My letter to Human Resources!

Well, here's my first draft of the letter to Human Resources.  I hate doing this.  And I have to fight not to give them TOO much information... how much is enough?

______________________________________

XXXXXX (Employer's name)
May 7th, 2009
Human Resources Department

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in June of 2007.  My condition adversely affects my job performance.  I am currently on medication to help me function more effectively in my current position, as well as medication to help me control my disease.  However, without that medication, I would not be able to do my job as well.

I want to do everything I can to continue to contribute effectively as an employee.  My concern is that I could lose my job, or get a poor job evaluation, because of my condition.  

At this point in time, I don’t require any special accommodations.  My working conditions
are satisfactory, and my current job position utilizes my abilities quite well.  I will notify the Human Resources Department if those factors change.

Please let me know if you require any documentation from my neurologist or primary care physician.

XXXXXX (my name)
Spec Artist, XXXXXX (Employer's name)
x7414

[Fluffysmom]

Looks clear and succinct to me.  Well done.  

I'm not sure about the sentence that begins with "My concern is.."  I think you could leave it out.  It is implicit that you should not lose your job or get a poor evaluation because of your condition once that they are made aware of your condition.

Human Resources will know that in a heartbeat, what the laws are, and should make sure that your bosses have a refresher course, if needed.

Just my two cents, you've already done a good job.

Kathy

[PastorDan]

I agree with Kathy, unless you happen to have the same clowns in your HR dept. as does my weekday employer.  My latest example, quoted from an e-mail I received about a week ago: "Because your wife has passed away, this is not considered a serious illness."  Yes, he really wrote that.  There are some paper pushing bureaucrats who give the rest of us a bad name.

[essdipity]

Could you explain why you're writing this? I guess I've missed something here, but it doesn't sound like something I'd write unless my back was up against a wall.

Also, I'd *never* say that my MS is adversely affecting job performance. I might say I'm doing everything to keep it from that affect. In fact, I'd make the whole thing very positive, just as an informational communication.

Don't give them something in writing that they could later use against you.

ess

[sllowe]

Like Essy, I'm leery too about putting something in writing.....

I have more thoughts on the ltr. (i.e., coming from the Dr. so it doesn't include how you are feeling - just a simple clinical statement) if you still want to go thru with it....but will reserve until after you get back with us...
ttys,
shell

[jensequitur]

I suppose I should have said what the letter was for!  I took two weeks off from taking Aricept, just to see if I was doing any better, and I had a couple of errors in my work in that time period.  I was called in the office and reprimanded.  

It made me realize that without Aricept, I wasn't going to be able to do my job as well.  I have some other symptoms, including fatigue and myoclonus, which I would rather not exhibit at work - so I take sick time.  If I have another flare, I'm going to be in a situation where I might have to take short-term disability - now I'm out of sick time, and running out of vacation time.  

So my employer needs to be notified of my condition.  NMSS recommends that you notify your Human Resources department first, depending upon how your employer is organized.

Really it's just a question of how much I need to reveal to HR.  NMSS says that you're not even required to reveal that you have MS - just that you have a neurological condition.  But personally, I would prefer that my immediate supervisor understands what's going on.

[essdipity]

Okay, thanks for that clarification. But I still advise not saying that your performance has been less than par Acentuate that you're doing everything you can to do the best job possible. That's very true, I know.

ess

[jensequitur]

Some very good points made, guys - thanks! Here's the 2nd draft of the letter...

XXXXXX (Employer's name)
May 7th, 2009
Human Resources Department

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in June of 2007.  I'm notifying my employer officially, as my condition could adversely affect my job performance.  I am currently on medication to help me function more effectively in my current position, as well as medication to help me control my disease.

I want to do everything I can to continue to contribute effectively as an employee.  At this point in time, I don’t require any special accommodations.  My working conditions
are satisfactory, and my current job position utilizes my abilities quite well.  I will notify the Human Resources Department if those factors change.

Please let me know if you require any documentation from my neurologist or primary care physician.

XXXXXX (my name)
Spec Artist, XXXXXX (Employer's name)
x7414

[biowham]

Just a couple of comments--

Can you say "as my condition could affect my job performance" and leave out "adversely"?

