Grr! Employer not complying with dr. note

repedrick · October 2011

I just started a new job last week and was super excited about it. I am now thinking I may have made a bad decision. It started off that since I live so far away from the office that the office had a microwave for lunch use. So I've been taking my lunch and heating it at work. Then he decided that he was no longer going to allow the use of the microwave.

I happened to have a dr. appt earlier this week and mentioned to my dr. that I had some questions on if a couple certain cold foods were okay to eat. He inquired why and I told him. He gave me a dr note stating that due to diet restrictions I needed the use of a microwave (which is true, I've been on a strict diet for over a year now). I gave it to the boss and inquired if I needed to provide my own microwave for this accomodation. He informed me that there would be no accomodation being made and threw the dr note away right in front of me.

I just don't know what to think. If he's acting like this now I hate to think about how maternity leave will go.

Moneypenny424 · October 2011

Whoa, I'm surprised he threw it away in front of you. What do you need to eat that has to be microwaved? Is the microwave still there and he's saying you can't use it?

Did you talk to him before presenting a doctor's note? I probably wouldn't have taken the note route. I do not see how an office would be obligated to provide a microwave, but it seems odd that he just decided he didn't want people using the one that is already there.

jf198400 · October 2011

Sounds like a total a$$ hole. Who doesn't give their employees a microwave!?! I'm sure other employees must be pissed off too. Can you all band together on this?

BelleWithABlade · October 2011

Um no employer has to provide a microwave because your doctor says so. That's just ridiculous and I probably would have been irritated if I was your boss as well. Maybe I should start writing notes that employers have to have treadmills on site so my patients can work out on their lunch breaks....

Sept1799 · October 2011

BelleWithABlade:
Um no employer has to provide a microwave because your doctor says so. That's just ridiculous and I probably would have been irritated if I was your boss as well. Maybe I should start writing notes that employers have to have treadmills on site so my patients can work out on their lunch breaks....

Really you would be annoyed to, then you are just as bad as he is. Really its a microwave. Every job I have ever had, gave you use to a microwave. How are employees really going to damage a microwave?? Its stupid that they can't have use of it. I understand putting a rule to clean it after you use it, but really?

To me it was stupid to restrict them to begin with...........

messfam07 · October 2011

I would take it up with the HR dept if you have one and if they dont comply take it to your local county or city person who handles this kind of stuff. They can be fined if you have a medical reason or if anything just purchase a mini microwave for personal use. I do know that some states have laws to where if you have a certain amount of employees they have to have a fridge and microwave

bootsnbananas · October 2011

Sept1799:
BelleWithABlade:
Um no employer has to provide a microwave because your doctor says so. That's just ridiculous and I probably would have been irritated if I was your boss as well. Maybe I should start writing notes that employers have to have treadmills on site so my patients can work out on their lunch breaks....

Really you would be annoyed to, then you are just as bad as he is. Really its a microwave. Every job I have ever had, gave you use to a microwave. How are employees really going to damage a microwave?? Its stupid that they can't have use of it. I understand putting a rule to clean it after you use it, but really?

To me it was stupid to restrict them to begin with...........

Totally agree with Belle

Yes it was dumb that he decided you all couldn't use it (especially if it is still there. But he is no way required to provide one or allow one to be brought in.

A lot of people are really bothered by food odors that fill an office after a microwave is used, Maybe that is why he banned it. At any rate it is his perogative, you are at an at will employee and can leave at any time

mben1119 · October 2011

A microwave is not something medical exceptions should be made for. Bring a salad, sandwich, or something else that doesn't need reheating. Your boss is in no way obligated to provide a microwave.

Moneypenny424 · October 2011

I'm curious also why you can't have cold food. Sure, sometimes it's nice to be able to bring in leftovers and stuff, but there are plenty of cold (or room temperature) options, like we used to eat bringing lunch to school. I'm not saying you might not have a legitimate reason, it just sounds more like a preference.

526SadieSadie · October 2011

If there hadn't already been an microwave for employee use and she brought in a note, I would have been irritated, but there was one and for whatever reason her boss is being a d-bag.

