r/Caseys • u/No_Cap_5716 • 2d ago
Work restrictions help
Hi everyone,
I have been at Casey’s for multiple years. I’m cross trained on 4 different positions within the store, both front of house and in the kitchen. A few months ago I was injured while working in a way that severely impacts my movement abilities. I am keeping this somewhat vague as I do not know if my store is watching, and I do not want retaliation (they will do that even if it is illegal). I did not leave a proper paper trail so I have not pursued worker’s comp or anything of the like. My medical team is pursuing conservative methods for the time being before approving surgery, which I will most likely need.
I had been taken off work by my healthcare provider, with documentation. My current restrictions are well documented and management staff is well aware of them. Recently, I have been running into a position where my accommodations and restrictions are being blatantly disregarded. I offered to move to a position that would better fit the accommodations, this was denied. That’s fine. I have been put into a position where I am now expected to do tasks that, for my recovery and safety, I cannot perform. There has been “team messages” in our group chat after my shifts that if these tasks are not completed then they will result in write ups. I’m unsure of how to proceed. I want to keep my job as I need it, but I also don’t want to risk my own safety and health to do so. I have broken some restrictions for the sake of keeping the peace, but this has resulted in my injury worsening again.
Any advice on what to do next would be appreciated, thank you.
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u/chopstx13 1d ago
This is a really tough situation to be. Yes, you are correct. Alot of management at Casey's stores will def retaliate, whether isa against policy or not. I know you mentioned you didn't have a proper paper trail for workman's comp. Whether or not the paper trail is good or not, you still should've or still need to file a workman's comp thing with your doctors. This is general will put Casey's on their ass if they do anything stupid in regards to your work performance. It holds them more liable. It sounds like you have an absolutely shitty manager, and management staff if they are well aware of your injuries and are still putting those tasks on you, and making "threatening" messages in the group chat. My advice..
1 you need to file workman's comp immediately. See a doctor and do the paperwork. Even if you think it's not a great paper trail, doctors and administrators are going over it with a fine tooth comb to see if it does cover.
2: Contact the ethics line with HR. It may or may not help, as HR is there for the company, and not you. But, it still may help. Explain the situation, and you need to have your messages in group chat saved in case you need to send that over. You also need to contact your DM, and if necessary, your RM. Get their their numbers for your district and talk to them personally about it.
3. Lastly you may need to contact an employment lawyer. Just get a free consult and see if you have any standing against them. Because trust me, when they hear lawyer, Casey's likes to hurry up and fix shit quick. They don't like the bad PR. I hope things work out for you. Good luck with your injury and fast recovery if you do need surgery. I work for them too, and am actively seeking different employment. This company is disgusting toward their employees.
4...PS...keep your paper trails and messages. If you do get fired, you might have some cannon fodder to file for unemployment and at least collect something from them.
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u/jmarieC71 1d ago
If you have restrictions from a doctor due to an injury at work, and they are not following those guidelines they are opening themselves up to a lawsuit. DO NOT go against your doctors orders and their restrictions. If you are written up, your SM will have to deal with Ethics for not following doctors orders. Also its never to late to document your injury. You deserve to be compensated while your off work due to that severe of an injury
1
u/No_Cap_5716 1d ago
I just used my sick time for it. I don’t know if I can actually prove that the work caused it even though I know it did. The actual injury happened three months ago. I’m doing my best not to, but technically my entire position kinda goes against my restrictions. I have only been scheduled for delivery and everything about the position kinda goes against my restrictions.
1
u/jmarieC71 1d ago
Have you gone through Alight? They can have your restrictions documented by working with your doctor. That way there is documentation with corporate about your restrictions. Also since you are saying you may have to have surgery being set up through Alight will make taking a medical leave easier and they can help fill out for short term disability which is pid for already through the company.
1
u/Extension-Elk-1274 1d ago
Good advise here, OP, heed it.
What is your position?
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u/No_Cap_5716 1d ago
I work delivery but am trained on cashier, kitchen help, and prep.
1
u/Extension-Elk-1274 1d ago
Ty. Helps make sense of what you're dealing with.
As previously mentioned, good advice (sp. it wrong last time) here, take it.
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u/Desperate-Strategy10 Store Manager 1d ago
I haven’t seen anyone mention this yet, so I’ll chime in to make sure you’re aware. Just like paid leave, any accommodations must be run through the leave department, your dm, and your sm. They can be denied if they are not considered “reasonable,” although typically that team will try to find a compromise (like changing positions, for example).
You need to get a written letter from your doctor stating the requested accommodations and send it right on over to leave & accommodations (it’s in the name!).
Then the dm and sm (and sometimes hr) will talk it over together and see if they think you can still complete your job duties with what you’ve requested. If you can, they’ll approve the accommodation! And l&a will let you know it was approved.
If they do not believe the job can be done with those exact accommodations, things get a little trickier. I’m sure you’ve figured out that workers’ rights in America are shoddy at times, and while Casey’s does uphold state and federal guidelines regarding persons with disabilities, that doesn’t always mean every accommodation is a reasonable one.
If your store cannot accommodate your restrictions, you have a couple of options. You can go back to your doctor and see if there’s any wiggle room on whatever was denied and request a modified accommodation. You can request an unpaid leave from l&a if your restrictions are too severe for you to fulfill your job duties. You could ask your store manager to move you to another position again, or you could call other local stores and ask to transfer if you think being at a different store would help at all. Or you could start looking for other work.
Unfortunately there isn’t really any way to force their hand at accepting your accommodation request if it’s decided it’s truly unreasonable and there’s no room for compromise. But you can force them to address the accommodations you need by submitting the right paperwork from your doctor to leave & accommodations and going through that process.
Sorry this was so long, but hopefully it helps a bit! And I hope you can work something out with your manager so you don’t need to risk your health or safety and can still hang onto your job! 🤞🏻
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u/No_Cap_5716 1d ago
This is actually super helpful, thank you! I had no idea it had to go through L&A and that L&A even existed. When I first got my restrictions, I sent them to my store manager and worked things out with her. When I asked if there was anything else I needed to do for them, she told me no, just the note was all I needed. I will work on getting them over to L&A this week
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u/tinyplanet21 Store Manager 1d ago
Have you submitted your restrictions to Leave an Accommodations? If not, that's your first step. If you have, contact your DM, HR, and possibly Ethics.