loopylorns

So as some of you know 7 weeks ago I got a herniated disc and sciatica and hubbys boss was a complete arse about him working from home for 2 days and basically was threatened with him being sacked.

Still in pain have not been able to drive for 7 weeks etc so was scheduled for MRI this morning at the earliest time of 8.30am.

I picked this time so not to interfere with hubbies work to much.

This morning the company had system problems with an system from an outside company, it was beyond any other member of staff to call these people and get it sorted so guess what happenend?

A rather nice call to hubby of raised voice, the inclusion of this is not the first time its happened etc

Net result my MRI scan was cancelled with 20 mins notice ( bill comming my way) and hubby hot footed it into work.

What is wrong with these people here?

miss scouse atl

His boss sounds like an a$$hole!. Talk about un-sympathetic

ironporer

And hubby sounds like a wimp. "I'm sorry- I am at the Doctor with my wife, as I told you I would be... I can't come right now, but I will be in as soon as we are finished" would have been my reply.

Maybe he should have taken a vacation day?

Lycanthrop

Now, now.......most people are very intimidated by the US working environment. Its only after you've been shafted a few times you finally say "fvck it.....I've had enough of this cr@p"

I worked 16 frigging hours the other day and at midnight I told my lead that I'd be a bit late in the morning........he looked at me funny and started some mealy-mouthed justification for being "on-time" to which I just said goodnight and I'll see you around 10 or 11.

I dragged in at noon....... No comment was made......

.......course in your trade, they'd never find the body.........

loopylorns

Vacation days are a joke!

last year we had a vacation and they had probs and was ordered to get on a plane and get to the US office.

He did not go but really theres just no way we should have moved here after that but we did.

With a H1B visa you are so vulnerable, if they sack you your out of here pretty quickly.

miss scouse atl

Looks like I have a lot to learn . Im about to start my first job over here and now Im scared!

Leeds_Lass

Not every US employer is the same! Sounds like your hubby is on call as part of his job and works for some demanding people to boot. They sound like arseholes too. Asking him to cut short vacation and get on a plane? Fk that!

I've worked for people in the UK who've gone mental at the mere thought of taking a day off for sick spouse etc. So it works both ways.

Sounds to me like you'd be better off if hubby looked for another job with more a understanding employer. They do exist over here you know .

loopylorns

No hes not on call, they just arses really thats the end of it.

Lycanthrop

Errrrr, I've had 10 jobs in America and can honestly say I'd only go back to 2 of them if I had to choose (different line of work now). There is quite definately a trend of employer abuse at worst and apathy at best.....

As a side-note, working here on contract (ie: a temp) has been absolutely wonderfull and I've never had such a good attitude towards work......it just took 2 kin' decades to suss it out.

Leeds_Lass

Ugh Loopy. How protected are you under your H1B visa? I mean, if you have another medical appointment for example, and hubs were to be called in again and told them to fk right off? Do you live in a right to work state? Would right to work even affect H1B visa?

I feel for you if you are being forced to bow down to the employers for the sake of the visa.

Edited my initial post. Maybe I've been lucky with employers or maybe the attitude here is different.

Duncan Roberts

I've worked both sides and in the middle so agree that not all companies are bad.

First job sucked, no vacation at all, you generally had to work the holidays and get a day back you could take, needed a doctors note if you were ill, needed an obituary if you called off because of a funeral, stupidly high insurance costs, no retirement plan and were generally made to feel like crap most of the time.

Second was in the middle. Got vacation which started the 1st of the year after you started the job, 2 weeks and a week of sick time. Retirement plan after a year, insurance but no dental. They made you take sick time to go to the doctors and you couldn't work from home. Bad pay and there was generally a big divide between the workers and the bosses.

Third and current is excellent. Vacation from day 1. Retirement after 3 months. Let you work from home when needed, even with about 10 minutes notice. Have been excellent with doctors appointments. The owners are usually around and treat everyone like equals.

I guess it's just the luck of the draw, it's still not like England though. When I was talking to a friend last year he said he was taking off September. I asked him which week and his reply..."No, I'm taking off September" The annoying thing was that was only half his yearly time off!

agostinism

Don't be. Mean individuals are everywhere, and that is a fact of life here in the US or anywhere else. If something like a health issue is stopping you from work just refer to your employment guidelines. You should be entitled to at least a personal day, 2 days for sickness without having to justify it (some companies require that if you take more than 3 days, then you need a doctors note) and then your vacation days, which it is up to you when to use them. Again I am providing you the bare minimum.

In this particular case I have to agree this kind of attitude from a boss is completely unprofessional. You can always make your case that you and your family come first. In fact if you get sacked you can sue your employer if your wife or children's health is used as a reason for termination.


Cheers!

loopylorns

Leeds_Lass I really dont know the answer to your question.

My understanding is that if they sack him they have to notify the visagency immediately and our visa is cancelled meaning we are here illegally and have to leave the country.

I am not sure if they are responsible for the costs in getting us home or not.

I do need to get this MRI done, also I have to have an EMG done in 2 weeks time.

I will look into the right to work thing-no idea what its about.

RE editing your post, I did not take it in a neg way so no worries there, we all have different experiences here. Lucky yours a good.

Elvira

Perhaps you'd care to explain how this would work, since an H1b + family have 10 days to leave the US upon termination of employment?

loopylorns

Thank you Elvira,

I wondered how long it was, do you know anything about repat costs?