My boss keeps commenting on how often I go to the bathroom, my other bosses know about my crohns. He's commented on this once to me and 3 or 4 other times to co-workers, what do I do?
Absolutely not!
A bathroom break is a human right, even so. How can u prevent people from going to the toilet?
Here in Australia, everyone is entitled to feel safe and supported at work. Employers have to provide bathroom facilities, a rest place for lunch hours and facilities to either make or buy tea/coffee, it's workplace rights. Your employer obviously hasn't had a good bout of diarrea lately, (not to sound purposely crude) but only us crohnnies get that ours is an invisible illness that is not obvious to others, so I find I literally have to say, if I don't go to the bathroom I have no way to prevent it still happening! I find that opens alot of doors. I no longer care what people think, those u need will stick by u anyway!
Sep 29, 2011
toilet breaks by: Anonymous
Hi i have noticed that my boss has been timing myself and colleagues toilet breaks, and i was wondering if he was allowed to do this?
Aug 29, 2011
toilet time by: richard
hi, i am from the uk and we have lei=gislation in place to help peaople with longer term health issues in the uk it is the DDA or Disability Discrimination Act, you will mostlikely have law that covers discrimination in your home country
Jul 16, 2011
Re: boss issues by: Anonymous
Thanks lydia. There's a similar program at my uni. They have an equity and disability advisor who is a wonderwoman. I pick my timetable earlier than everyone and am separate for exams with no time lost if I take toilet breaks. This service is available to anyone on campus with issues that may effect thier studies. Its a great program. I have noticed the increased awareness here ( in australia) with the national crohns and colitis association launching the cant wait campaign with ads on tv airing regularly. To raise funds and awareness about crohns because even with the 145 000 Aussies that have it... Many are still ignorant. And though I don't let my disease define me... It's a big part of who I am now.. And I need to make sure I'm healthy.
Alessia
Jul 13, 2011
Boss issues by: Anonymous
Good luck with your studies and your new job hunting. You're right, nobody should put up with being bullied and, unfortunately, sick people are easy targets.
I was watching a documentary on preimplantation diagnostics (PID, gene screening and deselection of in vitro fertilised eggs) and thought "shame that they can't do that for Crohn's. It would have saved me a lot of heartache."
I had two major ops and a minor op and was taking over 20 tablets a day when I was studying business administration. Needless to say, I had to take a very long break in the middle of it all, but I did get it in the end. The Uni was very good about it. I sent them blurb from my doctor and they treated me very well. I was allowed to take my exams separately and eat all the way through. I think that it had a lot to do with the fact that the head of faculty had a niece with Crohn's.
Lydia D.
Jul 13, 2011
Re. Boss Issues by: AleM
Believe me that is not my chosen career. I'm at uni studying education, food technology and textile technology. That was just my casual job. As it turns out my new job, the manager there turned out worse... I told him about my crohns and said that until I got used to the fast pace of the restaurant that I couldn't do two shifts in a row. And after working Friday and exhausting myself he called me at 5pm sat to ask me to work at 6pm.. And when I said no. His attitude towards me totally changed.. Sunday night he yelled at me and made me sweep the floors for an hour during busy service. All the while ensuring he made me feel small and stupid. Suffice to say my stomach was so upset that on tuesday I called and resigned. No job is worth feeling small, and humiliated. And no one has the right to do that. I have had enough with hospitality for now and I'm going to find a job in retail, less strenuous and pays more :)
Jul 13, 2011
Boss issues by: Lydia D.
It can be very difficult with bosses and I empathise. Being upfront can sometimes be very helpful and sometimes not. It is my experience that healthy people find it very difficult to understand what it is like to be ill all the time. It will be an ongoing challenge for the rest of your life.
As most healthy people think that Crohn's is just a spot of diarrhoea, this may help you communicate the disease to others: http://www.crohns.org/congress/submission00/appendix4.htm
You have a very strenuous job and, yes, you may have to rethink your career in the long term.
I hope that all goes well with the new team.
Lydia D.
Jul 09, 2011
Re: boss issues by: AleM
Thanks guys, the restaurant I was working for ended up selling and the new Managers I have know I have crohns and so far so good no complaints... Though it's a much busier restaurant and i am wondering if my health can take it!
Jul 08, 2011
boss issues with crohns by: Anonymous
go to your HR dept tell them you have crohns. Get FMLA papers filled out by your doctor. this will help protect you when you have to be out with the crohns. you may need to ask about social security disability if you cannot work
May 05, 2011
BATHROOM by: Anonymous
I would tell your boss you have Crohn's disease. They like most people probably don't even know what the disease is. I would tell them it involves the colon and that you don't have the ability that he/they have and probably takes for granted on when you have to go to the bathroom.
If your job is in jeopardy you may have to get a note from your doctor. Hopefully your bosses are not that ignorant.
