I just need to rant for a second because I’m incredibly frustrated.
I was employed by a small law firm (only 2 employees) until last month. At the time that I accepted the position, I had severe vertigo almost daily and was having multiple fainting episodes. I made certain that my employer was aware of this in case something happened to me at work. I missed quite a bit of work in my first year, and last October it was discussed in my annual review. This was the first time it was discussed how much work I had missed, almost all due to an unknown medical issue that my employer was aware of. (I say almost all because I missed a week for a miscarriage and another for a severe cold (which I normally would have worked through but, due to covid, they did not want me to come to work when I was sick.))
Last year in December, I was diagnosed with Autonomic Dysfunction, and I communicated to my employer what this meant for my physical health. Some days I literally cannot stand up because my blood pressure is so low. I have zero control over non-voluntary bodily functions (heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, breathing rate, digestive system), which makes it difficult for me to physically come in to the office sometimes. I expressed multiple times after being diagnosed that I needed access to work from home so that I could still work on symptomatic days. It should be noted here that everyone else in the firm (all the partners and the other assistant) had access to WFH and used it frequently throughout my employment. I was brushed off each time.
I filed for unemployment right away (Ohio) and today I received a determination notice that my claim was denied. I’ve filed an appeal, I’m just feeling very defeated at the moment. I literally do not understand how people live off unemployment. I have worked my entire adult life, and this is the first time that I’ve even filed for unemployment. I even worked through the whole pandemic as an “essential” worker.
I’m really worried about my claim being denied entirely. I’m looking for a fully remote job but it’s so difficult to find something when I don’t have a degree. I’ve been in customer service for 15 years and I’d like to not people anymore if I’m being honest. I did file for disability as well, but given that Autonomic Dysfunction isn’t an immediately qualifiable condition, I expect that will have to be appealed as well.
Sorry for the long post… I’m mentally and physically drained from my life lately. Thanks for letting me vent.