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Hello, I rarely post on here, but I have a concern that I need to discuss before taking it further. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, had surgery, chemo and radiation, and then was put on Tamoxifen, which was stopped at the beginning of the year because I could no longer tolerate it. My workplace have been aware of my cancer history for over a year.
I recently started receiving treatment with Zolodex and Letrizole, and within a week was experiencing neausea, vomiting and headaches from it, which gradually increased, but now seems to be easing off a bit. I have had to leave work early three times since then, and also had a day off sick, but in return, have worked extra hours other days, and have always completed my work in full as required. So I put a request in at my workplace two weeks ago to work temporary flexible hours until the side effects edged off a bit. Yesterday I was called in to a meeting with the HR manager, CFO, and accountant to discuss my request. But, basically, my ability to complete my job working flexible hours was hardly discussed. Instead, the CFO (male) quizzed me on exactly what side effects I was experiencing, how sick I really was, how long it would last, why it was necessary for me to have this treatment, what other treatments I had undergone in the past, and exactly how the treatment was diagnosed. He even basically asked why I would agree to take a treatment when I knew it may affect my ability to be at work. I was almost expecting the next question to be for me to show him proof I had really had breast cancer, as most of the time he was staring at my chest while firing these questions at me. It made me very uncomfortable, I felt harrassed, ashamed and embarrassed. I also felt as if I was obliged to answer every question, in full detail (down to how many times I had actually vomited during certain days, as well as having to describe the appointments with my oncologist, share everything that was discussed between us, and the experience of going into the chemotherapy unit to get the Zoladex injection), before he would even consider the possibility of me working flexi hours. During all this, the other two ladies present hardly said a word, just sat there and let it happen. Once the meeting ended I felt so violated that I had to go to the ladies bathroom and basically sat down and cried. When I later in the day came face-to-face with the CFO again, I nearly cried again, and had to turn around and walk away without saying anything. I didn't even get granted the full right to work flexi hours, as I was told it is my personal choice if I work more than the 80 hours a fortnight I am contracted to do, but if I ever worked less than they would take it out of my pay.
After I got home last night I was so upset about the experience I spent most of the night thinking about how I had been made to feel, and how I didn't want to ever have to be put through that experience again. So this morning, I went in to work early, wrote out a resignation letter stating how the experience had made me feel, and that rather than exposing myself to those feelings of harrassment again, I was handing in my resignation effective immediately. I left this on the desks of the HR manager and CFO, and walked out before they even got to work.
The ironic thing is, after all that, the initial side effects seem to be easing off a bit now.
My question is, do I have the right to feel so harrassed and upset, or is it normal to expect that treatment from a male manager? My family think I should take this further, rather than just resigning and leaving it at that. The HR manager only just tried phoning me, at 5pm, but I didn't want to take her call, as I still feel betrayed by her not stopping the interrogation. I know she will call again in the morning, and I am not sure how to handle it.
44 YO single. DX June 2010, IDC Grade 3, T2, 2.7cm, 3 nodes positive, 14 removed, Oestrogen+, HER2-, LB lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, Tamoxifen initially but now Zoladex and Letrizole.
Support Services Coordinator at BCCWA
Thanks Lucinda. I spoke to the cancer council, and they also agree that it was very wrong, and have given me a list of numbers to contact regarding legal advice. I am following up on this, not only for me, but because there is another girl, much younger than me, who has to go for a very personal surgery in December, and hasn't informed work yet. I would hate for her to be subjected to the same experience.
44 YO single. DX June 2010, IDC Grade 3, T2, 2.7cm, 3 nodes positive, 14 removed, Oestrogen+, HER2-, LB lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, Tamoxifen initially but now Zoladex and Letrizole.
Support Services Coordinator at BCCWA
44 YO single. DX June 2010, IDC Grade 3, T2, 2.7cm, 3 nodes positive, 14 removed, Oestrogen+, HER2-, LB lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, Tamoxifen initially but now Zoladex and Letrizole.
Support Services Coordinator at BCCWA
69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC. The journey continues..
Thanks Sue. I'm exploring my legal options at the moment. Even though all agree there is definitely a harrassment case, costs have to come in to it as well. The firm recommended by the Cancer Council charge $660 just for the first hour! With no income at the moment I need to find a cheaper option, hopefully the lawyers who dealt with my divorce can help me.
On another note, off for Zoladex injection number 2 tomorrow, hopefully this month I won't feel as bad.
44 YO single. DX June 2010, IDC Grade 3, T2, 2.7cm, 3 nodes positive, 14 removed, Oestrogen+, HER2-, LB lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, Tamoxifen initially but now Zoladex and Letrizole.
69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC. The journey continues..
Support Services Coordinator at BCCWA
Hi Lucinda. I have a lawyer looking at it for me. And, luckily, a previous workplace heard I was looking for work and offered me a position, which makes me very happy, as I really enjoyed working there. It's only part-time work, and I left that job to go work full-time in the job where I have had all this trouble, but, at least I was happy there and had no issues like this!
44 YO single. DX June 2010, IDC Grade 3, T2, 2.7cm, 3 nodes positive, 14 removed, Oestrogen+, HER2-, LB lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, Tamoxifen initially but now Zoladex and Letrizole.
Support Services Coordinator at BCCWA