JessieJH · October 2011

Accomodations come in all shapes and sizes- this isn't the craziest I've heard by far. We have people who are banned from being around latex baloons, have to have standing work stations, no scents/purfumes in the office, special lighting- you name it. That said- we're a company that is large enough to have a real HR and benefits team. At a company of just a few people I think you'll have a tough time, but if you are part of a larger organization then you can just take the issue to your HR and they can implement the accomodation for you.

nah82 · October 2011

Can you go out for lunch or order food delivered in? What about packing peanut butter sandwiches, salads, fruit, crackers, cheese, etc.? If you have a water cooler that has a hot water option you can use the hot water to make oatmeal. What about a hot plate to heat soups? It might get monotonous but there has to be something healthy you can eat that doesn't require a microwave.

I know at a lot of my jobs, people would leave the microwave a mess and other people would have to clean it up and make a huge deal about it. At one job, we always had a microwave but somehow one of the employees (who transferred in from another location for goodness sakes) decided that our existing microwave was subpar and took it upon herself to remove it, buy a new one, and charge everyone to use the new one she'd bought! Sometimes microwaves can cause ridiculous drama and maybe that's why he decided to do away with the microwave use. I've never heard of a requirement to provide a microwave, though they are very convenient.

PALGal · October 2011

I worked for a large company and they banned microwave popcorn because employees would stick it in and leave. I can't tell you how many times the popcorn set off the fire alarm and we all had to evacuate.

My job now (at a small company) we can only use the microwave before open and after close due to food smell...

Jessimurph · October 2011

BelleWithABlade:
Um no employer has to provide a microwave because your doctor says so. That's just ridiculous and I probably would have been irritated if I was your boss as well. Maybe I should start writing notes that employers have to have treadmills on site so my patients can work out on their lunch breaks....

She said she told him she would provide it... I don't see what you are getting all nasty about.

LaurdaJean · October 2011

Jessimurph:

BelleWithABlade:
Um no employer has to provide a microwave because your doctor says so. That's just ridiculous and I probably would have been irritated if I was your boss as well. Maybe I should start writing notes that employers have to have treadmills on site so my patients can work out on their lunch breaks....

She said she told him she would provide it... I don't see what you are getting all nasty about.

I agree.

Tina272 · October 2011

At our office it is sometimes a problem with people reheating lunch items that really smell up the place Is it possible something you were bringing is causing a smell that upset him?

mexicolombiana · October 2011

Your boss sounds like an a-hole. It also sounds like a crappy work environment. That said like other PPs have said he doesn't have to let you use a microwave.

If you need to keep the job just don't use the microwave.

Otherwise I'd be looking for a new job with a better work environment.

repedrick · October 2011

As far as I'm aware there has been nothing that I have brought that has created any problem. We have not had anyone complain about smells and all my co workers are not happy about it either (everyone except for the boss used the microwave). We think that since all the rest of us used the microwave and sat around and ate lunch together he began to feel left out of conversations (they are personal not business convos) and wanted to break up our little get together lunch time.

No, I don't think he needs to provide the microwave. I would be more than happy to pay for it and bring it in. I just think it's ridiculous to not allow one at all when he's the only one that has the ability to go home for lunch and the rest of us are inconvenienced by it.

repedrick · October 2011

Also, I didn't ask my doctor for the note. He was the one that gave it to me and said to give it to my employer so I didn't have to worry about the issue. I just assumed it must have been something he had dealt with before.

I took it and gave it to my boss because I thought it would be a way to resolve the issue for everyone in my department.

honeybunches101 · October 2011

Yikes! I agree that sometimes having a communal microwave could get messy or smelly, but your boss seems to be needlessly rude about this. If he decided to remove the microwave, he could have just explained to you that no one is allowed to use the microwave for X reason and he's getting rid of it, and then handed you back the doctors note like a normal person. I really don't understand why he was so worked up about it, it's not like you were asking him to go out and buy a microwave just for you. Throwing the note in the trash seems pretty bizarre. Is there an HR department you can follow up with? Maybe bring in your own microwave and just use it in your office with the door closed?

laurack · October 2011

probably he got complaints from others about use of microwave/smells/cleaning etc. so decided to ban microwave use. There is also a slight safety concern like someone else said, about the popcorn setting off alarms.

