I could really use my Dad right now.

**Don M** · 10-09-2022, 05:22 AM

Things are BAD at work right now. Really bad. I am set to retire March 31, 2023, but I called in September to see if I could retire NOW. The "good news?" The earliest they could process me out is November 30th 2022. The "bad news?" Retiring just 4 months early, would LOWER my monthly check $1,200 ($14,400/year).

God bless my wife. She KNOWS what I'm going through because it's also affecting my home life, my hobbies and my interests. But instead of telling me I COULDN'T retire now, the money difference is too great, SHE TOLD ME: "We made it work before on less, we can make it work now." I actually DID try to retire, when I called my retirement system, they told me I could do it all on line. I tried FOUR times to fill out the paperwork, but discovered there was a glitch in the system, THAT WOULDN'T LET ME COMPLETE THE PROCESS. I had a three-way call with my employer and my retirement system and was told the glitch would be fixed in a few days, to try again. So I waited and tried again. I STILL was not able to complete the process, the glitch was still there. Then they told me they would send out the hard copies of the forms and I could complete them and mail/fax them back.

SOMEONE or SOMETHING doesn't want me to retire yet, because before I received the paperwork, my doctor stepped in and took me off work, because the toxic/hostile environment was negatively affecting my health - this is what he told my employer. This was put into immediate effect on September 30th until MINIMUM October 27th, when he will reevaluate my condition. I have applied for, and most likely will be covered under the Family Medical Leave Act for short-term disability.

So from the looks of things, I will probably be off until around November 1st. Knowing my employer though, once MY doctor clears me, my employer will then put me on Administrative Leave until I'm cleared by THEIR doctor. That should be interesting, because I'm going to spill my guts about EVERYTHING.

I could really use being able to talk to my dad. I'm in uncharted territory. I'm on a medical leave for something *I* did not start, but I will finish it. My interests and hobbies are GONE. I have no desire to DO anything. TV, movies and books don't interest me at all. My car needs a clutch, a wheel bearing and is in "Limp Home Mode" right now and will not go over 3,000 rpms, which makes it almost impossible to drive. My 1st estimate was for $4,200 for everything + an oil change. I posted about it on a few Camaro forums and the flak I'm getting for "Not getting a 2nd opinion" is UNREAL. Truth is, I AM getting a 2nd opinion. It just took me a while to find a reputable shop to do it. I finally was recommended a local shop through my Camaro Club, but the appointment isn't until the 24th of this month.

My sleep is totally screwed up. I'm literally "falling down tired" by 5:00/5:30 pm and I'm getting up between 2 and 4 am, WIDE AWAKE. Of course, I'm worrying about my job most of the time, I mean come on, I've ONLY got just over 5 months left, it shouldn't be this hard.

I really wish Dad was here to talk to.

**hoyt66** · 10-09-2022, 05:34 AM

I am sorry you are going thru a rough season. You have listed many obstacles. Sometimes when the chips seem to be all stacked against you a good thing to do is help others. Find a local homeless shelter and offer to help one night a week. Find a neighbor who needs help taking out their garbage. Volunteer at your local church. If it gets too heavy, certainly seek professional help. Prayers sent brother. This to will pass.

**Don M** · 10-09-2022, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by hoyt66

If it gets too heavy, certainly seek professional help. Prayers sent brother. This to will pass.

Who do you think took me off work? LOL My Dr wanted me out of there THREE YEARS AGO!! BUT, I promised my dad, I would try to stick it out before he passed. It's been bad for 8 years, but I NEVER saw THIS coming.

**luckydawg** · 10-09-2022, 07:09 AM

Companies can be REAL bad-- greedy bad & VERY unfair across the board with people & the bigger company they are the worse they are in these areas. I retired about 8 months short of full retirement and they shorted me $800 per month.

**Don M** · 10-09-2022, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by luckydawg

Companies can be REAL bad-- greedy bad & VERY unfair across the board with people & the bigger company they are the worse they are in these areas. I retired about 8 months short of full retirement and they shorted me $800 per month.

It's not so much that my employer is greedy. Rather, it's more hostile, vindictive and harassment driven. Sounds like you had it a bit better than I do. You only lost $100/month for going out early. I'm losing $1,200/month if I go out early. I am also the sole provider for a disabled family of 4 adults. My wife felt we could manage on $14,400 less a year, but *I* can't do that to her, or my sons.

**luckydawg** · 10-09-2022, 10:14 AM

$800 per month / $9,600 per year

Its all not right though- not even close to being fairly pro-rated

**dlc95** · 10-09-2022, 10:37 AM

Don, what's going on over there?

I see a few people around me that have also had bad work environments.

I may seem tough, but you've been there this long. March isn't too far away from now, and after that they will be in the past. I hope you have the strength and power to blast through the remainder of your time there.

**bill walsh** · 10-09-2022, 11:26 AM

i was set to retire January 2022 when i lost my dad suddenly he was more looking for me to retire then i was due to health reasons my wife has been disable for 20 years my last job really bad had issues with foreman when i would come home i didn't want to do anything with her or my grandkids Don sorry you are going through this

**Don M** · 10-09-2022, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by dlc95

Don, what's going on over there?

I see a few people around me that have also had bad work environments.

I may seem tough, but you've been there this long. March isn't too far away from now, and after that they will be in the past. I hope you have the strength and power to blast through the remainder of your time there.

I hope so too, but I'm not holding my breath. I am so far beyond done...Admitted spying on my personal life (that has absolutely NOTHING to do with work, it was connected to my detailing hobby), personal attacks on my job performance - from someone who COULDN'T DO MY JOB FOR AN HOUR, let alone a 12 hour shift, even if their life depended on it, made the mental and emotional stress thousands of times worse. This doctor-mandated vacation MIGHT help, it's only been a few days over a week that I've been off, and it seems like I'm getting worse. My sleep schedule is WAY off, I'm very easily irritated by everything. It's not good.

**opie** · 10-09-2022, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Don M

I hope so too, but I'm not holding my breath. I am so far beyond done...Admitted spying on my personal life (that has absolutely NOTHING to do with work, it was connected to my detailing hobby), personal attacks on my job performance - from someone who COULDN'T DO MY JOB FOR AN HOUR, let alone a 12 hour shift, even if their life depended on it, made the mental and emotional stress thousands of times worse. This doctor-mandated vacation MIGHT help, it's only been a few days over a week that I've been off, and it seems like I'm getting worse. My sleep schedule is WAY off, I'm very easily irritated by everything. It's not good.

I dont know what you do for a living, but spying on ones personal life, any hint of trust is far gone now. Best of luck, dont give up. Im sure those words of wisdom from your father will find their way to you.

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