Prob. w/work - need to explain why the phone causes me pain - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

lecach · 03-31-2006, 11:58 AM

First some background. I have had problems for 20 years - ever since a wreck when I was 16. I've had 3 or 4 surgeries. The last one was in 2002 to put the cartilage back in place. It lasted a year. For the most part now as long as I watch what I eat (no chewy food) and dont talk TOO much I am okay. I have a flare up about every 6 months or so.

Now for the current problem: I was working for a small company. I had to serve as the receptionist but we only got 10 or so calls a day. A large corporation bought us out. As part of the trasition they assigned me to the admin dept. When they called to tell me about it they said that in addition to office support I would cover the phones while the lead admin went to lunch or was out sick or on vacation. I didnt love this but thought I could handle it. On my fourth day here the lead admin decides she wants us to split the phones - I would be on the switchboard 1/2 day EVERY day. I knew right away that this would cause my TMJ to flare up. So I told her that. Now its been sent to corporate and the corporate HR lady is really being difficult. She doesnt understand why the phone bothers me more than regular talking. I told her regular does too but the phone is an added stress on my jaw. I had to get a Dr.s note which wasnt enough info. Now on Monday I have to sign a release allowing her to talk to my Dr. My Dr. LOVES me - he'll do anything to support me. So I plan to talk to him BEFORE she can. The HR people keep saying "well the phones are a part of the job....". Trying to make it sound like I knew what was going to happen right away and that I did not report my problem. I told them exactly what I was told - and that I didnt think the initial levels I was told about would be a problem. So I didnt mention my TMJ.

Any advice? Does anyone else find that the phone really bothers them?

laskalady · 04-01-2006, 12:07 AM

Wow, you and I are having the same problem! I started my job as a data entry rep, and this is what I was hired for. However, all of a sudden they shut down our department and want me to go to phones/customer service. I told them flat out, I have TMJ and if I talked all day on the phones it would damage my joints furthere, which it does. Talking all day wears my muscles out..I love my present job, but they are constantly trying to get me out of it. I had to bring in a doctor's note to prove to them I had a TMJ problem. I am on splint therapy and my doctor wrote up a good letter for me. Well see what happens, but I think its ridiculous how these jobs start us on one thing then flip the script once you're there. They dont understand our problems and all they want to do is get what they want out of the deal. I understand your pain. I cant beleive they actually want to TALK to your doctor, what a joke! I think they are trying to pressure you into doing the phones by making you feel that they can fire you, but keep fighting! If they have a doctors note they can even get into trouble so hopefully they'll give in and let you do paperwork, and light phones. I didnt tell my job that I had TMJ when I started either, b/c it was irrelevant for my job. I hope everything works out for you and let me know how it goes!