It's his workplace so unless there is an actual law about providing microwaves or allowing them on the premises I don't see how you can really change this. Especially since you've been there a WEEK?

My advice: suck it up. Bring food you don't need a microwave for. I'm pregnant too and i hardly ever use the microwave. Sandwiches, salads etc. If you want a hot meal go out and get a takeaway or have something delivered.

You don't want to get off on the wrong foot with a new employer. Now is the time to pay your dues and be happy you HAVE a job in this economy.

Claudine2010 · October 2011

ppl seem to also missing the point she made about being on a strict diet, I dont think its a preference, Ive been put on a strict diet too for awhile now, and it has absolutely nothing to do with pregnancy, nobody knows her health situation or what she can and cant eat medically

kaybe24 · October 2011

I worked for a public school and they wanted to charge us a fee for electricity usage for a microwave, fridge, coffee maker, etc in our classroom. They never enforced it but that's the only problem that I see because it would require a little more electricity. It doesn't make sense that the microwave was available when she started to work and then he removed it.

WaitingOnNo2 · October 2011

Why can't you have cold food? I don't understand. Are you normally that whiney/high maintenance? If so I can see why you annoyed your boss. If not he's a d-bag. I'd be tempted to bring hard boiled eggs and tuna fish and open them outside of his office and smell the place up just to annoy him. GL.

BunnyJenny · October 2011

repedrick:
As far as I'm aware there has been nothing that I have brought that has created any problem. We have not had anyone complain about smells and all my co workers are not happy about it either (everyone except for the boss used the microwave). We think that since all the rest of us used the microwave and sat around and ate lunch together he began to feel left out of conversations (they are personal not business convos) and wanted to break up our little get together lunch time.
No, I don't think he needs to provide the microwave. I would be more than happy to pay for it and bring it in. I just think it's ridiculous to not allow one at all when he's the only one that has the ability to go home for lunch and the rest of us are inconvenienced by it.

Yikes... have you had problems with this boss before? I agree with the poster that said this doesn't sound like a good work environment. If you and your co-workers really believe that he's doing this out of spite.... crap, I was just going to say I'd be looking into finding another job but since you're pregnant.... it might be a little difficult.

Well.... DO you have an HR department? If he's not willing to have a civilized conversation about it then you might need to get them involved.

As to the people that don't understand why she'd need a microwave... You need to heat up the meat to prevent listeria (sp?) I personally think it's silly but I do it anyway. It's hard enough packing a good lunch while pregnant, having a restriction like no meat because your boss is an A-hole is just F'd up...

MI-bride · October 2011

laurack:
You don't want to get off on the wrong foot with a new employer. Now is the time to pay your dues and be happy you HAVE a job in this economy.

Not attacking you here, Laurack - I do agree that there are ways around a no-microwave work place. Even with a restrictive diet.

But your bolded line there drives me nuts. In this economy, employers are treating employees worse and worse. They are getting away with it because there isn't a ton of other options out there and are hiding behind statements like this.

MotherMonster · October 2011

Honestly...I would call your doctor and tell them what happened.

My doctor and my mom (she's a doctor) have always put it to me this way...at work, whomever is preventing you from following your doctors orders is taking medical responsibility of you and if they cause you harm, you can press charges against them for practicing medicine without a license and on top of that sue the company you were working for for allowing them that authority.

My mom had a patient with asthma that had problems running and jogging at school while in PE class. As in this child ended up going to the ER every time. My mom said the child wasn't to run or jog, but could walk, so she gave them a note on a prescription. The PE teacher continued to make them run or jog, even though my mom continued to send note after note...so after 3 notes my mom called the principle and told them either you listen to me or I will be more than happen to call the patient's insurance company and let them know you're taking over medical responsibility because this child goes to the ER every time because they can't breathe due to asthma and require emergency medical treatment? My mom asked him if he was planning on faxing over a medical release to her office later that day...needless to say that child does not run or jog in PE anymore.

Doctors orders are doctors orders and that's a violation of the American's Disability Act...being pregnant is classified as a disability and what your employer did was illegal.

