Not sure.......

[dann]

Am not sure this needs to be here but anyway......work full time, want to keep working. Have worked at same agency for 21 yrs. They are requesting increase in work load now so now are asking me to have neuro go through job description and comment on each item. Think they just want to know can still do job. Any comments as to what I should have my doctor say appropriately as these comments will go back to my works HR dept

[MSW1963]

Contact ADA attorney

dann, that sounds a bit invasive, probing into your private medical info, but I'm not sure it's illegal or violates any Federally protected rights. Although it sounds off the chart in my opinion.

I'm guessing you disclosed your MS to HR. They or someone is knowledgable about MS in general and cognative issues to request that your neuro comment on each item in your job description.

When I requested DI & SSDI forms from my MS specialist guru, he was insulted, like I slapped him in the face, to impose on his time such a trivial task. That was a long time ago and before my dx, from a doc who was not an advocate on my behalf.

I don't know what your relationship is with your doc, but I think most docs would probably respond that your current MS status would not prevent you from fulfillng the items listed in the job description. That's of course assuming you're not experiencing problems.

If HR is asking info about accomodations you might need, that could be crossing the line, and raises a huge red flag. If that's the case, I'd suggest you contact an ADA attorney ASAP.

It's probably a good idea to consult an ADA attorney about this highly unusual request. I've never heard of an HR dept doing this. That's not to say it hasn't happened before.

NMMS is a good resourse for ADA attorneys. Contact your local chapter for a referral. There are other MS agencies that may be of assistance.

[MSW1963]

dann, I'm not letigious by nature, and don't want to alarm you about your job security.

However, in my opinion, the HR request is so unusual and highly suspicious. This could be strategy for something, sometime down the road.

On the other hand, HR may just want confirmation that you are able to perform the new job. That doesn't make it any less suspicious.

In the event the new job doesn't work out, is too stressful, you have a relaps, whatever the case may be, the potential harm to your future security might be in jeoperdy. I don't know if that's true or not, but a qualified ADA attorney would.

I suggest you contact an ADA attorney for a legal opinion of what the highly unusual request could mean for your future income, employment, health/life insurance, retirement, etc.

Good luck and take care.

[wrest53]

dann,
Just a few things that popped into my head when I read your post:

Just how much does your employer plan on reimbursing your physician for such a detailed report? I once had a job desctription with 54 items detailed.Do they think that the cost of your payment of a visit will cover the time involved? Do they provide services for free?

Over the course of our employment we all have aditional duties added--but they seem to want to increase your duties far more than the average. Your length of employment also concerns me--a great and frequently used ploy is to eliminate employees that have a higher salary and/or not replace people that leave/retire.

I would be concerned I was a target for replacement with someone that will be so grateful to have a job--they will work for nothing. Another favorite ploy.

I would do nothing till I talked to an ADA attorney.