Confrontational Boss

[Lexemom]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

I recently posted up a question regarding benefits on another forum regarding this same boss. I have been dealing with a recent bout of severe migraines (extemely severe-this last one has not gone away for over 3 months) and I've been going to the doctor regularly to get this taken care of. Now I've been giving my boss numerous doctor excuses explaining the situation-I'm not even taking off entire days to take the medication like I should which is probably why I still have it (I'm only taking off the few hours here and there to attend appointments). On top of that, my daughter was very ill with bronchitis for almost a month-so I did have to take her to the doctor as well (just a few hours here and there). I did give her doctor's excuses for those as well. I have been at my job for over a year-but I do not get my vacation time or any thing until the beginning of the next calendar year (next january). So my boss has been calling me in and complaining about my attendance. We do have a very small office (and I have not missed that much work-only 6 hours this month)-my job is not behind, no comlaints from clients. I was very frustrated, but thought I had some protection because our employee handbook said that first year employees get 5 days of work off UNPAID. I mentioned this to the office manager, saying that I don't understand how she can complain about me missing a few hours if I'm allowed 5 days off and this morning-we are handed out new employee handbooks. NO UNPAID DAYS OFF. What recourse do I have?

 

[Beth3]

I was very frustrated, but thought I had some protection because our employee handbook said that first year employees get 5 days of work off UNPAID. I mentioned this to the office manager, saying that I don't understand how she can complain about me missing a few hours if I'm allowed 5 days off But on an unscheduled basis? It's not clear what your employer's policy is but their expectation may be that this is time that needs to be scheduled in advance, rather than "I can't come in today because I'm ill or my child is ill" or "I have to leave early."

this morning-we are handed out new employee handbooks. NO UNPAID DAYS OFF. Your employer is free to change their policies any time they wish to. Your employer is not obligated to offer time off, whether paid or unpaid, for sick days or personal business.

What recourse do I have? None that I can see. Unless this company employs 50 or more individuals, they are not subject to the federal law that requires an employer to extend up to 12 weeks of leave time under various specific circumstances. I'm referring to the Family and Medical Leave Act. Were you working for a larger company, it sounds like most of your absences would have fallen under that. Since you aren't, your employer is free to take disciplinary action or even terminate your employment if they feel you have been excessively absent.

You may have very legitimate reasons to be absent from work as much as you have been but I do understand your employer's frustration.

 

[Lexemom]

Actually, almost all of my time has been on a scheduled basis. And my boss does not complain about it when I tell her that I need to take the time off. She only complains about it afterwards. I've been trying so hard to schedule them right away in the morning or as the very last appointment-to miss the least amount of time possible but she doesn't seem to care at all.

 

[Beth3]

Okay but even if your boss says it's okay when you tell her you need to be absent, that doesn't prevent her from complaining about it afterwards and telling you it's a problem.