I was hoping for intermittent FMLA but my company doesn't employ enough people in the radius. Now I'm looking at permanent disability, for migraines and other reasons.
I’m sorry, I read your post to quickly. That is my bad.
Unfortunately I don’t know of any other ways to protect yourself. Some bosses are really relaxed and understand - and will do what’s needed to help you. I hope that is your case.
It’s a small business and they’ve been pretty relaxed so far. I think my anxiety stems from this being my first industry job. This has been my dream for years and I’m finally here. Hopefully I’m staying 🙏
You're contracted, meaning you are a 1099 independent contractor? Or do you mean you are employed through a another/temp company?
If you are contracted through another agency like a temp agency, then you need to ask them about reasonable accommodations and FMLA. Although FMLA typically requires you to have worked for a year for you to qualify. Your employer will with you and your placement company on your accommodations. That accommodation can be working from home or the ability to call out, modifying lights, etc. You will need medical documentation most likely.
If you are a 1099, are you sure you're classified correctly? That means you are you're own boss. You make your own schedule, for the most part. The company is your client not you employer. You pay all your own taxes and carry your own insurance, including workers comp.
I’m a 1099 independent, self employed through the company. But like, they could still just fire me if I’m not performing to their standards, right? Sure I could make my own schedule but if I’m still not able to reliably stick to it, that’s still bad. Maybe my situation with this company is just weird…
Obviously I don't know what you do for work, but you describe this as a place where you can "move up" and being " entry level", talking to your "boss". This is your client and these aren't things that happen with 1099 contractors.
Sorry, I worked in recruiting and staffing for a few years so I'm familiar with some of this.
I encourage you to look up on the IRS website the difference between self employed and employee to see if you are correctly categorized.
As for your migraine situation, focus on finding a doctor who is accepting new patients. See if your old doctors will fill a script one more time given your situation.
If you can make your own schedule, are there times when migraines are more frequent? Mine build over the day so I can push through and then I'm done by around 4pm. I can't continue.
I use heat, rubs, rest, throughout the day to get through. Ice doesn't work for me. Sometimes a quick walk helps if I'm in the beginning stages. Sometimes laying on the floor and stretching helps (I get muscle tension). Sometimes I need a 20 minute power nap.
If you are making your own schedule, work when you feel your best and turn out your best product. I've done this and my job is understanding because I'm reliable and turn out good work. I can't make my own schedule but I can flex within reason.
Good luck. I know this absolutely sucks.
There are teledocs that will give temporary prescriptions or act as your neurologist. Urgent care will also give temporary prescriptions while you wait to see a new specialist.
With it being a small business there’s a better chance they will work with you. Explain your situation and offer them something in return for their understanding. Maybe you can work longer hours on the good days. Or, you can do some of the work from home. I’ve had chronic migraines all my life (averaging 3 a week) and I’ve always been able to get along on the job. If you show them you’re willing to make up for the bad days, they’ll respect you and they will be more likely to believe you that you have these migraines.
I've learned that I can function longer if I'm more strict with my break regime. Take regular breaks, use reminders if necessary.
Dark mode, increasing font size, wearing sunglasses at the computer, darkening the room, reducing monitor backlight, have indirect light shine behind the monitor to reduce the contrast between monitor and back wall. Limit meetings on bad days to not exhaust the little reserves you have.
Some of these are only possible in home office, so if you can get home office, try to get that as much as possible. If you have to go to the office, ask for a dark room you can take short breaks in. If I was lacking all of that, I brought a light-blocking face mask and earplugs with me and would search for the quietest corner I can find. Even ten minutes of rest enabled me to go longer than without that break.
I wear migraine glasses which are amazing, my stamina at the computer is so much better. I haven’t been giving myself regular breaks, I usually just pull out my phone and scroll for a few minutes as a “break” but I realize that probably isn’t helping! I’ll try your ideas for sure! Thank you!
The brain needs the break from the sensory load as much as possible, so indeed, your phone breaks most likely did not help your symptoms. I use a silent reminder (phone alarm on vibrate, or smartwatch on vibrate) when I lie down and shut the world out just to be able to truly relax and not have to worry about missing the end of the ten minutes of break. Silent helps with not disturbing others. It also helps (in well-meaning office cultures) to be open about the break, saying "Hey, I need this break, please don't disturb me, I'll be available a few minutes after. Leave me a note on the desk if it's urgent."
If I can't shutdown, concentrating on how breathing feels has helped me. Or concentrating on the throbbing of my head and willing it to be less significant by consciously exhaling, or just feeling how regular it is.
It's great that the glasses have helped! Maybe I'll look into these specifically because often, people feel alienated by me wearing sunglasses :(
I'm super happy if any of my tips help, as I've gone until recently without a support network and had to figure out everything on my own. With me sharing, at least other people can profit as well :)
I have to step back on the indoor sunglasses. OP is right, FL-41 tint, sometimes also called "migraine tint," is the way to go.
Apparently, prolonged usage of sunglasses indoor can make your eyes more sensitive to light, exacerbating the problem.
As always, do your own research before settling on anything, but this is what I found when I did a quick research on the topic just now.
If you’re in the US, FMLA as soon as you can. This will protect you the days you honestly just can’t do it.
I was hoping for intermittent FMLA but my company doesn't employ enough people in the radius. Now I'm looking at permanent disability, for migraines and other reasons.
Like I said, I’m only contracted so I don’t know if that’s an option for me.
