Calling all Fibromyalgia sisters and brothers! I’ve got questions and I’m hoping you have answers. How many of you work in a full-time, part-time or from an “at home” capacity? Each Monday I ponder how I’m going to survive my 50 hour work week since I can’t picture myself not working. Many people, and even a few that also suffer from Fibro, have let Matt and I know that all the stress in my current job is adding to the aches and pains. I’ve acknowledged that and each day try my hardest to remain calm and carry on. I’m drawn to industries that are innately stressful and fast paced. From what I’ve heard that’s everything I should be staying away from, but alas that’s just not going to happen so I’m accepting ideas. Do you have a good tactic that helps you continue on in your normal work field?
As I mentioned in a recent blog, the temperature in the office is way too cold for my joints so I keep a blanket at my desk to bundle up in. Oddly enough I fit in with the rest of the snuggies that everyone is styling around here, so no one has ever questioned it. Therefore, I still haven’t told anyone about the challenge I face each day. When I started my job I made the decision that I would keep my mouth closed as I felt my Director would see it as a weakness and immediately look for a way to get me off of the payroll. Even though I learned that my work week would include a mandatory 45 hour a week schedule I still decided it would be best to stay quite. Now I’m being encouraged to work closer to 50 – 52 hours a week, despite the lack of business as this is my slow season, and I’m wondering if even a traditional employee would speak up about how working that many hours in a slow season is silly.
Have any of you come forward and told your employer or HR department about your Fibromyalgia? How was your information received? I’m not looking to be treated any differently than a traditional employee. I appreciate being pushed to strive for more as that matches with my natural work style and determination. However, if I cannot justify how a traditional employee should be working 52 hours during a slow season then I cannot justify how I should be either. At what point do you speak up and do you mention that each of those 52 hours is harder for you to tackle then all of those around you?
My adaptability skills have allowed me to do my best to continue pushing forward no matter the job obstacle that is thrown my way. I think that has to do with the fact that I still possess the same passion and drive inside as I always have. All my years of dedication to my art form taught me that you can only improve by putting in the hours of work. In my mind I’m still up for the battle no matter the job ahead, but now there is a point where my body decides it for me that it’s not going to allow me to physically keep up with what my mind is pushing me forward to do. It’s never stopped me from performing my job, but it has slowed me down when it comes to physically moving about on occasion. On those days I tend to avoid my Director so he doesn’t notice my sluggish movements, but it made me wonder what others of you do if you haven’t told your employer.
Please share your stories, tricks of the trade, and any other helpful information that you think can potentially help another Fibro friend. I’m always happy to hear any helpful suggestions that can help not just me but anyone else that might stumble upon my little blog. Thanks Fibro friends!