Pain meds and working

Hooch · #1 (**permalink**) 01-15-2011, 01:51 AM

The truth is you just lie through your goddamned teeth and say whatever you have to say to get the job, as it is a damned sight better than being broke and on the street.

I would never admit in an interview to having a bad back or depression. The truth is we all have skeletons in our closets.

If I was in your position I would consider consulting a lawyer familiar with the field to find out exactly what the legal ramifications and obligations are, so you can bend the rules of the game in your favour as much as possible.

Good luck, I really hope you are able to manage the pain successfully.

mmglobal · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2011, 07:42 AM

Aaron, I'm going to ignore your question and bring up something different. I have successfully identified my t-spine generator and in a few weeks will have costovertebral nerve ablations. Keep looking here for my updates... should be some time after Feb 6th.

I don't know if our problems are similar... but maybe my experience will be of some benefit for you?

Mark

Maria · #3 (**permalink**) 01-15-2011, 11:20 AM

Aaron,
there's Hooch's approach which I won't say is wrong however it can have consequences re loss of benefits/job if you're found out. One of my friends had an old back injury and he didn't report it to the company he was working for and then had to take some time off for back probs. They did check into his history and they did terminate his employment. Fortunately he found a new employer in a relatively short period of time and has good benefits. He still has to take time off re back/neck tho at least it's not questioned/problematic to date.

What my first WC attorney told me when I had a back injury and had been out of work for a year re not admitting to the injury was "doubtful the employer can have you put in jail for lying about your back."

Well again we do what we have to do whatever that might be. I hope Mark has success w/his treatment and perhaps it might be something that would be helpful for you and/or others with certain t spine stuff going on. good luck!

Pharmacist.steve · #4 (**permalink**) 01-16-2011, 01:04 PM

If a lie was told during the interview process, such as - do you take any prescription drugs...- and is later discovered, the consequences might be severe.

Asking personal/health questions during the interview process.. is ILLEGAL.. I once had a telephone interview and the "boss" asked me how old I was... I answered the question...but.. later talked to HR .. who was part of the conversation.. and told them they should inform the boss about such laws and they said that they about choked .. when he came out with that question.

Employers are getting around this by putting in the job description... able to lift 20 lbs... stand on your feet for 8 hrs...etc...etc... if you claim that you can meet these job description.. and you can't... then they have reason to dismiss you because you have mis-represented yourself.

dshobbies · #5 (**permalink**) 01-16-2011, 10:29 PM

As I stated - in a perfect world...

Small employers care less about the legalities of what can and cannot be asked. A friend of ours was reported to the employment board and his response was his question was misunderstood... No action was taken.

Small employers can ill afford the hiring of employees that will ultimately cost them money.

I still think this is a difficult situation. As quoted "it's a dog eat dog world out there and I'm wearing milkbone underwear". We all are!

Pharmacist.steve · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2011, 12:07 AM

The "labor boards" are known for being "paper tigers"... they exist for the pure purpose to meet some regulation that they do exists.

With a medical issues... it should fall under the ADA and it was written with vague verbiage so that the courts could define what the act should entail.

The fines for violating the ADA can be quite draconian and all it takes is one over-eager attorney to go after making an example out of a employer to get the attention of the entire employer population... and typically they pick on the weakest of the lot... they are the easiest to slaughter.

This is one of the disadvantages of having an interview one on one or with everyone "on the other side of the table"... for it is easy for it to be said that there as a mis-understanding... or what you heard and not what I said... some similar cop-out to cover up a lie.

Hooch · #7 (**permalink**) 01-17-2011, 02:55 AM

That's why I would consult a lawyer (assuming I was financially sound and getting ready to deal with a long term condition) and check where I stand with the law, and I understand it varies state to state in the US?

The reality is if you admit to medical conditions which have the potential to compromise your performance your application goes to the bottom of the pile, no matter what the size of the company you are applying for.

If it comes down to having a job and having no job... which would you prefer? If you can get a foot in being honest, then that's great. If that doesn't work, time for dirty tricks!