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----- Original Message ----- From: Pam Shapley Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 5:55 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: ability to do your job Rees, Thank you so much for your in put. I am in a dilemma about what to do. Yes I do have long term disablility insurance. I have been using my short term insurance because of my broken foot.When I accepted the job I knew I had Parkinson's but did not reveal it. I signed a job duties form saying I was capable of perfroming the stated duties, which at the time I was capable of doing. I have since not hid the fact I have Parkinson''s. I have worked for over a year with no problems. I have more than pulled my weight. I need to work one more year. The problem is do I fight it out for that year and then quit and try to get on S.S. disability? Or do I stay out on disability insurance for a problem not related to my Parkinson's and try at the same time to file for S.S. I understand you are not an expert on employees rights. I guess I am using you as a sounding board to help sort out my thoughts. And by the way the major grocery chain is Wal-Mart and yes they have a whole battery of lawyers to deal with just this sort of things. Thanks again, Pam --- Original Message ----- From: [log in to unmask] Sent: Friday, April 27, 2001 8:01 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: ability to do your job Pam, I'm not an expert in employees' rights, and my job (from which I'm now retired at age 45) was not like yours, but I was surprised to see that you had no "public" answers to your question. Many others have been in your shoes. I'll share what little I know. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects people in certain protected classes (i.e. those who are legally disabled) from employment discrimination. It requires employers to provide REASONABLE accommodations to disabled employees and prospective employees. To be protected by the law, you have to follow its procedure. Your doctor can play a major role by defining what you can and cannot do. That's as far as my knowledge goes. Since your supervisor is already asking questions, you need to get a lawyer NOW. There are certain things you do and do not have to disclose (assuming that you are able to do your job despite your disability). Your answers to their questions are probably being written up somewhere, and they are going to use them to their benefit (a large chain of stores probably has an entire team of lawyers to advise them on how to protect themselves -- you need a lawyer to protect yourself). While you are looking for a lawyer, write down a summary of each conversation you have had at work about your PD, and don't have any more until you've hired your lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, check to see if there is a pubic legal services agency where you live. If there is one, they would probably love to take your case (assuming you qualify for their services). Sorry to sound so negative, but you are really vulnerable right now. I can see your employer saying that they have to demote you because somebody with PD should not work where they have to handle sharp instruments, walk on slippery floors, and even have a lot of stress that "comes with the territory." Also, find out if you are covered by disability insurance. Ask your lawyer to tell you the best way to find out. If you have disability coverage, you're lucky. If your PD progresses to the point where you cannot work, the insurance pays you something to live on. Some employers buy it (all should) just so they don't have to make a choice between what's good for their business and what's good for their employees who become disabled. Good luck. Let me know if I can help further. Rees Jenkins 45/ 42/ 41 Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com<br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn