Comments on: Chronic illness. It’s a threat to the health of the world economy. http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2008/06/04/chronic-illness-its-a-threat-to-the-health-of-the-world-economy/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:44:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: health wellness programs in the workplace http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2008/06/04/chronic-illness-its-a-threat-to-the-health-of-the-world-economy/#comment-3825 health wellness programs in the workplace Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:41:06 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/?p=326#comment-3825 [...] [...] […] […]

]]> By: Rosalind http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2008/06/04/chronic-illness-its-a-threat-to-the-health-of-the-world-economy/#comment-3661 Rosalind Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:06:39 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/?p=326#comment-3661 Thanks for doing that research. I'm going to link to your response on my other blog, http://Working WithChronicIllness.com to get some input. I don't think a letter writing campaign or anything will change the laws to protect workers more -- or change the hearts or minds of employers in the US. There's too much financial investment -- and cultural incentive - in working this way. Which makes it difficult for any of us who can't keep up. Thanks for doing that research. I’m going to link to your response on my other blog, http://Working WithChronicIllness.com to get some input. I don’t think a letter writing campaign or anything will change the laws to protect workers more — or change the hearts or minds of employers in the US. There’s too much financial investment — and cultural incentive - in working this way. Which makes it difficult for any of us who can’t keep up.

]]> By: Amy Clouse http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2008/06/04/chronic-illness-its-a-threat-to-the-health-of-the-world-economy/#comment-3660 Amy Clouse Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:47:13 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/?p=326#comment-3660 Well, I decided to do a bit of research. Too many CI friends and acquaintances are struggling with this issue of how many hours they're being asked to work - the intimation being, if you can't work the long hours, you can't do the job, bye-bye! And the realization that, if in every job description they put down that the company can't survive unless the employees can all work super long hours at the company's will, they could undermine the ADA even more than it's already threatened. It was propped up a bit recently - but IMO it's a pretty tenable "propping up" job that could go under at any time. And this is one of the things that could bring it to its knees. So, under the assumption that in a country where legislative bodies have in some cases legislated the positions into which married couples can get when engating in intimate physical activity, surely there has to be a law saying that no one can be required to work over a certain number of hours per week. Maybe it would say 50 or 60, not 40, but there would be SOME limit...Imagine my dismay to go to http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/regs/compliance/hrg.htm and find out that the FSLA (Federal Labor Standards Act) does not limit the number of hours an employee can be required to work! In fact, they don't even mandate meal and other breaks, leaving that up to the corporation. Hourly employees have to get OT for hours over 40 per week, but if the employer decided it was to their benefit to cough up OT v. hiring more workers, there's nothing there saying that the employer can't literally tell employees they have to work 24/7. An extreme illustration - but when I was overseas with my now-retired military spouse and came back to the US after years out of country, I learned that while I love the USA, it's NUTS over here and this is a country of extremes. I sincerely believe the middle ground is anathema to most Americans. What do you think? Aside from comments, blogs, posts, would you say that if all CI sufferers - including executives who as you point out do answer to the company's board members and stockholders - might want to consider a massive letter writing, phone calling, and emailing campaign even if their state is one of the few that does limit hours? Push with their respective lawmakers for a federal law that limits the number of hours employees can be required to work to something reasonable, with limited exceptions for emergency situations? I know that things happen in business where it's necessary to work longer hours - but I believe that if this was the exception and not the rule, we'd all be healthier - and there would be more jobs to go around as the companies and their stockholders/boards woul d have to hire more peole to get the job done! We can't afford large amounts of people out of work and on disability; we need to keep people working when they want to do so. And that's not going to happen if we exhaust everyone and there's no law on the books to stop it. Medical errors took a dive when regulatory agencies and lawmakers put laws on the books to force people to do the right thing. It's a shame it takes a law for people to do the right thing, but that's the way it is. Well, I decided to do a bit of research. Too many CI friends and acquaintances are struggling with this issue of how many hours they’re being asked to work - the intimation being, if you can’t work the long hours, you can’t do the job, bye-bye! And the realization that, if in every job description they put down that the company can’t survive unless the employees can all work super long hours at the company’s will, they could undermine the ADA even more than it’s already threatened. It was propped up a bit recently - but IMO it’s a pretty tenable “propping up” job that could go under at any time. And this is one of the things that could bring it to its knees.
So, under the assumption that in a country where legislative bodies have in some cases legislated the positions into which married couples can get when engating in intimate physical activity, surely there has to be a law saying that no one can be required to work over a certain number of hours per week. Maybe it would say 50 or 60, not 40, but there would be SOME limit…Imagine my dismay to go to http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/regs/compliance/hrg.htm and find out that the FSLA (Federal Labor Standards Act) does not limit the number of hours an employee can be required to work! In fact, they don’t even mandate meal and other breaks, leaving that up to the corporation. Hourly employees have to get OT for hours over 40 per week, but if the employer decided it was to their benefit to cough up OT v. hiring more workers, there’s nothing there saying that the employer can’t literally tell employees they have to work 24/7. An extreme illustration - but when I was overseas with my now-retired military spouse and came back to the US after years out of country, I learned that while I love the USA, it’s NUTS over here and this is a country of extremes. I sincerely believe the middle ground is anathema to most Americans.
What do you think? Aside from comments, blogs, posts, would you say that if all CI sufferers - including executives who as you point out do answer to the company’s board members and stockholders - might want to consider a massive letter writing, phone calling, and emailing campaign even if their state is one of the few that does limit hours? Push with their respective lawmakers for a federal law that limits the number of hours employees can be required to work to something reasonable, with limited exceptions for emergency situations? I know that things happen in business where it’s necessary to work longer hours - but I believe that if this was the exception and not the rule, we’d all be healthier - and there would be more jobs to go around as the companies and their stockholders/boards woul d have to hire more peole to get the job done!
We can’t afford large amounts of people out of work and on disability; we need to keep people working when they want to do so. And that’s not going to happen if we exhaust everyone and there’s no law on the books to stop it. Medical errors took a dive when regulatory agencies and lawmakers put laws on the books to force people to do the right thing. It’s a shame it takes a law for people to do the right thing, but that’s the way it is.

