I am on disability leave from my job right now because I have chronic daily migraines. I've been out of work for over 6 months now. I am so bored, but I can't perform my job duties as stated with my employer because of my migraines. SO...I am getting ready to ask for accommodation and/or look for a new job that will have an easier time accommodating my situation.
Through my searches online, I've found some helpful information regarding the American Disabilities Act, but the hardest part is answering the question for myself "What limitations am I experiencing and what accommodations are reasonable/available to mitigate these limitations?"
I've never defined myself as a disabled person with limitations. Even typing that statement is really hard. But I have to get busy living here and need some accommodation in order to do that. Here is my list of things that I feel I need to get back to work in a reasonable timeframe:
1) Reduced glare screen and a flat panel LED monitor.
2) Ability to have natural light and no flourescents.
3) Scent-free or ability to remove myself from a workspace with pungent or strong frangance.
4) Limited noise environment and ability to listen to soothing music (can be with earphones).
5) Ability to leave work or miss work (either using benefit time or unpaid time as needed) when migraine is too severe to function. This will sometimes be for an entire day or possibly more depending on the migraine severity.
6) Ability to telecommute when possible if staying home with migraine.
7) Ergonomic friendly workstation to reduce stress on neck and back including supportive chair, headset, feet support and keyboard/monitor at proper heights for my build.
In return I will provide:
1) Committment to be the most dedicated and loyal employee I can be.
2) Pledge to not abuse my migraine condition for personal gain.
3) Documentation from my health care providers and specialists as needed to support and further define my accomodation requests.
I have an interview with a new company today and look at it as "practice" talking about these things with employers. Talking with my current employer is too intimidating as I fear discrimination coming back from my leave of absence. If this new job works out - great. If not, I will be better prepared the next time and might be ready to broach the subject with my current employer...
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1 comment:
This is complicated for me. I was just forced to leave my position at work because I had missed work for my migraines. I have a hard time believing anyone would be willing to accommodate to a person with persistent migraines. I get 2-3 migraines a week and I have not gotten to a point where I can function at work. I was told that my absences were unacceptable and I needed to make a decision. I think there is a lack of understanding about how debilitating migraines are and how serious they are. The worst part is that people who have never had a migraine associate their worst headache with a migraine, which is safe to assume is not close to what migraine feels like. I have to look on the bright side and see this as a time that I can focus on my health and maybe I have learned what type of working environment I need. But I did not know that migraines are covered by the disabilities act.
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