My job description just changed and I am MAJORLY freaking out!!!
- Thread starter Californiablonde
- Start date
GoingNorth
Crazy Cat Lady
Donna's right, CB. Please do document each incident and take copious notes. That info, reported anonymously, may help the students as well.
GoingNorth
Crazy Cat Lady
Civil service is state and county jobs as well. I worked state civil service many years ago, and worked as a federal contractor for several years, meaning I did the same work as a fed civil servant without the benefits of being civil service.
But, as Donna said, if CB were civil service, she'd know it.
But, as Donna said, if CB were civil service, she'd know it.
donna723
Well-Known Member
... or State jobs. Most State jobs here come under Civil Service. It's a system that's supposed to insure that jobs are awarded fairly to the most qualified candidate. You take an exam (or are rated on experience, education and qualifications), then your name and score go on a job register. You have to be on this register to interview for the job if there is an opening. The system has it's faults but it does provide some protection if there are problems.
GoingNorth
Crazy Cat Lady
Yes, they opened testing for a list of positions that they anticipated openings for. Based on my test scores combined with added points for prior experience and education, I was placed on an interview list for when those openings became available. I was then interviewed and interviewed and interviewed....and eventually hired.
Luckily, I very nearly aced the actual Civil Service exam as I was competing against individuals who had preferences for military service, military disabilities, etc.
My late husband very nearly wound up working for the State of IL department of Corrections fresh out of the Army based on a combination of test scores and preferences due to his being a disabled vet. He was not able to pass the pre-placement physical. In retrospect, I am glad he didn't. Not because he was ill, but because it gave him the reason he needed to follow his dreams and become a chef courtesy of the GI Bill.
Luckily, I very nearly aced the actual Civil Service exam as I was competing against individuals who had preferences for military service, military disabilities, etc.
My late husband very nearly wound up working for the State of IL department of Corrections fresh out of the Army based on a combination of test scores and preferences due to his being a disabled vet. He was not able to pass the pre-placement physical. In retrospect, I am glad he didn't. Not because he was ill, but because it gave him the reason he needed to follow his dreams and become a chef courtesy of the GI Bill.
Californiablonde
Well-Known Member
Well guess what? My supervisor, my new boss and I had a meeting yesterday to discuss how things are going. My supervisor agrees with my boss. She thinks the emergency contacts should be called with every absence. I was hoping things would change, but it looks like not any time soon. I need to find another job ASAP.
KTMom91
Well-Known Member
Speaking both as a parent of a difficult child and as a teacher, I think that calling the emergency contacts is a huge waste of time. If I was getting calls on my stepsons, who did not live with us, every time they missed school, I'd be chewing someone's ear off for interrupting my day with something I could not do anything about. I have a feeling you're going to have a whole lot of ticked off people on your hands. Refer them to your supervisor with their complaints. Or the vice principal.
As a teacher, I understand the school wants the ADA. But I think they're going about it in the wrong way.
As a teacher, I understand the school wants the ADA. But I think they're going about it in the wrong way.
Copabanana
Well-Known Member
What your boss is doing sounds almost illegal.
CB, have you applied for Social Security Disability or SSI. My son has similar symptoms and he got it the first time. I believe the children under 18 might qualify too based upon their own disabilities and as your dependents.
You are protected under the law if you cannot do your job due to symptoms of a mental illness. If your job makes you sicker you might qualify for workers compensation. You could probably get more than you make.
Do not walk out. You have important protections under the law. What your supervisors are doing is called harassment. As others say, document everything. If you feel you cannot to it any more, tell them you are ill and need to go to the doctor. Ask the doctor for a work note for time off, and tell your workplace you need to file a workers compensation claim. They cannot deny you this, at least in my own state they cannot.
They cannot fire you for filing a claim and they cannot discriminate. They have to adjust your workload so that you can handle it.
If you got SSI you would be able to work, too, if you were able. In my State you can earn about seventeen hundred dollars without it counting against your SSI check.
They are cruel because they think they can get away with it. They think because you need the job and may be afraid, they can do whatever they want.
They can only so so if you let them. I hate them for doing this. But you must find it in yourself to protect yourself and your children, by being proactive.
I know what it is to be overwhelmed. When I was in college I worked as a waitress. I was assigned an upstairs dining room. I had to carry big round trays with dinner for 6 or 8 people on my shoulder up the stairs. It was so busy one night. I must have had 15 large tables.
I was beside myself. I walked right out the door. With the checks for all of those tables in my apron pocket. Right out. And got into my car and drove away. Without those checks with the ordered food, nobody knew what to charge the people. And the drinks. How did they determine how many drinks each table had? I did go back to work but I was too embarrassed to ask how they handled the mess I left. That was about 45 years ago. I will never forget it.
You have options. Try to not be afraid.
