today! Now I have at least a lawyer that can help in any case.
Everyone should be engaged in a union.
It’s a difficult one. Personally I’d get out ahead of it a bit, maybe talk to your direct supervisor. They’ll go to bat for you if you give them the ability to. Ask for a 1-1 with them and simply tell them you’re sorry about it, but that you’re grateful that you have the flexibility to do so, and that just so they know “I had a temporary flare up, but thanks to the quick action of my doctor I’m medicated and shouldn’t be an issue moving forward”.
Personally I’m the same way, and worry everyone is thinking about me all the time. I usually end up bringing this up with my boss, and let him know that I’m always a bit anxious, but I trust that if something is a problem that he’ll bring it up with me, and that I’ll just keep going unless he tells me not to. Usually this clears the air a bit, shows that I’m definitely open to feedback, but that I’m not going to spiral anymore either. Once they did bring something up, but every other time it’s been “Don’t worry, you’re doing great, I’ll let you know if that changes”.
Let’s put it this way, if you find out that you overstepped in some way in a meeting where they’re firing you, they failed you. Firing should be the absolute last option after a long line of chats, one on ones, and finally a PIP or something similar. If a firing is a surprise, your direct manager failed you.
tell them you’re sorry about it, but that you’re grateful that you have the flexibility to do so
What are they supposed to be sorry about?
Thanks for the answer!
I’m going to ask my manager about a one on one, but I’m still scared, as they talked about those things in that manner. But still, I’m going to try!
Yeah, 100% agree that if something like that is happening and no one told me, it’s really bad for them, passive-agressive behaviour from management is not something cool.
Best way to stop passive aggressive behavior is to pull it out into the open. The back channeling cuts down once people are aware of what’s going on. But for you, even if you’re lying to yourself, just assume it didn’t happen, I know I conflate things way worse than what they are. You aren’t doing this regularly, you’ve taken steps to prevent it. We’re human, humans have issues. For a manager they just want to know that it’s taken care of so they have an answer for their boss if it comes up
Thanks for the advise!
Could it be that you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself, or that the job is causing you a lot of stress? This stress might lead to gastritis, either directly or indirectly through unhealthy eating and drinking habits (eg lot of coffee or coffee of bad quality, fatty food like pizza). If that’s the case, being let go from this company might actually give you the opportunity to find a job with much less stress.
Yeah, I think it was stress that made me have the gastritis. Tried a healthy lifestyle, but it always returns when the work gets tough.
You got some great advice already, I just wanted to add that it’s certainly possible you’re reading way too much into this and are anxious about something that amounts to nothing. I agree speaking openly with your supervisor about it is your best route.
Thanks for the advise, I’m going to do this!
Update your linked in to ‘looking’ and start sending out your resume immediately. It’s easier to get a higher paying job if you are currently employed. Also you will have leverage against current employer if anything starts to go down. Lastly, see how your other IT team are feeling, ask them about their salaries and share that with each other. Unionize.
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This is unhelpful. This is advice along the lines of “You broke your leg? Maybe try not breaking it next time.”
If you can afford it; get a lawyer in involved.
If you can’t: pray, if you’re religious
If you’re not: I hope you’re not American and I hope you’re lucky