Are you sure that you do not need any accommodations? We make 504 accommodations for our students all the time, and they include more time to accomplish assignments and tests, special areas for doing work, notetaking from other students or tape recording, etc. If you're having a problem tracking errors and errors are not *specifically* in your job description (i.e., you're not an editor), an accommodation might be a second set of eyes for your work OR an opportunity to be notified of errors and repair them before you are "reprimanded." That's one kind of accommodation we make for students at our university, and it's under 504, so it ought to apply to you, too? Dunno.

Of course, if your job involves catching errors (as mine does, too), forget all the above and stick with that Aricept. One of my greatest fears right now is that I'll lose my current livelihood because cog fog, etc., will undermine my abilities and lead me to overlook details.

One last thing--do you want to name drop section 504, as in, "In keeping with the spirit and intent of Section 504 and ADA, I wanted to confirm that as of this time, I do not require special accommodations and that my current working conditions are satisfactory. I will apprise you of any changes that arise in that regard."

Bio

[jensequitur]

Good point, bio - I don't need to be too negative here, or paint circumstances as dire.  I just want to make sure they understand...

I hadn't thought about it, but yeah, I do have problems with seeing details - my reprimand was because I had missed an instruction on a project.  It was written clearly, but for some reason, I just didn't see it.  With Aricept, the problem doesn't go away, but it does get better.  I don't know how much there is in the way of accomodation for me.  We've been told that we're supposed to have other people checking our work, but in a crunch, it gets difficult to find somebody.

[biowham]

I don't know how far they're required to go, either, but it sounds like kind of systematic reinforcemnent--written + verbal instructions, for example--might be in order. Anyway...your letter is short and sweet and to the point, and that's good for now.

Bio

[Quixotic1]

I am also concerned that you not use the words "adversely affect my job performance."  I would advise that you leave out those very damning words and try something like:

example: "There are times when this condition might make it more difficult to perform my duties as rapidly as usual.  During these times I might need to work more slowly or work on fewer tasks at a time, in order to maintain accuracy."

The fact that you already have been written up tells us that there is some danger.  I feel this should be covered immediately.  In my mind the "write up" is the employer's preparation for (possible) later termination.  They may tell you that it is for your benefit, but it rarely is.  Your benefit here, is knowing that you need to prepare yourself and protect yourself by invoking the protection of the law.  That is the VERY purpose of the ADA.

From the legal standpoint, I do not think that you should imply a promise that you do not need accommodation.  This is the time to put them on notice that you would like to discuss the kind of accommodations you might need.  Once you have reported your concerns and discussed the few accomodations you might need, you are on much steadier ground.  And I think you are on better ground by asking for some very simple accommodation.

Boy, we all have opinions, don't we?

Quix

[jensequitur]

That's why I'm asking - I've never done this before, so I want to hear all the opinions I can... everybody's made some very good points!  

I think you're right about the 'adversely' bit - I've taken that out, and replaced it with 'affect my job performance.'  I'm still trying to figure out how to word my request for accomodation.  Maybe "At this time I do not require special accomodation for my condition, but I may require some in the future.  I will notify Human Resources when this situation changes..."

[PastorDan]

That seems to capture what I sensed at least Quix & Bio are saying.  Good job.  Your path is paved with our prayers.

[Amyloo]

My two cents:  put in Quix's "example" and remove any and all references to "MS may affect your job performance."

[jensequitur]

Well, here's the final draft - I haven't given this to anybody yet...  I'm still nitpicking at it.

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in June of 2007.  I'm notifying my employer officially, as my condition could affect my job performance.  There are times when this condition might make it more difficult to perform my duties as rapidly as usual.  During these times I might need to work more slowly or work on fewer tasks at a time, in order to maintain accuracy.  I am currently on medication to help me function more effectively in my current position, as well as medication to help me control my disease.

I want to do everything I can to continue to contribute effectively as an employee.  At this point in time, I don’t require any special accommodations.  If my condition worsens, that may change.  My working conditions are satisfactory, and my current job position utilizes my abilities quite well.  I will notify the Human Resources Department if those factors change.

Please let me know if you require any documentation from my neurologist or primary care physician.

[Quixotic1]

Looks good to me!

Q