]]> By: Rosalind http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2008/06/04/chronic-illness-its-a-threat-to-the-health-of-the-world-economy/#comment-3219 Rosalind Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:41:36 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/?p=326#comment-3219 Czes, Although the book is directed for women, many of the issues are the same. We're glad you're here. I agree - no need ever to worry about future since we're here now. That's why we want to know what's happening now - that we can use to OUR advantage. How is it going for you? FYI - you might want to chck out my other blog, WorkingWithChronicIllness.com - since this one has become less topical and more focused on book release info. Czes, Although the book is directed for women, many of the issues are the same. We’re glad you’re here. I agree - no need ever to worry about future since we’re here now. That’s why we want to know what’s happening now - that we can use to OUR advantage. How is it going for you? FYI - you might want to chck out my other blog, WorkingWithChronicIllness.com - since this one has become less topical and more focused on book release info.

]]> By: Czes Kulvis http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2008/06/04/chronic-illness-its-a-threat-to-the-health-of-the-world-economy/#comment-3217 Czes Kulvis Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:00:18 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/?p=326#comment-3217 What a nice future we got. Honestly, I don't need to dive into a future - I'm already quite well acquainted with Multiple Sclerosis. I realise - this article is for ladies, but I was reading it with interest. Thank you What a nice future we got.

Honestly, I don’t need to dive into a future - I’m already quite well acquainted with Multiple Sclerosis.

I realise - this article is for ladies, but I was reading it with interest.

Thank you

]]> By: Rosalind http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2008/06/04/chronic-illness-its-a-threat-to-the-health-of-the-world-economy/#comment-2999 Rosalind Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:39:21 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/?p=326#comment-2999 And your opinion is welcome, I'd say. All that you say is true. Except that I have clients who are those CEO's or CFO's or managing directors -- and they don't want anyone to know that they live with CI -- anymore than you do. Because they know that the stockholders, board of directors or the people who work for them won't put up with their "limitations". It's not just about worker' compensation benefits. I think we've fostered a culture of no one is indispensible - and that leaves everyone afraid. That's bad for everyone's health - not just people with CI. And your opinion is welcome, I’d say. All that you say is true. Except that I have clients who are those CEO’s or CFO’s or managing directors — and they don’t want anyone to know that they live with CI — anymore than you do. Because they know that the stockholders, board of directors or the people who work for them won’t put up with their “limitations”. It’s not just about worker’ compensation benefits. I think we’ve fostered a culture of no one is indispensible - and that leaves everyone afraid. That’s bad for everyone’s health - not just people with CI.

