When The Disability Comes From Others
OFFICE | WORKING | APRIL 29, 2016
(Our team has recently been majorly shaken up with changes. It’s also worth noting I have a number of health conditions which require me to have a desk I can sit and stand at interchangeably, I also start later in the morning (9:30) and have done for several years. I’ve been pulled into a meeting with the new manager.)
Manager: “So, I don’t see you fitting in. You’re not ‘living the team.’”
Me: “I’m sorry, what? I don’t know what you mean.”
Manager: “Well, you refuse to sit with the team.”
Me: “Yes, because I have to have a sit/stand desk. It’s an OHS requirement due to my back injury.”
Manager: “And what? That desk doesn’t exist where the team sits?”
Me: “There is one but it’s up against another desk. It’s incredibly claustrophobic to work at.”
Manager: “So, basically you refuse to sit at desks with others and insist on sitting separately.”
Me: “That’s not what I said! My desk is no more than 10m away and I regularly come over. I’m working within HR’s requirements.”
Manager: “I just don’t see you interacting. You’re not part of the team and you come in late everyday!”
Me: “You are aware I’ve had a verbal agreement with all my managers to start at 9:30 for the last four years?”
Manager: “No.”
Me: “Well, I do. My health issues are the worst in the morning so I need that extra time to get here. Are there any other reasons you think I’m not fitting in?”
Manager: “I don’t have to provide you with a list! You’re not fitting in and we need to move you to a team that can work with your limitations.”
(And that is how I realized my new boss is against people with disabilities and began looking for a new job!
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