Explaining symptoms to your employer

Hi!  I'm new here and asking this on behalf of my father.  He is 64 and really struggling with the fatigue and other side effects, and his employer has been... awful.  Has anyone else experienced this skepticism from a boss/manager?  It might not help that he's got a heavy Greek accent and isn't great at expressing himself, I've called the HR department however I think the most effective thing for him to get would be a doctor's note?  It''s more the attitude they've been giving him for being so worn out sometimes, I think that if they had something concrete they might treat him a little better.

He has doctors notes for the times he needs to be away from work, but has anyone else gotten a general note explaining the condition from a doctor?  Will they write one of them or just tell me to take generic info in?  I'm just wondering if anyone else has found a satisfactory solution to this, and if so what...

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi,

Welcome on the forum,i am really sorry to hear about your father's situation,i am assuming he is a thal minor right? I can't understand how people can be so mean to elderly,i don't know where you are located but i think finding a hemotologist who understands thalassemia and especially thalassemia minor,would help your father's situation,may be he'd be able to explain to his employer what symptoms he is having.

Hope this helps,

Zaini.

When I decided to try for a job, I made my haemotogist write a letter explaining my condition and the continous time off work I will need.
My dr also added her number if anymore info was required.
I have Beta Thal Major and even with the new boss have had no problems as I have laid it on the table with my specialist's letter.
Hope this helps.

Hello,
I am so sorry for the challenges your Dad experiences with work.  I am very fortunate in that I work from home and have a healthy husband with a good job.  However, I still spend every day feeling tired and having to explain to people why 'no, I don't feel like company stopping by', or whatever.  Please tell him how encouraging it is for me to hear of someone 64 with thalassemia still working.  I do everything I can to stay feeling young, still, I need the encouragement of knowing there are other people out there that are older, and still doing something with their lives other than sitting.  I appreciate the inspiration.
Best wishes to you both in life, OldThalGal

i'm also a working mom. Since my son is always sick since he was born, can't help but to take a leave everytime he is sick..

But the problem is, my korean boss cannot understand why i am absent..i feel that he is mad everytime i ask permission..

right now, i'm planning to resign and look for other job.. (filipino boss maybe) so that he can understand my situation..

please help me on what to do..Need suggestions...

Dear MommyJanice,

I dont think the nationality of the boss will make any difference...probably being honest to him and explaining your situation might make him understand your plight...

Hope you are able to get what you want...!

 
Madhavi

I alraedy make a email to him, explaining my current situation, but i think, still, he cannot understand me..He is just insisting about professionalism..

honestly, I'm having a hardship on my job responsibilities now..
but i endure everything because this is where i get my living and for my son of course..
but with a situation like this, i think i have to decide because I cannot guarantee that i will not be out everytime my son is sick..My family comes first and this is the thing he cannot understand...
he told me once, when you are here in the office focus on your ork and leave all your problems at home..

in some instances, maybe he is correct and the fact that he is still my boss...

but what will i do..i'm just a mother, a human, a wife.. i explained to him that I'm not robot..i have emotional feeling. I have also other life..

but still, there are all in vain..my explanation seems nothing to him..he just want us to work, work, work because the company is paying us..

Sorry, I let my emotion down..i think i will burst out any moment now because we have just finish again our confrontation..

What will I do...

Janice,

Life is surely tough sometimes, but never lose hope that things will get better.

You sound very stressed, what i suggest is that you close your eyes and take 5 deep breaths each time you feel so much pressure on you. It helps cope the situation better.

Try to also focus on what is good - whatever makes you smile, i'm sure this will get easier to manage with time and more knowledge. Everyone here is more than glad to help guide you whenever you need.

Love and God Bless,
 

Dear MommyJanice,

I can understand your current position and also that no one can go to work by merely leaving the emotions back at home...
I will suggest not to immediately think about the resignation. Signing off from here won't end up the problem. You would still have to take a leave from work even if you switch your job because of your son, (May God bless him health). In fact, I would suggest you to take a 3 months test time to cope up with the situation and try to convince your boss meanwhile.

Yes, the nationality does matter in some cases, but you and your boss can work out on the solution. Like working an hour or two more the next day you take a leave.

You may also consult the HR personnel dealing with the grievances in your organization.

I pray that the things turn out better for you.
(the above are only my opinions and not the final verdict).

Stay Safe,
Fouad

Until you know your son's true status, there is no reason to make any changes.

Meanwhile, I would suggest giving him daily folic acid supplements, rather than iron, as folic acid can help correct some anemias that are not iron related, and it is recommended in all thalassemias. I think you should see if NOT taking iron makes a difference to his health and immune system. Iron feeds bacteria and viruses, so when you take too much, it makes you more susceptible to illness.