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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
employer agreed to resume same job with back pay...how do I handle it?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
employer agreed to resume same job with back pay...how do I handle it?
by paulfromero, May 30, 2005 12:00AM
Hello,
About six months ago (see my last post under same username), I was put on unpaid leave for 'being unsafe to yourself and others' and alledged sexual harrassment of a coworker. After several meetings with management and even a psychiatric evalution, the union on my behalf negotiated that I return to the same job with back pay. My arbitration hearing was scheduled for next month, and I am assuming that my case was strong enough that management did not want to go to a hearing. I conferred with my brother, and we both agree that it is best to agree to the proposed (not yet finalized) agreement to go back to work.
I infer at this time that management just wanted me to 'go away' by their delay of 6 months before bringing me back. I am angry now that despite my not doing anything that remotely could be considered sexual harrasment (although my therapist and several of my 'bay area' born friends and acquantances insist it is) or have I ever gotten 'in someones face' or been violent, or have I have any history of law breaking of any kind, I was put through an upbrupt and painful period which I faced because of my being 'weird' and being 'an outsider' at work.
My psychogist upp'ed my dosage of Seraquel from 50mg a day to 75-100 mg a day, depending on my own judgement. I also take a generic drug for Celexa at the dose of 40 mg a day. These medicines have been a daily staple and a calming source for me for over 3 years. Before them, I was prone to be easily agitated and have confused thinking. Still, even with the medication (my doctor knows about the work situation, too), I am prone to conspiracy theories, but only when the subject relates to people I am close to (co-worker and boss in this example, mother and oldest brother in family disputes).
My question is how do I handle the job situation now that I probably will be going back to work (to a job I want to go back to). I need guidance on whether or not I should request an early start time to 'get back up to speed', to be 'up front' about needed flexibility in my work schedule (for a non-standard time break for religious needs) with my boss, or should I 'lay low' and assume that I can resume my old work habits without prior approval. In short, my union rep. does not want to be a social worker, and I forsee needing to be assertive but fear management will overreact or be looking for an excuse to fire me.
thanks,
Paul
About six months ago (see my last post under same username), I was put on unpaid leave for 'being unsafe to yourself and others' and alledged sexual harrassment of a coworker. After several meetings with management and even a psychiatric evalution, the union on my behalf negotiated that I return to the same job with back pay. My arbitration hearing was scheduled for next month, and I am assuming that my case was strong enough that management did not want to go to a hearing. I conferred with my brother, and we both agree that it is best to agree to the proposed (not yet finalized) agreement to go back to work.
I infer at this time that management just wanted me to 'go away' by their delay of 6 months before bringing me back. I am angry now that despite my not doing anything that remotely could be considered sexual harrasment (although my therapist and several of my 'bay area' born friends and acquantances insist it is) or have I ever gotten 'in someones face' or been violent, or have I have any history of law breaking of any kind, I was put through an upbrupt and painful period which I faced because of my being 'weird' and being 'an outsider' at work.
My psychogist upp'ed my dosage of Seraquel from 50mg a day to 75-100 mg a day, depending on my own judgement. I also take a generic drug for Celexa at the dose of 40 mg a day. These medicines have been a daily staple and a calming source for me for over 3 years. Before them, I was prone to be easily agitated and have confused thinking. Still, even with the medication (my doctor knows about the work situation, too), I am prone to conspiracy theories, but only when the subject relates to people I am close to (co-worker and boss in this example, mother and oldest brother in family disputes).
My question is how do I handle the job situation now that I probably will be going back to work (to a job I want to go back to). I need guidance on whether or not I should request an early start time to 'get back up to speed', to be 'up front' about needed flexibility in my work schedule (for a non-standard time break for religious needs) with my boss, or should I 'lay low' and assume that I can resume my old work habits without prior approval. In short, my union rep. does not want to be a social worker, and I forsee needing to be assertive but fear management will overreact or be looking for an excuse to fire me.
thanks,
Paul
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jun 02, 2005 12:00AM
, Jun 02, 2005 12:00AM
Sharon
paulfromero
Well actually what happened is my union rep. asked me if it would be acceptable to ask for return to work with back pay. Turns out management responded with 'we dont want him back...how much does he want to go away', so they're still negotiating before the hearing. Oh well, I will have to wait for another month to find out my fate.
Paul