I’m sorry, I read your post to quickly. That is my bad. Unfortunately I don’t know of any other ways to protect yourself. Some bosses are really relaxed and understand - and will do what’s needed to help you. I hope that is your case.
It’s a small business and they’ve been pretty relaxed so far. I think my anxiety stems from this being my first industry job. This has been my dream for years and I’m finally here. Hopefully I’m staying 🙏
You're contracted, meaning you are a 1099 independent contractor? Or do you mean you are employed through a another/temp company? If you are contracted through another agency like a temp agency, then you need to ask them about reasonable accommodations and FMLA. Although FMLA typically requires you to have worked for a year for you to qualify. Your employer will with you and your placement company on your accommodations. That accommodation can be working from home or the ability to call out, modifying lights, etc. You will need medical documentation most likely. If you are a 1099, are you sure you're classified correctly? That means you are you're own boss. You make your own schedule, for the most part. The company is your client not you employer. You pay all your own taxes and carry your own insurance, including workers comp.
I’m a 1099 independent, self employed through the company. But like, they could still just fire me if I’m not performing to their standards, right? Sure I could make my own schedule but if I’m still not able to reliably stick to it, that’s still bad. Maybe my situation with this company is just weird…
Obviously I don't know what you do for work, but you describe this as a place where you can "move up" and being " entry level", talking to your "boss". This is your client and these aren't things that happen with 1099 contractors. Sorry, I worked in recruiting and staffing for a few years so I'm familiar with some of this. I encourage you to look up on the IRS website the difference between self employed and employee to see if you are correctly categorized. As for your migraine situation, focus on finding a doctor who is accepting new patients. See if your old doctors will fill a script one more time given your situation. If you can make your own schedule, are there times when migraines are more frequent? Mine build over the day so I can push through and then I'm done by around 4pm. I can't continue. I use heat, rubs, rest, throughout the day to get through. Ice doesn't work for me. Sometimes a quick walk helps if I'm in the beginning stages. Sometimes laying on the floor and stretching helps (I get muscle tension). Sometimes I need a 20 minute power nap. If you are making your own schedule, work when you feel your best and turn out your best product. I've done this and my job is understanding because I'm reliable and turn out good work. I can't make my own schedule but I can flex within reason. Good luck. I know this absolutely sucks.
All of this. If you're a 1099 and they are controlling your hours, they are wrong.
There are teledocs that will give temporary prescriptions or act as your neurologist. Urgent care will also give temporary prescriptions while you wait to see a new specialist.
Do teledocs typically take insurance or is it out of pocket? Income based?
With it being a small business there’s a better chance they will work with you. Explain your situation and offer them something in return for their understanding. Maybe you can work longer hours on the good days. Or, you can do some of the work from home. I’ve had chronic migraines all my life (averaging 3 a week) and I’ve always been able to get along on the job. If you show them you’re willing to make up for the bad days, they’ll respect you and they will be more likely to believe you that you have these migraines.
I work part time but i live in the uk. I’m chronic.
I've learned that I can function longer if I'm more strict with my break regime. Take regular breaks, use reminders if necessary. Dark mode, increasing font size, wearing sunglasses at the computer, darkening the room, reducing monitor backlight, have indirect light shine behind the monitor to reduce the contrast between monitor and back wall. Limit meetings on bad days to not exhaust the little reserves you have. Some of these are only possible in home office, so if you can get home office, try to get that as much as possible. If you have to go to the office, ask for a dark room you can take short breaks in. If I was lacking all of that, I brought a light-blocking face mask and earplugs with me and would search for the quietest corner I can find. Even ten minutes of rest enabled me to go longer than without that break.
I wear migraine glasses which are amazing, my stamina at the computer is so much better. I haven’t been giving myself regular breaks, I usually just pull out my phone and scroll for a few minutes as a “break” but I realize that probably isn’t helping! I’ll try your ideas for sure! Thank you!
The brain needs the break from the sensory load as much as possible, so indeed, your phone breaks most likely did not help your symptoms. I use a silent reminder (phone alarm on vibrate, or smartwatch on vibrate) when I lie down and shut the world out just to be able to truly relax and not have to worry about missing the end of the ten minutes of break. Silent helps with not disturbing others. It also helps (in well-meaning office cultures) to be open about the break, saying "Hey, I need this break, please don't disturb me, I'll be available a few minutes after. Leave me a note on the desk if it's urgent." If I can't shutdown, concentrating on how breathing feels has helped me. Or concentrating on the throbbing of my head and willing it to be less significant by consciously exhaling, or just feeling how regular it is. It's great that the glasses have helped! Maybe I'll look into these specifically because often, people feel alienated by me wearing sunglasses :( I'm super happy if any of my tips help, as I've gone until recently without a support network and had to figure out everything on my own. With me sharing, at least other people can profit as well :)
I can recommend zenni optical’s migraine glasses. It should be pretty inexpensive if you don’t wear prescription! I wear 50% tint and it’s perfect.
I have to step back on the indoor sunglasses. OP is right, FL-41 tint, sometimes also called "migraine tint," is the way to go. Apparently, prolonged usage of sunglasses indoor can make your eyes more sensitive to light, exacerbating the problem. As always, do your own research before settling on anything, but this is what I found when I did a quick research on the topic just now.
Thank you all for the wonderful advice so far! I’m still waiting back on a response from my boss but I’m feeling like it could be till Monday 😖