]]> By: Amy Clouse http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/2008/06/04/chronic-illness-its-a-threat-to-the-health-of-the-world-economy/#comment-2998 Amy Clouse Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:20:13 +0000 http://keepworkinggirlfriend.com/?p=326#comment-2998 Sure, chronic illness a threat to the world economy - the statistics are that over 50% of the US population has a chronic illness and the world figures are probably close. The global corporations often force you into going onto disability and unemployment to live in poverty. If you don't have money to spend after you pay for the bare necessities of life and your medical treatments, how will you stimulate the economy by making purchases that increase demand and cause business growth and more jobs? And that's not all. How can less than half of our population support more than half on welfare, unemployment, disabilty? How can we afford to lose that many people's talents, that many people's desire to work and produce, in this world, just because we're afraid the health insurance costs and accommodations will wreak havoc with the bottom line? I say what we're doing now is causing the problem - that, and the fact that if the CEO has a chronic illness, they don't have to worry about accommodations or costs with their million and billion dollar salaries! They still get to work, we don't - how is it that we cost too much but they don't? Businesses are often so untrusting of even employees who have proven their worth repeatedly. You're lucky to find one that cares at all, and not many of us can make that statement. Those like me, who can, hope they continue to be able to praise their workplace for being helpful to those with chronic illnesses; we wonder when they will decide suddenly that it is too much. Unfriendly workplaces track every second of break time, bathroom trips, lunch breaks, latenesses (no matter how rare), times people had to leave early (even if they took personal time to which they were entitled), conversations with other workers (even if business related) - the list goes on and on. That type of tracking takes time, money, and reduces the productivity of the people doing the tracking. Others will trust you to work - but only on the premises, not remotely. A worker may produce even more remotely than on site, and yet, it is not good enough - even though that worker will fare better with at least some remote work permissions. Still others will put you over someone who's hourly, willing to work, but refuse to pay them overtime to get the job done, instead insisting the salaried person put in long hours to meet sometimes unreasonable and even completely arbitrary guidelines. If they didn't have a chronic illness before that, they probably end up with one. Which brings me to this: How much chronic illness are we CAUSING? How many exacerbations of existing chronic illnesses? We make people sick, and we make those who are sick, sicker. And we have a "blame the victim" mentality. In a country where an idiot can win a lawsuit against a restaurant because they were driving with hot coffee propped between their legs, we wonder where personal accountability has gone. Well, it's shifted to those of us with chronic illness. We can't even get the right to accommodations in a lot of workplaces, and we're blamed for our own conditions. How about this: Let the idiot pay for their own injuries when they do something stupid, and take the saved money to help people get acoommodations for their chronic illnesses? And let's hire enough people to do the jobs we want done and quit making people sick - it would help the unemployment numbers, it would help the economy to grow, it would cut down on the overall chronic illness burden, it would mean people were much more likely to take care of themselves and do the right thing for their health. That's my opinion, anyway! Sure, chronic illness a threat to the world economy - the statistics are that over 50% of the US population has a chronic illness and the world figures are probably close. The global corporations often force you into going onto disability and unemployment to live in poverty. If you don’t have money to spend after you pay for the bare necessities of life and your medical treatments, how will you stimulate the economy by making purchases that increase demand and cause business growth and more jobs? And that’s not all.
How can less than half of our population support more than half on welfare, unemployment, disabilty? How can we afford to lose that many people’s talents, that many people’s desire to work and produce, in this world, just because we’re afraid the health insurance costs and accommodations will wreak havoc with the bottom line? I say what we’re doing now is causing the problem - that, and the fact that if the CEO has a chronic illness, they don’t have to worry about accommodations or costs with their million and billion dollar salaries! They still get to work, we don’t - how is it that we cost too much but they don’t?
Businesses are often so untrusting of even employees who have proven their worth repeatedly. You’re lucky to find one that cares at all, and not many of us can make that statement. Those like me, who can, hope they continue to be able to praise their workplace for being helpful to those with chronic illnesses; we wonder when they will decide suddenly that it is too much. Unfriendly workplaces track every second of break time, bathroom trips, lunch breaks, latenesses (no matter how rare), times people had to leave early (even if they took personal time to which they were entitled), conversations with other workers (even if business related) - the list goes on and on. That type of tracking takes time, money, and reduces the productivity of the people doing the tracking. Others will trust you to work - but only on the premises, not remotely. A worker may produce even more remotely than on site, and yet, it is not good enough - even though that worker will fare better with at least some remote work permissions. Still others will put you over someone who’s hourly, willing to work, but refuse to pay them overtime to get the job done, instead insisting the salaried person put in long hours to meet sometimes unreasonable and even completely arbitrary guidelines. If they didn’t have a chronic illness before that, they probably end up with one.
Which brings me to this: How much chronic illness are we CAUSING? How many exacerbations of existing chronic illnesses? We make people sick, and we make those who are sick, sicker. And we have a “blame the victim” mentality. In a country where an idiot can win a lawsuit against a restaurant because they were driving with hot coffee propped between their legs, we wonder where personal accountability has gone. Well, it’s shifted to those of us with chronic illness. We can’t even get the right to accommodations in a lot of workplaces, and we’re blamed for our own conditions. How about this: Let the idiot pay for their own injuries when they do something stupid, and take the saved money to help people get acoommodations for their chronic illnesses? And let’s hire enough people to do the jobs we want done and quit making people sick - it would help the unemployment numbers, it would help the economy to grow, it would cut down on the overall chronic illness burden, it would mean people were much more likely to take care of themselves and do the right thing for their health.
That’s my opinion, anyway!

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