'No one at the top is returning my calls': Job revokes employee's work from home accommodations despite medical issues, learns they're trying to get him to quit

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Oct 16, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

Employers can find shady ways to send messages. In this case, their method was not only shady but also unethical. Furthermore, the employee may have grounds to dispute this sudden change because of their medical issues. To the employers out there who are hoping to put an end to working remotely, believe it or not, some of these remote employees have valid accommodations that must be honored. Why enforce these changes when you might end up with a lawsuit on your hands? 

This thread was posted to Reddit by u/flebilis, who was one of these remote employees with medical issues that required him to work from home. However, out of nowhere, his bosses revoked those accommodations and enforced in-person work the following Monday. Based on the reactions of many folks in the comments section, it seems like there is an ulterior motive here. They want this guy to quit, and it's up to him to figure out how to go about this in a way that maximizes his own interests. Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the varied suggestions from commenters on Reddit.

For more stories like this, here is one about a teacher's drama with a coworker.

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  • 01
    Computer - FR "Job just revoked my accommodation to work remotely." Z 6 command P D с P F T V V G Y B H U J $ M P
    via Chris Montgomery
  • 02
    Font - Job just revoked accommodation remotely. my to work I've been on a remote work accommodation for like 5yrs due to medical issues. I was even called this week and told I was doing a great job.
    via u/flebilis
  • 03
    Font - Then they suddenly sent me a message saying no employee is allowed to work from home starting next week. I'm the only one that does. The only employee that received that new policy is me. We all know each other.
    via u/flebilis
  • 04
    Font - It's been 3 hours since that message and I still have tasks assigned to me. No one at the top is returning my calls or messages.
    via u/flebilis
  • 05
    Font - I guess I can kind of take the hint but what should I even expect here. Are they going to try to ignore me until that day comes and then just call it a no show as some kind of strategy to avoid unemployment? What should I do to protect myself legally? Fwiw this is an at will state and the business is under 50 employees.
    via u/flebilis
  • 06
    Font - D CatchMeIfYouCan09. 18 hr. ago Just don't go in. Go to your Dr and resubmit your documents on Monday. If they message you tell em; it's a medical accommodation and revoking it after 5yrs of complying is grounds for an ADA complaint. 2.0k Reply Share
    via u/flebilis
  • 07
    Font - flebilis OP 18 hr. ago Man that's tricky because it takes a long time to see my dr and it's expensive on this insurance. Would be a waste of money that I really really need if I'm going to be unemployed. Also I thought really small companies didn't have to comply with ADA? There was no paperwork they just allowed it. I could still get said paperwork but they said they're too small to accept that. It's why I couldn't ever get fmla Reply Share 544 :
    via u/flebilis
  • 08
    Font - MagnoliaMight 18 hr. ago . Polish your resume and ask for a grace period for the 'transition'. Spend the whole grace period rage applying for remote work. 740 Reply Share
    via u/flebilis
  • 09
    Font - flebilis OP 18 hr. ago Yeah I'll definitely try to find new work. I'm just trying to figure out why they're behaving this way and if it's because they can say I didn't show up to work, which would mean I can't get unemployment while looking for new jobs. 309 Reply Share
    via u/flebilis
  • 10
    Font - JoeFas 18 hr. ago ADA accommodations are required for employers with at least 15 employees, so there is a chance you'd have a successful complaint. 226 Reply Share
    via u/flebilis
  • 11
    Font - Kingalthor 18 hr. ago I'd probably contact an employment lawyer. Changing the place of work might be considered constructive dismissal. So you might qualify for unemployment if they fire you for not coming in. 160 Reply Share
    via u/flebilis
  • 12
    Font - flebilis OP 18 hr. ago So I'd have to contact an unemployment lawyer before filing correct? Or file unemployment then contact one if denied? 50 Reply Share
    via u/flebilis
  • 13
    Font - Kingalthor 18 hr. ago Well its probably worth contacting one first. Since there might be other avenues we aren't thinking of, like creating a hostile environment or retaliation for something. But if you don't have the time or money, then filing for unemployment and fighting if denied is not a bad option.
    via u/flebilis
  • 14
    Human body - zertoman 17 hr. ago "There is no paperwork" you've got a problem.
    via u/flebilis
  • 15
    Font - flebilis OP 17 hr. ago I was afraid so. They never accepted it in writing to begin with and said we can't do that but then let me anyways. I thought since the business was so small, they simply didn't have to comply anyways. I guess I never expected them to behave this way. They kept acting like we can all trust each other here for the longest time. I'm so gullible
    via u/flebilis
  • 16
    Font - xftwitch 17 hr. ago They've given you an Or Else. If you choose not to go into the office, you are being let go through no fault of your own. You would qualify for Unemployment. Just out of curiosity, how senior are you? Over the age of 50? Make a lot of money compared to others? That's more likely the reason they're letting you go.
    via u/flebilis
  • 17
    Font - flebilis OP 17 hr. ago Not at all. I'm in my late 30s. I make way under the typical wage for my title. They've given me excellent performance reviews. I'm honestly so confused.
    via u/flebilis
  • 18
    Font - I_Stabbed_Jon_Snow 16 hr. ago . They are hoping you quit. Do not, under any circumstances, do that as it will most likely invalidate any legal ability to seek compensation/unemployment
    via u/flebilis

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