I just got a new part time job which I started last week. The week before I started the new job, I fell up the stairs. Instead of grabbing the handrail, I put my right hand out to break my fall. The heel of my palm hit the stair. It was jarring and hurt, but I shrugged it off and continued on. Not one of my wisest decisions. By the middle of the week my wrist was swollen and I have a marble sized lump across from the prominent wrist bone. I'm in a brace. The x-rays couldn't see through the swelling. I'm scheduled for another set tomorrow. My question is this, how much do you guys tell your employer about your condition? The last time I was in the workplace I did not even know that PsA was in my future. The exhaustion at the end of the day was unbelievable! Even though I'm trying to be stoic, it must be showing up on my face. My manager keeps on asking me if I'm ok and why would I be put in a brace if my wrist was "only" sprained. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sprains need to be rested. This is why you need a brace. Is this impacting your ability to perform your job?
I haven't found it to be. That will be the answer I give if my manager asks again. Thanks, Stoney. This is all new territory for me.
Stoney said:
Sprains need to be rested. This is why you need a brace. Is this impacting your ability to perform your job?
And I'm sorry that you're going through this. Unfortunate timing. I'm recovering from a sprained foot, so I feel your pain. One of my jobs in incompatible with this type of situation, but the person I work for has been very accommodating.
Yikes! I would suggest you keep your comments about your condition with your brand new supervisor to a minimum. For the time being all that person needs to know is that you fell, you sprained your wrist, and the recommended treatment for you, according to your chosen medical professional (not rheumatologist), is a brace.
Last June I took a new job and was just coming off a really tough and busy time at work which meant I wasn't at my peak health-wise. I had the good fortune to get a new job working for someone with whom I had interacted professionally for about three years. He knows me, knows my work, and he's incredibly understanding. As soon as I had the job we met to talk about things I would need to get me started--he was thinking computers, on-line resources and the like--and I asked for a new desk chair and stand-up/sit down desk and that he understand about my condition and embrace my working from home when absolutely necessary. I would NOT have done this on day one if I didn't already know him well.
I think you really need a sense of the person before you tell them about your condition, especially since your position is part-time and you probably have a little less leverage than a full-time employee might have. Until you have a sense about whether your supervisor is understanding and has the potential to be accommodating or if that person's a ball-buster, I would be cagey about telling your boss/supervisor anything that could be used against you.
Sprains can be nasty and take a long time to heal especially if you did a good job of it. And that’s in a “normal” person.
I agree with Jane. Keep the PsA to yourself until you HAVE to say something. Let them get to know you and value you first. I made the mistake of using my cane shortly after I was hired and the s hit the fan. I was written up for not being “warm and open” enough on my first week of work. Yes, you read that right. They were preparing to can me because of disability.
I'm back from my follow up. I tore the synovial tendon sheath. I can go without the brace unless I need to push, pull, or pick up something, which he is limiting to 5 pounds. The Doc said it would take about 3 months to heal if I behaved myself. My manger was the one with twenty questions, my supervisor is a new hire, too. Fortunately for me his wife sprained her wrist 5 months ago and she has yet to heal, unfortunately for her. So he is ok with the whole thing. So, keep the PsA to myself, got it. My husband said I was a little bit crabby, more so than usual. That means I need to work on being more warm and open, too. What a fine line we have to walk.
I also have a gripe. While I was waiting to see the Doc., I was watching the TV that gives out medical advice. The first was about diabetes and how it affects the largest organ, your skin and the importance of taking care of your skin. The second was about psoriasis. Nothing was mentioned about how it affected your skin or how it could lead to PsA, etc. They focused on how people with psoriasis appear to others. I was so very disappointed with that segment. Griping over.
Thanks, y'all. :)