OH my I can understand about the double standard. I went through that too My
supervisor was out a whole week the day before I was fired for missing one
day due to a flare. He said he had a cold and couldn't come to work. I know
what you mean. I really wish I knew what to say or do but I don't. I do
understand though.
Please hang in there ok?

heehee, can't blame you at all.  Perhaps you should make some "polite
inquiries" about the standards one must meet to qualify for sick days?  Is a
doctor's confirmation good enough, or do you only get of if you have the
current bug going around......  I'd have such a hard time keeping my mouth
shut....... I can hear my husband in my mind saying "Be careful - we need
your paycheck and the health insurance!"  (I heard this several times in the
waning years of my last job.)

Out of curiousity, when were you diagnosed with RA?  Did you notify
your employer of the diagnosis?  There are many lawyers who will do a
first visit consultation with no charge.  You can ask one about what
your options are.  As far as ADA is concerned.

In my job (former) in my state (Colorado), the company I worked for
would have had to accommodate my disability because I was diagnosed 3
years after I was initially hired.  It wasn't like I was hiding it when
I was interviewed...

I used to do the sick thing with my bosses (all of 'em).  I might miss
3 or 4 days a year (usually in a group), and then not miss anything
else.  They'd get the sniffles and call in.  I'd be puking in the
ladies' room and still at work (hey it was Food Stamps/Medicaid,
missing time was just putting yourself under a larger work strain),
since I got it from the kids that moms couldn't find any caregivers
for...  Figured I'd just give it back to 'em.

Best of luck to you.  You have my empathy, my sympathy, and some
strong, broad shoulders if you wanna cry on 'em.

Smokie Darling (Annie)

I think the problem is that you really need to be able to walk around
in your job-that seems to be the nature of it. (I know you posted about
trying to find something else physically easier.)I was a primary
teacher for 15 years-I stood up all day long sometimes for 8 hours at a
time. I also stood on stools while putting up and taking down bulletin
boards/decorations, carried boxes of books, lifted children (don't
ask), opened paint and glue all day, took out staples, put in paper
fasteners etc. When I was really sick with my thyroid I missed on and
off almost two years of work (government job=crappy pay but great
disability) and couldn't believe how hard I had been working-I have
been told by all my doctors that the physical and mental stress
probably even brought on my autoimmune disorders. This year is my 16th
year and since I'm not feeling well I started subbing (working day to
day)and not working all week. On the days when I stupidly allow myself
to stand all the time and do other physical stuff I can barely move the
next couple of days. I have finally had to admit that I will have to
find something else to do. It isn't the job, it's my physical
limitations. So what I'm trying to say :) is that it sounds like you
really need to find a job where you aren't standing and walking all day
(or night)I'm so sorry about what you're going through, believe me I
understand and I hope you can think of something that will be easier on
you physically. And it does sound unfair with your boss as well-that's
a totally unfair situation.

Hey Ben...

I am praying another job will open up for you.  My last job was quite nice
for folks in our position.  But I literally sat for 8 hours  day...so I had
to be pretty sick not to show up.

Research your rights.  Keep notes.  I do not remember what state you live
in, but there are laws that protect you.  Unfortunately they cannot change
your boss' attitude toward you.

Pass out hand sanitizer at work..and tell everyone how nasty those sniffles
must be!!!  LOL  When your boss walks by...shoot her with the Lysol can!

Janet R