BelleWithABlade · October 2011

MotherMonster:
Honestly...I would call your doctor and tell them what happened.
My doctor and my mom (she's a doctor) have always put it to me this way...at work, whomever is preventing you from following your doctors orders is taking medical responsibility of you and if they cause you harm, you can press charges against them for practicing medicine without a license and on top of that sue the company you were working for for allowing them that authority.
My mom had a patient with asthma that had problems running and jogging at school while in PE class. As in this child ended up going to the ER every time. My mom said the child wasn't to run or jog, but could walk, so she gave them a note on a prescription. The PE teacher continued to make them run or jog, even though my mom continued to send note after note...so after 3 notes my mom called the principle and told them either you listen to me or I will be more than happen to call the patient's insurance company and let them know you're taking over medical responsibility because this child goes to the ER every time because they can't breathe due to asthma and require emergency medical treatment? My mom asked him if he was planning on faxing over a medical release to her office later that day...needless to say that child does not run or jog in PE anymore.
Doctors orders are doctors orders and that's a violation of the American's Disability Act...being pregnant is classified as a disability and what your employer did was illegal.

There is so much incorrect about your post I don't even know where to start. First of all, I'm a physician and I'd like to know how requiring a microwave is a disability lol. That's ridiculous and insulting to those with a disability. Even if one required hot food for a medical reason (and I can't think a reason why this would be the case), an employer not having a microwave is not violating this. You can leave at lunch and get something hot.

Your analogy of making an asthmatic run at PE when they aren't supposed to is also stupid and nothing like this situation. Unless the employer held her down, didn't allow her to leave at lunch, and forced her to eat cold food this is nothing like your example. You keep stating how you are a nursing student and your mom is a physician, but frankly your medical knowledge is almost without fail incorrect. And what the heck are you talking about the employer is practicing medicine without a license? Sorry but wowza WTF.

danlexi04 · October 2011

OP, can I ask what strict diet requires use of a microwave for lunch? I'm sure your dr was kind enough to write the note to hopefully make the "issue" easier to handle at work. There's a big difference between NEEDING a microwave and the use of one making your diet more convenient. I'm almost 100% certain there are other food options for you to choose from, unless of course, your strict diet consists of frozen Lean Cuisines and last nights cold left overs.

I don't have the use of a microwave or fridge at my job. I'm pregnant also and for other medical reasons should be following my own type of diet. Would it make my life easier to have a GD microwave? Sure. But I make it work without one.

mben1119 · October 2011

MotherMonster:

Honestly...I would call your doctor and tell them what happened.

My doctor and my mom (she's a doctor) have always put it to me this way...at work, whomever is preventing you from following your doctors orders is taking medical responsibility of you and if they cause you harm, you can press charges against them for practicing medicine without a license and on top of that sue the company you were working for for allowing them that authority.

My mom had a patient with asthma that had problems running and jogging at school while in PE class. As in this child ended up going to the ER every time. My mom said the child wasn't to run or jog, but could walk, so she gave them a note on a prescription. The PE teacher continued to make them run or jog, even though my mom continued to send note after note...so after 3 notes my mom called the principle and told them either you listen to me or I will be more than happen to call the patient's insurance company and let them know you're taking over medical responsibility because this child goes to the ER every time because they can't breathe due to asthma and require emergency medical treatment? My mom asked him if he was planning on faxing over a medical release to her office later that day...needless to say that child does not run or jog in PE anymore.

Doctors orders are doctors orders and that's a violation of the American's Disability Act...being pregnant is classified as a disability and what your employer did was illegal.

No, being pregnant is not a disability, nor is it covered by the ADA: https://askjan.org/soar/other/preg.html

Stop talking out of your_ass. OP, ignore this poster.

balihaigirl · October 2011

mexicolombiana:
Your boss sounds like an a-hole. It also sounds like a crappy work environment. That said like other PPs have said he doesn't have to let you use a microwave.
If you need to keep the job just don't use the microwave.
Otherwise I'd be looking for a new job with a better work environment.

Ditto all of this.

aruiz1982 · October 2011

This is hilarious.

What kind of special diet is this, the "quickest way to get cancer" diet? Microwaved food is not healthy.

Want a personalized experience?

Grr! Employer not complying with dr. note

Re: Grr! Employer not complying with dr. note

Choose Another Board

Search Boards