Just some rambling thoughts......

If YOU have to wonder if the YOU mentioned below is YOU, Dear Reader, then I'll just leave it to YOU to wonder.

Just so that we understand each other, I'm not wishing my misfortune on anyone.

HOWEVER, I do believe what goes around, comes around.

YOU all have significant others. Most of YOU have children. If someone had put them through what I was put through, I have no doubt YOU would be angry. I'm going to stop there.

I would like to offer YOU a hearty congratulations.

I've never felt the need to have a personal "sh*t list" before....until now. I'll let YOU decide if you think YOUR NAME made my list. So much for that!

I've learned a lot this past year and I'd like to share the knowledge with anyone that happens to stumble across this blog.

1. Put away as much money as possible in a rainy day account. Tax refunds, rebates, bonuses, raises, etc. should all be squirreled away. Thankfully, this has been something that has become second nature to me.
2. If your employer ever says "Don't worry about your job", that's when you need to start worrying. Don't count on the FMLA to be your safety net. It was written to protect the employer, not the employee.
3. If your employer says your job will be there when you return, get the specifics in writing. Make sure the job title, job specifications, and pay are specified and have your supervisor, human resources, and a company officer sign it and have it notarized.
4. If you have to go on a medical leave (short term or long term) get copies of all of your performance evaluations prior to leaving. If you've never been reviewed, request one. Also, print out all emails thanking you for help on projects.
5. While you are out on leave, take the opportunity to update and fine tune your resume...just in case.

Now....when you return to work:

1. Continue to print and keep any emails you received from coworkers thanking you for your help. If you have never received a performance evaluation, you may need these emails for future reference.
2. Document, document, document. Document what time you came to work, what time you went to lunch, if you went to lunch, what time you went home, as well as if you took work home.
3. If a coworker ever says "Don't worry....they are NOT going to fire you, not after what you've been through", I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but yes, they can and yes, they will. Oh they are definitely not stupid enough to say that they are firing you because of your illness, but they have other devices at their disposal. "Not performing up to expectations" (hence the need for getting copies of your previous performance evaluations) is vague enough to allow leeway without legal reprisal. It's also why you need to make sure to follow #4 from the first list and #1 from this list to counterattack.
4. Invest in a small voice recorder. If you are having memory retention issues (and even if you are NOT having memory retention issues) tell your employer that you need it to make sure that you understand project requirements. Begin using it to record ALL meetings where your projects, your work performance, etc., is discussed. Google "FMLA ADA reasonable accomodation" for additional information. A tape recorder can be considered a reasonable accomodation...AND can serve as a witness should the need ever arise.
5. Unfortunately, The XYZ Company is NOT a family; it's a company. That sort of thinking (the company is a family) died in the late eighties and early nineties. Business is business; people are expendable. Think your job is safe? Think again. You, as the employee, are an expense. Management loves to decrease expenses.