New Job Not Compatible, Quit or Hang On??

KARW41

I have PTSD and am getting a bilateral mastectomy in 2 days. I'm trying to figure out if I should just quit this job, in which people are calling me at night. They can't provide me with a detailed job description of essential job functions, or the meaning of a flexible 40 schedule to say if this night time calling about work is required, or not. The lawyer I called for help said ask to work a set schedule, say 8 to 5, but the supervisor is not responding to my questions on the nature of the job description/functions, or my question on the guidance document that explains this schedule in which people just call at night to ask routine questions. It seems the culture of the place is to work all the time. I'm not able to sustain it now, before surgery, much less, I'm guessing in recovering from it with 4 days off, the sick leave I have on the books, plus the 4th of July holiday. I may have a chance to return to my past job, which I am well trained for and got recognition, but I have to see if that is still an option. Wondering if I just quit or what to do. I can't take the phone calls at night with all that is going on at the moment.

flashlight

KARW41, Hi, I am sorry you are still dealing with this. If you inquire about your old job will your new job know? If not start the process. I wouldn't do anything different at your current job and just let it play out. The longer you have insurance the better. There are follow up appointments and treatment. I would let your colleagues know that you are having surgery and won't be available for any evening hours. If people are calling to ask routine questions is there any way you can set up a message that states the hours you are available or post an email address? Who knows your colleagues might have a flexible schedule where they put in the majority of their hours in the evening. There are a lot of unknowns. Good luck to you.

KARW41

Thank you so much flashlight. I got in touch with a counselor and talked with them last week for advice. I'm also getting in touch with another counselor who can perhaps write me a medical note so that it is clear I cannot also work at night right now. I am actually feeling stronger now that I am a week out from surgery, but I don't think I can work during the day and at night too.

I communicated with my former coworker for networking and that's how I know they have actually two jobs at my old employer now.

I am trying to hang on right now, and also applied and got an interview back closer to my family in Virginia too.

I just hope something goes through before anything goes wrong with the existing job.

It is a stress I don't need when also having a bilateral mastectomy, that's for sure.

It also shapes my worldview on society and economics, to see what people with cancer experience, and having to have a job to get quality care, it seems.

The VA delayed my diagnosis by months. I moved to be fair, but had told them I was moving.

Thank you very much again. Your ideas are helpful to me today. I was offline due to surgery but am now back to trying to deal with this.

illimae

An unresponsive supervisor and unclear duties are both red flags for me, regardless of dealing with cancer treatment. Only you know what to do about that but ifit was me, I’d be looking elsewhere.

KARW41

Thank you very much. I felt enough energy, one week out from bilateral mastectomy, to email the social worker associated with the breast care center, for insights. I am looking elsewhere for sure. They still cannot provide me with a copy of the job's essential functions, and that is from also asking the disability coordinator for help. He said it is up to the supervisor to define the essential functions.