Posted on Nov 12, 2015
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So yeah my immediate supervisor found out I have PTSD.

Now she wants me to go to the VA to get a medical necessity letter so that I can have a fan at my desk, listen to music, or have the blind closed.
Little background before my question:
For starters I have worked here almost two years and this has never been an issue until about two-three weeks ago when she found out I have PTSD. (disclosure was on my part due to an outburst on her part of literally yelling at me from across the hall and virtually ripping the blind off the window while trying to raise it after I lowered them when I came in (btw she is in a different office than I am)....after her outburst I went to her office and asked her if we needed to talk and she asked me why I like the blind closed...I told her I don't like sitting with my back to an open window to which she asked me if I had PTSD or something.....after ignoring her questions three or four times I finally told her she was not really allowed to ask me that but yes I do have PTSD....and then she huffed, mumbled something under her breath and went and put the blind back down....so i figured ok I guess this is over......guess I was wrong

All of the other workers in the office have fans or heaters at their desks are not required to have medical letters for them.
Other people who want the blind opened or closed are not required to have a medical letter.
Everyone has speakers attached to their computers and often listens to music, at a low volume again without being required to get a medical letter.
I checked with HR and there are no company policies on Fans, Blinds, or Music.
Anyway I refused to sign a letter requesting medical necessity for what I basically consider to be common courtesy.....if my music bothers you ask me and I’ll turn it down or off, if the blind being down bothers you im sure we can come to an agreement on an appropriate level, and if my fan is blowing on you please let me know and I will turn it.
Anyway all that aside I told HR that I felt that this was discrimination because there are no company policies being broken and no one else is being required to get medical letters for their fans, heaters, music, or shade preferences.
For the record I like the shade down because I’m uncomfortable with my back to an open window (you know that perfectly irrational fear of snipers) and it creates a glare on my screen and I cannot see.

I listen to my music at the lowest possible setting because I don't like sitting in a quiet room listening to people breath you know that deafening silence. (And on the one occasion where a co-worker asked me to turn it down I did so immediately with an apology)
I use a fan because well....I’m hot.
I have not asked for, nor do I expect, any special treatment as a result of any diagnosed problems I may have......I figure if folks can’t be courteous then I’ll just tolerate anything that bothers me...after all they are entitled to their preferences also…. and besides it's only for finite periods of time...after which I get to home to my own thermostat, radio, and blinds that they have no control over.
I fail to see where any of these "issues" are medical issues and need to take up the VAs valuable time or even more valuable appointments....lord knows they have people with real issues that need to been seen.
Ok...So finally my question to the group is this.....Am I off base on saying this is discrimination?
Especially considering the request for medical documentation did not come until after she learned of my diagnosis and no one else in the office is being asked to provide medical necessity letters for their fans, music, or blind preferences.
I do get a warm fuzzy from HR but my concern now is that every other week she will be putting in some BS complaint again me and eventually something will stick.
Not often I ask for help but I am at a loss on this one......to me this is just normal office stuff I don't understand why it's being made into an "medical issue".....if I am off base on this someone please correct and enlighten me.
In the meantime out of self-preservation I have removed the fans from my desk, turned off the music, and have not touched the blind (nor will I be any time soon
Anyway ....I have a feeling that this will blow over, and the individual involved will be getting talked to, but I just really would like opinions from those that may understand where I’m coming from ....just to make sure I’m not way off in left field on this.
I truly don't know if the actions on her part are out of ignorance, concern, or are simple malicious in nature.
Thank you advance for your collective time and thoughts on this.




UPDATE:

So actually deciding to come into the office today (an yes I sat in the parking lot for about 30 min debating if I was just going to quit and walk away).....a few things have instantly been fixed.....HR said there is no letter required for anything that was noted and that further more it is not my supervisors place to make a medical exception request for special treatment or service it's mine (so thats over). Second they are looking at moving me into another office in the back (so that fixes the location issue). Third HR also said they are going to be restructuring and I will be receiving a new supervisor. (so check on that issues to)....no to see if everyone follows through.

Side note: Supervisor did call me into office and apologize for anything she did that may have made feel like I was being targeted or attacked......I told her I understand (and to honest I don't think is was done maliciously) but it does not change what happened....so mending fences hopefully.

Thank you to all for your supportive comments and shared outrage....it's nice to know one is not alone when crap like this happens.

Hopefully this chapter will pass rather quickly and the company can move forward.

I will be making record of all that has transpired and of course be it the PTSD or just my spider sense ...be on look out for further "issues."........it's like someone kind of alluded to below you're not really paranoid if they are out to get you.

Again I can not express my gratitude and the sense of relief I had after opening RP today and seeing all the supportive messages. ....sometimes it takes a VET to know one, or calm on down.....if I can ever return the favor just holler and I'm there for you.
Posted in these groups: 78568930 PTSDNo discrimination sign Discrimination
Edited 9 y ago
Comments have been disabled
Responses: 28
PO1 John Miller
MSgt Ronald Stacy
It seems to me like you have grounds for a formal ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) complaint.
SSG Michael Scott
SSG Michael Scott
9 y
Damn right
The boss needs to make what is called reasonable accommodation for you to be successful as a employee.
1px xxx
Suspended Profile
I have updated original message with well where stuff sits right now.

Again thanks to all for supportive comments and messages. The thing I, and many, miss most about the service is not the Job it's the PEOPLE!!!!
SGT Project Engineer
Edited 9 y ago
Just a small comment, since most other have said great stuff.
The blinds issue, if it creates a glare - then it is a valid issue concerning your work environment, that is probably an easier discussion than PTSD. But you need to protect yourself, for sure.

And that your boss even asked about PTSD, that is a huge no-no. Why would she be that careless?

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