need some advice

Hey, we may need to rename you Bob Cratchett! Who is this Scrooge you are working for?

I would prepare a writing of some kind, say a memo or email or letter, documenting what you found on March 1 when you returned to work. That has to be someone else's problem, caused while you were gone. Then I would submit a time line that you can live with to get the inventory done eventually. You might point out there is some slippage because of the state it was in when you returned. You can't be the only Walgreen's where the inventory and 9 months of other problems exist, but you may be the only one with you returning from a life threatening illness. In your memo I would detail the problems and the solutions you have arranged already. In any employment situation it's best to document everything. Ebeneezer may not appreciate your paper trail, but like the cancer treatment, he is stuck with it.
I'm sure someone else will have some other or better ideas as well. Hang on. No stress results in bordeom, too much stress results in confusion and inaction. Try to modify your stress to the appropriate level for your comfort and push on, with or without your supervisor's empathy. Good Luck!!!

Bruce -

johnom makes a very valid point about documenting the status of the store when you returned. Nanuk's comments made me wonder something else... Is it possible that Walgreen's is trying to push you out? You may be able to build a case for wrongful discharge. I would also check with an attorney and verify if you don't have some protection under the Americans With Disabilities Act - I honestly don't know, but it might be worth $30 to find out.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Hang in there buddy.

- Bob

Hi Bruce,
I think I understand the emotions of what you're going through. I went back to work only 5 weeks post surgery (no chemo). I've got a very stressful job and thought I was ready to go back. Afterall, I was friends with my boss and a couple of my immediate co-workers so it would be an easy transition back. My boss even said to "take it easy". WRONG! By the third day I was already back to 10-11 hour days with my boss giving me tight timelines. Also some very tough issues to deal with as soon as I returned to work--which would have been difficult to deal with without cancer. I thought the same as you...they weren't giving me any breaks...don't they remember I had cancer? I'm seeing a therapist to learn to cope with a diagnosis of cancer and we talk at length about fitting back in at work. For me, I realized I just don't have patience anymore for some of the stuff I used to routinely deal with. I don't think they are treating me any different from before my surgery, and I don't think any of the issues I'm dealing with are any different. I'm in a differnt frame of mind these days and find my response to things is different. Your job may not be any different from before you left--your boss and co-workers cannot possibly know what you've been through. They see you as yourself and assume you can handle everything the same as when you left. But just in case, you might want to follow the advice the others posted.
Howard

Bruce, my hubby is the Director of Maintenance at a golf club. It is very stressful, but his company has been very understanding. While he was going through chemo, a lot of his decisions were made over the phone.

From what I know, a company cannot discriminate because of illness. But like Nanuk said, there could be a problem with insurance. Good luck to you.

By the way, what part of Jersey are you from? I am originally from Belleville/Nutley area.

Linda (now in Baltimore)

Hi Bruce,
It stinks to be in the situation you are in; takes me back to my old job. I took nearly 6 weeks off after surgery, then took another 2 months off during chemo and went on short term disability. I had completed the paperwork to have my Family Medical Leave approved for 3 months after I used all my sick and vacation time. I had worked for this non-profit health care company for 5 years, excellent performance evals, thought my boss and I got along well....she called on the afternoon of my last chemo treatment (the week my leave was up; I had asked for a 4 week extension for additional, unrelated thyroid surgery) to tell me that they would not be able to continue to hold my position open. As SB suggested, I consulted a labor attorney, who said they were within their legal rights, but ethically they stunk. I did have all my requests for leave and letters to my exec. I then wrote to the head of the company, asking why I was not able to be accomodated in my request for 4 more weeks. Turns out the key word is "accomodate" as the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that any person with a disability be reasonably "accomodated". My lawyer thinks the language scared them; I was offered another position in the company with a new boss and with no break in service. I thought I would work there while looking for another position.Turns out it is actually a better job than I had, and I've since gotten a pay increase!
What did I learn? Not to count on my employer understanding or looking out for me; being clear about my need to look out for myself, and being willing to settle for some type of employment as it is easier to find a job when you have one and have less explaining to do. I was also able to build back my own strength at my own pace. Not sure if this helps, but you have my sympathy. Hope it all falls into place for you. Judy