That man is a very bad man. He will be in trouble soon. Sooner or later. Look up Workers Compensation and SSI. See if you want to consider these as possible options.
Other people will chime in too.
COPA
PS It sounds like your boss is running scared and is ganging up with the boss against you, to save her own behind. What a whuss. She will get in trouble too, I hope
CB, have you applied for Social Security Disability or SSI. My son has similar symptoms and he got it the first time. I believe the children under 18 might qualify too based upon their own disabilities and as your dependents.
You are protected under the law if you cannot do your job due to symptoms of a mental illness. If your job makes you sicker you might qualify for workers compensation. You could probably get more than you make.
Do not walk out. You have important protections under the law. What your supervisors are doing is called harassment. As others say, document everything. If you feel you cannot to it any more, tell them you are ill and need to go to the doctor. Ask the doctor for a work note for time off, and tell your workplace you need to file a workers compensation claim. They cannot deny you this, at least in my own state they cannot.
They cannot fire you for filing a claim and they cannot discriminate. They have to adjust your workload so that you can handle it.
If you got SSI you would be able to work, too, if you were able. In my State you can earn about seventeen hundred dollars without it counting against your SSI check.
They are cruel because they think they can get away with it. They think because you need the job and may be afraid, they can do whatever they want.
They can only so so if you let them. I hate them for doing this. But you must find it in yourself to protect yourself and your children, by being proactive.
I know what it is to be overwhelmed. When I was in college I worked as a waitress. I was assigned an upstairs dining room. I had to carry big round trays with dinner for 6 or 8 people on my shoulder up the stairs. It was so busy one night. I must have had 15 large tables.
I was beside myself. I walked right out the door. With the checks for all of those tables in my apron pocket. Right out. And got into my car and drove away. Without those checks with the ordered food, nobody knew what to charge the people. And the drinks. How did they determine how many drinks each table had? I did go back to work but I was too embarrassed to ask how they handled the mess I left. That was about 45 years ago. I will never forget it.
You have options. Try to not be afraid.
That man is a very bad man. He will be in trouble soon. Sooner or later. Look up Workers Compensation and SSI. See if you want to consider these as possible options.
Other people will chime in too.
COPA
PS It sounds like your boss is running scared and is ganging up with the boss against you, to save her own behind. What a whuss. She will get in trouble too, I hope
Feeling Sad
Well-Known Member
You need to go to the district office to see what benefits you have. Say that you want to make sure of your coverage in case you become ill or disabled down the line.
Do not tell them anything.
First, if you are part time, you might not have good coversge. If you have not worked there for a long time, you might also have a small amount.
Yes, they cannot fire you. But, they can 'trump' up something else and say that it was an issue with your performance or compliancy.
I have friends that have coverage, while others don't at the district.
I am now full time ftor the last 15 years. I pay extra to go above the normal coverage for disability. I knew, as a teacher, about my brain tumor...they did not, yet.
My friend had worked as an instructional aide for 20 years at the same school. She went off for disbility for a year. She had to fight the district to come back.
I took a Title I job for the district. You have to be highly qualified, but you receive no benefits or retirement because they give you 19 3/4 hours per week...just under 20. Also, it is federally funded.
I did this for 10 years because my youngest son was seeing triple and I got off a bit earlier and could see specialists. I also worked almost full time, with a 15 minute unpaid lunch. I did a class before school each day and left 15 minutes before dismissal. I worked way over my hours...without more pay. Our school worked longer hours than other Title I schools in the same district and we're told that we could not fight it because we had to work around the school's schedule.
We got paid half of the hourly wage for substitutes. We were told that if we fought it, that we would be let go because they could no longer afford us. Title I is federally funded so you had no tenure or benefits. You were hired year to year.
We fought it and our pay was doubled AND we all kept our jobs.
Do you have a Union?
I would look for another job in private. There might be something at the district where you would work under someone else. Or in the private sector.
Check into state disability and see if the accrued time on your other jobs that you have had in the past and this job or hours would afford you a decent monthly pay. Then SSI could be a way to go.
This job is causing you to get worse. It sounds extremely stressful. Look for another job. The stress is horrible for your health.
Even as a tenured teacher, the district can make your life miserable.
Take care.
Do not tell them anything.
First, if you are part time, you might not have good coversge. If you have not worked there for a long time, you might also have a small amount.
Yes, they cannot fire you. But, they can 'trump' up something else and say that it was an issue with your performance or compliancy.
I have friends that have coverage, while others don't at the district.
I am now full time ftor the last 15 years. I pay extra to go above the normal coverage for disability. I knew, as a teacher, about my brain tumor...they did not, yet.
My friend had worked as an instructional aide for 20 years at the same school. She went off for disbility for a year. She had to fight the district to come back.
