Is This Discrimination?

[kemkem]

Hey all!

I went on a job interview at an LTCF this morning that went very well. I was offered a position, and I accepted it however, at the end of the interview, the DON informed me that eyeglasses are not permitted at the facility. I was very confused and asked her why but she really couldn't give me a definitive answer. I live in FL which is a 'right to work' state, so of course, no union, and even the mention of one could mean a pink slip.

I don't wear glasses for fashion. . . I really need them! My prescription is so powerful that there is only one company in the ENTIRE U.S. that makes contacts in my strength and they are glass contacts that the Dr. didn't seem too keen on recommending in the first place as not only would they never correct my vision the way eyeglasses could, but they also have a tendency to fall out, which is definitely a MAJOR problem as these particular contact lenses cost approximately $365 PER EYE!!!!!!!!! I have already maxed out my vision insurance for the year on my current pair of glasses and paying $730 out of pocket for contacts is most certainly not an option for me at the moment.

I am a nurse and in LTC not only are you doing paper charting a majority of the time but to be counting narcotic sheets in a box that is usually bursting at the brim with narcotics and pulling medications all day, I feel that this definitely puts me at an increased risk of making errors, particularly medication errors. It doesn't help that I have only been a nurse for 2 months so I am already prone to mistakes to begin with. I am a very attentive nurse and I like to end my shift feeling confident that I had a safe day and so I know with no glasses, looking extra closely at everything, pulling every card out of the cart and quadruple checking everything will be what I resort to and that will only make me less productive and more edgy and unsure.

I guess my question is: Is this discrimination? My Dr. told me that most people with astigmatism only have about 8% of the astigmatism that I have and that my case is a very extreme one. The only reason I don't have bifocals is because I payed a truckload to have a thin lens and I should be wearing them ALL THE TIME. How can they even feel this is safe. . or fair? To me it's the equivalent of telling a person with a hearing impairment that they are not allowed to wear a hearing aid in your facility. Thats basically tellling us to stay away or hide your handicap and it's forcing me to choose between seeing and working yet as we all know, in this current economic climate, you have to take a job where you can get it.

Everything else about this job is fantastic. The pay, the schedule, the location, it's all great, not to mention, I NEED A JOB!! I was out of work for nearly 2 years to go to school so I really need the money. What should I do??

Sorry so long!

Thanks In Advance

[USN2UNC]

I would be honest with them. It sounds like a ridiculous rule and in a logical world it would easily be seen as more of a problem if you did not wear them. I mean they interviewed you with them on. Offered you a position while wearing them...etc. I just don't see the issue.

[rn/writer, RN]

I have never heard of a medical facility that didn't allow employees to wear corrective lens glasses. What in the world could be the rationale behind such a prohibition? Especially in LTC (as opposed to corrections where just about anything can be turned into a weapon).

I am no authority on the Americans with Disabilities Act, but I do know that employers must make reasonable accommodations when their workers need them. Surely seems like that would include allowing you to wear your own glasses.

Did you ask why there was such a restriction? I find it hard to believe that there is no one else in the facility who wears glasses. Are the residents allowed to wear them?

Looking forward to your answers.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Just when you think you've heard it all ...

How bizarre is that? What exactly was the explanation given for this peculiar policy?

If you were denied employment because of the need for eyeglasses it probably would meet the threshhold for the legal definition of discrimination, as eyeglasses prescribed by your health care provider and paid for at your expense are certainly a very reasonable "accommodation" that lets you perform the "essential functions of the job." (I'm using EEOC/ADA language)

http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/disability.cfm

A call to your local EEOC office might be in order, although you'll have to decide 1) whether or not you really want to work for an organization which would attempt to enforce such a boneheaded policy and 2) how much effort you're willing to put into this.

[kanzi monkey]

I'm assuming that you know what you're talking about, but I have to ask--are you sure you heard right? If you did, then this definitely violates a "right to work" policy.

Definitely.

