I work in a High School Cafeteria in Indiana. Our Boss wants more of us trained for Cashiers. I volunteered and was told by my boss No because Of my Learning Disabilities. I have a weakness with Math. Thus, I can not be trained to use a cash register. I have previous cash register experience and I attended Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana for 3 years, leaving school due to my Husband finishing his degree and my pregnancy. I'm hardly too stupid to learn how to use a cash register and I have no Criminal Record, which the school checks before hiring me. I can not understand why they feel I'm too ignorant to train me. I am protected under the ADA. They know this and they still refuse to train me because of my math learning disability.
Then today, I was informed by my boss I will be denied the opportunity to get more hours because of my medical condition to the cold. I have a Dr. Slip confirming my allergy to being cold, thus why I can not be working in the freezer for long periods of time. They have known since hiring me last year. I was scheduled to work in the walk in freezer every other week for the entire school year. I did my best but was in a great deal of pain. I raised my shirt and showed my bosses what I look like covered in burning welts of hives after working in the freezer. They didn't care. They kept me on the freezer rotation for the entire school year anyway. I can do anything they ask of me. I can cook, clean etc.. Most of these tasks I have done with no training. I can work in the freezer but only for a few minutes. We have 1 week on and 1 week off freezer rotation, and the same people are scheduled for this the entire year. As well as others for working on the dry storage room and other storage room. 2 week rotations. I volunteered for any dry room rotation to stack boxes when deliveries come in etc .. Just the same work as the freezer. My offer went ignored. I can not work 30-45 mins. + like they had me doing in the freezer. Other employees have medical conditions such as back and knee and can not do repetitive motion or lift more than 30 lbs etc... The school understand, accepts those limitations and works with them. They are not denied work or denied the opportunity to come in earlier when an extra hand is needed. When I asked my Boss why My medical condition would be treated any differently than those with these problems, she informed me it doesn't prevent any of them from doing their jobs. This is not true. I asked one of the girls today what her limitations are at work and she told me. I asked how the school treats this and she said they understand and they work around it. It's not an issue. The School has known since before this school year started I wanted more hours. I was promised more hours several times. I need more hours especially because my husband is going to lose his job any day (company closing). I have been promised I'm at the top of the list, as recently as last week. Now I'm being told I will not be given the opportunity to come in earlier for any work need (freezer or other) due to my allergy to the cold. It makes no sense to me what so ever and I'm tired of this. I need help and I don't know what more to do. I'm also scared if I pursue this, they will fire me. Text
If you feel you are being discriminated against because of your learning disability, your best option is to speak with a discrimination attorney. Many offer free consultations, so it couldn't hurt to speak with one.
As far as being fired for taking legal action, you shouldn't worry. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who exercise their rights under the law, including the ADA. Good luck.
Chasity
10-20-2009 @ 5:09 PM