I took a Title I job for the district. You have to be highly qualified, but you receive no benefits or retirement because they give you 19 3/4 hours per week...just under 20. Also, it is federally funded.
I did this for 10 years because my youngest son was seeing triple and I got off a bit earlier and could see specialists. I also worked almost full time, with a 15 minute unpaid lunch. I did a class before school each day and left 15 minutes before dismissal. I worked way over my hours...without more pay. Our school worked longer hours than other Title I schools in the same district and we're told that we could not fight it because we had to work around the school's schedule.
We got paid half of the hourly wage for substitutes. We were told that if we fought it, that we would be let go because they could no longer afford us. Title I is federally funded so you had no tenure or benefits. You were hired year to year.
We fought it and our pay was doubled AND we all kept our jobs.
Do you have a Union?
I would look for another job in private. There might be something at the district where you would work under someone else. Or in the private sector.
Check into state disability and see if the accrued time on your other jobs that you have had in the past and this job or hours would afford you a decent monthly pay. Then SSI could be a way to go.
This job is causing you to get worse. It sounds extremely stressful. Look for another job. The stress is horrible for your health.
Even as a tenured teacher, the district can make your life miserable.
Take care.
Feeling Sad
Well-Known Member
When I had my brain surgery as a full time teacher, I was not yet permanent. It was during my second 'full time' year. I had surgery during the Winter Break so I would not have to be out as long.
I was told by my doctor that I could lose my memory or be paralyzed on the right side. They found it in July and I waited, with extreme worry so I did not have to be out that long. It was stupid of me. The district was never grateful.
I was out 4 weeks of school and returned. The doctors wanted me to return.
First, the district shortchanged me on my pay whole I was out. A fellow teacher friend at the school noticed it and fought for me for several months for my pay. She won.
When I returned, I performed all of my duties...except one. I team taught with another teacher. I could not go out for P.E. because I had been hit in the head by a stray ball before. With a freshly planted titanium plate in place, I would die.
That teacher who I teamed with complained to the principal. The principal told me that I needed to take my class out that day or I would be found to be noncompliant. I called and called my doctor, but he was out.
I had not told my students about the nature of my surgery, nor did I ever. I did not want them to worry. But, that day I asked the biggest boy in class if I could borrow his bike helmet. I just told the class that I "had an accident" and needed to wear it.
I marched out onto the playground, feeling foolish and very scared...but I did it. I was "compliant".
The following day, my neurologist wrote a scathing and legally threatening letter to my principal And the district.
My friend, who had helped me before, came to my aid again. On my 2 P.E. days a week, she chose the 2 most well-behaved students in her 5th grade class to be peer coaches. They came out with me. I stood at ALL times with my back to a wall so that a stray ball could not hit me from behind. Her students behaved better in class to be chosen...and thus get out of school work. It was a win/win situation!
I was now "compliant"!!!
I was told by my doctor that I could lose my memory or be paralyzed on the right side. They found it in July and I waited, with extreme worry so I did not have to be out that long. It was stupid of me. The district was never grateful.
I was out 4 weeks of school and returned. The doctors wanted me to return.
First, the district shortchanged me on my pay whole I was out. A fellow teacher friend at the school noticed it and fought for me for several months for my pay. She won.
When I returned, I performed all of my duties...except one. I team taught with another teacher. I could not go out for P.E. because I had been hit in the head by a stray ball before. With a freshly planted titanium plate in place, I would die.
That teacher who I teamed with complained to the principal. The principal told me that I needed to take my class out that day or I would be found to be noncompliant. I called and called my doctor, but he was out.
I had not told my students about the nature of my surgery, nor did I ever. I did not want them to worry. But, that day I asked the biggest boy in class if I could borrow his bike helmet. I just told the class that I "had an accident" and needed to wear it.
I marched out onto the playground, feeling foolish and very scared...but I did it. I was "compliant".
The following day, my neurologist wrote a scathing and legally threatening letter to my principal And the district.
My friend, who had helped me before, came to my aid again. On my 2 P.E. days a week, she chose the 2 most well-behaved students in her 5th grade class to be peer coaches. They came out with me. I stood at ALL times with my back to a wall so that a stray ball could not hit me from behind. Her students behaved better in class to be chosen...and thus get out of school work. It was a win/win situation!
I was now "compliant"!!!
Copabanana
Well-Known Member
SSI is not dependent upon a record of prior earnings. It is based upon whether or not your condition is severe enough to make it difficult for you to work, and is likely to be permanent. I do not know the specific language but it amounts to that. You can google it.
I agree with every word that Feeling Sad says.
I will add one thing: I hate them for what they do.
GoingNorth
Crazy Cat Lady
It's SSDI. NOT SSI. SSDI is for disabled workers who have paid FICA taxes for a specified amount of time.