(omg, I don't know what I'd DO if someone told me I couldn't wear my glasses! I would wonder if I needed hearing aids too! :dzed:)

[SilentMind]

This probably would have been a good thing to discuss with your employer when they brought it up. They may very well have reasons for not allowing glasses that don't come to mind right now. It would have given them a chance to explain why to you, and it would have given you a chance to explain your unique situation and that contacts aren't an option for you.

I wouldn't immediately jump to discrimination. Asking employees to wear contacts instead of glasses doesn't sound unreasonable to me, as they weren't aware that you specifically require glasses. Since they already offered you the position, just go ahead with orientation. And you can discuss your circumstances with the manager then. Chances are far greater that she'll be understanding and allow you to keep them once she knows the full story. If not, then you can seek alternative solutions.

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

Been a nurse and in management a very long time and this one is a whole new one on me. Yes I would inquire with in regards to american disabilities act on this one. I wear glasses and like you am completely unable to wear contacts. Also I have no clue how in the world wearing glasses interfers in working in a LTCF. Check with a disability attorney as most will give you basic info over the phone free of charge. I am also in Florida. As a former DON in my opinion yes it is a form of discrimination. Heck they even allow pilots to fly now with vision correction, open heart surgeon's perform delicate surgery with vision correction, neuro surgeons wear glasses also when needed.

[kemkem]

I did ask why there was such a rule and the DON (who was wearing GLASSES!!) took them off and said "you know, I really don't know! It's pretty annoying though because I don't know WHAT I would do without my glasses!". I was afraid to press the issiue because I was worried that as a result, they wouldn't offer me a position. My mother happens to work at this particular facility and told me that they fire people for ANYTHING.

They are a (private??) christian organization so IDK if that may play a role but I am just floored, yet too afraid to do anything. Again, declining the offer is not an option for me because I've been looking for a job for MONTHS and I need this one pretty badly.

And yes kanzimonkey, I definitely heard correctly! Lol!

[SilentMind]

I did ask why there was such a rule and the DON (who was wearing GLASSES!!) took them off and said "you know, I really don't know! It's pretty annoying though because I don't know WHAT I would do without my glasses!" and proceeded to put her glasses back on and change the subject. I was afraid to press the issiue because I was worried that as a result, they wouldn't offer me a position. My mother happens to work at this particular facility and told me that they fire people for ANYTHING.

They are a (private??) christian organization so IDK if that may play a role but I am just floored, yet too afraid to do anything. Again, declining the offer is not an option for me because I've been looking for a job for MONTHS and I need this one pretty badly.

Obviously, taking it without the assistance of your glasses isn't either. If the DON wears glasses, I'm willing to wager it's not a huge problem. Like I said earlier, I'd save the discrimination route until they do something more then mention it. Just show up fit and ready to work, glasses firmly resting on the bridge of your nose. If anyone says anything, then you can explain why they're necessary. I can't see anyone rationally making it an issue.

[nyteshade, BSN]

I would request to see a written policy about this. I would then call an attorney.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

for cryin out loud.. are they crazy?? they don't like glasses??? huh?? i've never heard such hogwash in my life.. you didn't see candid camera around anywhere did you?? good grief ,,,

[kemkem]

Obviously, taking it without the assistance of your glasses isn't either. If the DON wears glasses, I'm willing to wager it's not a huge problem. Like I said earlier, I'd save the discrimination route until they do something more then mention it. Just show up fit and ready to work, glasses firmly resting on the bridge of your nose. If anyone says anything, then you can explain why they're necessary. I can't see anyone rationally making it an issue.

You're right. However, I think the DON can wear glasses though because 1) She's the DON! and 2) Whatever reason they do have for not allowing glasses is probably not an issue for her since her job is a little less hands on. Sorry if you misunderstood my post. I wasn't planning to run and find a lawyer and sue the facility for discrimination. I have never been the type to run to the principal before speaking with the teacher and like I said, I need this job so I am in no rush to start ruffling feathers. I guess that's how I came off to you but I just wanted to know whether or not I had a valid argument so that when the issue arose, I would know how to handle it, as well as if I should just show up with my glasses or try to go without them.