JohnAnderson
6th January 2010, 08:12 AM
I've worked for the same company since I came home from Iraq in 2004. I've had gout attacks since I was 20 and a Navy doctor diagnosed my Marine ass. I got out after my OIF deployment. I'm a Unix whiz, never stepped foot in a classroom, but I'm now the Senior System Architect for the largest online credit card processor on the Internet.
I kept my gout condition secret from my workplace. When I had gouty arthritis symptoms I would grit my teeth, pull on my shoes and go to work. On crutches if necessary, and I'd make up some accident like horseback riding, or a tactical rifle exercise accident. (Everyone at work knows I'm a gun nut and an outdoorsy.) I have a very high pain tolerance, and I don't take medication for anything. One ibuprofen to me is like morphine, because I just don't take anything unless pain is absolutely overbearing.
One morning, this past year, I woke up with gout pain in BOTH ankles. That's right both ANKLES at the same time. Crutches, canes, soft shoes, nothing will help in this situation. You need at least one working foot to not be wheelchair bound, and I was fresh out of wheelchairs. I called my supervisor and conferenced in the director of H.R. and explained what was going on. I was then allowed to work remotely from home for as long as I needed until I recovered, with full credit for my hours worked.
I'm very glad I work for a company with these principles. I could do my job, I could carry-on the day to day responsibility of Unix systems, I just couldn't walk or drive. Since I explained my condition to my employer gout attack scenarios have become much smoother. I only get gout attacks once or twice a year, but when they occur I have the option of working from home, not wearing shoes into work, and no one thinks less of me for my condition. I wish I had done this years ago instead of hiding it.
If you suffer from gout attacks, and it effects your employment, talk to your employer and explain it to them! Don't use gout as an excuse to get out of work and still get paid, but let them know what is going on! Be honest about what is causing your sick days and tardiness, and I bet that you & your employer will work out some sort of arrangement when gout strikes. My case and input has developed an entire, company wide gout policy which allows employees to still work, and earn, while they have verified gout symptoms.
If I had it all to do over again I would probably arrange a sit down with my H.R. director and supervisor and lay it all out on the line for them. This would have most likely done more good than harm, and at least there would have been no surprises in store for them. What I'm trying to say is this: If you occasionally or frequently get Gout, talk to your employer. You just might be able to develop scenarios where you are still useful and profitable while suffering the symptoms, and you can remain employed.
I kept my gout condition secret from my workplace. When I had gouty arthritis symptoms I would grit my teeth, pull on my shoes and go to work. On crutches if necessary, and I'd make up some accident like horseback riding, or a tactical rifle exercise accident. (Everyone at work knows I'm a gun nut and an outdoorsy.) I have a very high pain tolerance, and I don't take medication for anything. One ibuprofen to me is like morphine, because I just don't take anything unless pain is absolutely overbearing.
One morning, this past year, I woke up with gout pain in BOTH ankles. That's right both ANKLES at the same time. Crutches, canes, soft shoes, nothing will help in this situation. You need at least one working foot to not be wheelchair bound, and I was fresh out of wheelchairs. I called my supervisor and conferenced in the director of H.R. and explained what was going on. I was then allowed to work remotely from home for as long as I needed until I recovered, with full credit for my hours worked.
I'm very glad I work for a company with these principles. I could do my job, I could carry-on the day to day responsibility of Unix systems, I just couldn't walk or drive. Since I explained my condition to my employer gout attack scenarios have become much smoother. I only get gout attacks once or twice a year, but when they occur I have the option of working from home, not wearing shoes into work, and no one thinks less of me for my condition. I wish I had done this years ago instead of hiding it.
If you suffer from gout attacks, and it effects your employment, talk to your employer and explain it to them! Don't use gout as an excuse to get out of work and still get paid, but let them know what is going on! Be honest about what is causing your sick days and tardiness, and I bet that you & your employer will work out some sort of arrangement when gout strikes. My case and input has developed an entire, company wide gout policy which allows employees to still work, and earn, while they have verified gout symptoms.
If I had it all to do over again I would probably arrange a sit down with my H.R. director and supervisor and lay it all out on the line for them. This would have most likely done more good than harm, and at least there would have been no surprises in store for them. What I'm trying to say is this: If you occasionally or frequently get Gout, talk to your employer. You just might be able to develop scenarios where you are still useful and profitable while suffering the symptoms, and you can remain employed.