SSI is basically "welfare" for the disabled and is for those who have not worked or have not worked enough to qualify for SSDI.
The issue with SSDI is that CB would need to be out of the workforce for a year.
It's also NOT going to be enough to live on in CA. I do think this is an attempt to force CB out.
CB, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, quit this job before you have another in hand. If they terminate you, make sure it isn't for cause. Let them pay you unemployment if they can you.
What you do for a living qualifies you for a myriad of customer service jobs. The problem, as I see it, is that most, if not all of them, will require phone work to at least some degree.
SSI is basically "welfare" for the disabled and is for those who have not worked or have not worked enough to qualify for SSDI.
The issue with SSDI is that CB would need to be out of the workforce for a year.
It's also NOT going to be enough to live on in CA. I do think this is an attempt to force CB out.
CB, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, quit this job before you have another in hand. If they terminate you, make sure it isn't for cause. Let them pay you unemployment if they can you.
What you do for a living qualifies you for a myriad of customer service jobs. The problem, as I see it, is that most, if not all of them, will require phone work to at least some degree.
Copabanana
Well-Known Member
Feeling Sad, your friend is a true hero. I have never had a friend that would go to bad for me like that.
You could publish that story. What brilliant thinking. First the helmet and then the peer monitors. And the wall. And then the neurologist writes the scathing letter.
And the evil teacher who complained.
Compelling narrative. Dramatic suspense. The heroine is saved.
Yeah, for you and your friend. Boo for the bully bosses.
Feeling Sad
Well-Known Member
I think that you receive more money each month the longer years of work you have accrued in total in your life. Yes, you will qualify, but I think that the monthly amount might be different.
SDI is done differently. My brother has been on both. I do not know the specifics. Research ALL of the angles...
SDI is done differently. My brother has been on both. I do not know the specifics. Research ALL of the angles...
Feeling Sad
Well-Known Member
I agree...do not quit your job. They would love it if they did not have to pay you unemployment. Look for another job WHILE you continue to work. That is what I meant before.
Yes, SSI and SSDI have different specifications. Do your research. Do not talk about anything at your job.
Yes, SSI and SSDI have different specifications. Do your research. Do not talk about anything at your job.
Copabanana
Well-Known Member
I hope this is not it, but I agree.
There may be a loophole for unemployment, if it is still in effect. I am basing it on the laws of my own state, so it needs to be verified with your own.
Here it is based upon the separation issue for why you terminated your last job. The last job could be for 1 hour. That is the employer who is contacted to verify why you left there. So, what people used to do if they quit or were fired for cause: get a temp job of a couple of hours or days. That would be their last employer.
The benefits would still be based on earnings during the base period which would be a year in the recent past, exactly which months, based upon the laws of your state.
The benefit amount you get is based upon the base period. That would be the School District. The base period is calculated here in my state by going back approximately 6 months and using the prior year.
Feeling gave you excellent information.
Almost all of us have been in the situation in which you find yourself once or more in our lives. You are handling it, but you do not have to handle it indefinitely.
I agree with Feeling: It is very hard on you. It is bad for your health.
These are the possible options (everything here needs to be verified and not taken at face value. Benefits available differ from State to State and rules change, over time):
--Unemployment Insurance, if you are terminated or laid off.
--Disability Insurance--State
--SSDI, if you have the work history to qualify. (Federal, through Social Security office.)
--SSI--Federal. You do not have to have sufficient work credits. (Social Security)
--Workers Compensation (which is for a work related injury. It is a possibility, because the initial condition can be preexisting, if it is exacerbated by the job. Apply at your work place, after you have verified you have eligibility and you have gotten a letter from your doctor.)
Good Luck. We are with you.
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Feeling Sad
Well-Known Member
Thank you, Copa. I can't tell you how embarrassing it was to wear the helmet. But, I thought...if she wants compliant... I would give her compliant!
I made it a 'game' with my students. Inside, very deep, I felt proud of myself.
The principal had told me that if I returned to work, that I would HAVE to perform all of my duties...including PE. Me...1...district...0.
I made it a 'game' with my students. Inside, very deep, I felt proud of myself.
The principal had told me that if I returned to work, that I would HAVE to perform all of my duties...including PE. Me...1...district...0.
Copabanana
Well-Known Member
The thing is this, about the monthly benefit: (I am speaking here about SSI, for example) They allow work. Up to about $1700 in earnings are allowed each month, and it will not affect the benefit. And I believe the minor children might qualify for aid, too, either through the County or federally.
Even if the benefit seems low, if the ability to earn is factored in, while collecting the benefit, it can be a livable amount, depending upon where you live.
Even if the benefit seems low, if the ability to earn is factored in, while collecting the benefit, it can be a livable amount, depending upon where you live.
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