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??
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.
You didn't come across like that, and I'm sorry if you misconstrued my reply as critical. I understand that you're just looking for a solution to the problem. I would strongly advise against trying to wing it without them, as that would not only put your patients in danger, but also make you look incompetent and sabotage any chances you have of a future with this facility. If after you explain it to them, and I honestly don't think it would be a problem, they refuse to bend on the subject, then you probably do have a case for discrimination. Personally, I don't know. Chances are neither does anyone else on here. If it came to that point you'd have to consult legal services.
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!
Yes, this one sounds like Twilight Zone or Candid Camera stuff. I mean, you're not going to be flying fighter aircraft!! I assume that your mother doesn't know about the policy, or you would have put it in your post. Just call the DON and explain the situation, that you cannot work without your glasses and that contacts are not an option.
as previous posters have suggested, just show up on the first day of work, wearing your glasses and don't bring the subject up at all. bring a letter from your opthamologist with you, on his letterhead that describes (in detail) the severity of your vision problem and why you must wear your glasses at work and why you aren't a candidate for contact lenses. they can't just arbitrarily say "no glasses" without giving you a legitimate reason. my husband has very very severe astigmatism and his vision has improved a lot since he got glasses tinted pale gray because it eliminates the glare. if they still tell you you can't wear your glasses, ask for what they've told you in writing. i never heard of such a thing! he was also told no glass contacts and no contacts for astigmatism either because of the shape and curvature of his eyeball. good luck!
a. your glasses are what she considers too flashy/unattractive- whatever.
or b: she changed her mind about hiring you and gave this truly-bogus-bizarre-absurd excuse.
i'll betchya...
leslie
I doubt it's the former. They already offered her the job, and they wouldn't use an excuse that could be as remedied as easily as switching to contacts.
I disagree that they can't just arbitrarily say no glasses.
They can put any conditions of employment they want at the time they make an offer, by accepting the job you're agreeing to the conditions.
Is it discrimination? I doubt it.
The OP stated contacts are available for her condition, they are just cost prohibitive.
As some who is able to work thanks to the ADA and 'reasonable accomidations'...you are treading on very thin ice if the disability exists at the time of hire and you fail to disclose it and request accomidations. The employer could easily argue that the employee failed to act in good faith and in effect 'set up' the employer.
I don't really have any good advice, because I think I may be speechless. That may be the most jacked up thing I have heard in awhile. Good luck and let us know what you find out :) ~Ivanna
I could understand an interviewer making a statement such as that during the interview. This could be a test to see if you plainly follow any rule or if you have the ability to assert yourself and look for answers. It's odd that she mentioned the rule after the position was offered. I've actually heard of just the opposite, regarding eyewear. Some employers do not allow contact lenses due to safety issuese.g. the military. You could always go to HR and ask to view the companies code of conduct.
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Man I would be out of the job, I can not wear contacts, my eyes are to sensitive, eye drops are hard enough to do and the eye glass office hates me when they do the eye puffer, it takes like 15 tries. I have tried contacts twice and once was in HS and they sent me home thinking I was high because my eyes were red and glassed over. I plan to eventually have the eye surgery but I will still need glasses for close up stuff, I have astigmatism and the surgery can only correct the near sided or far sighted and I would fix the distance one over the close up one.
Sorry, after rereading my post I realized my error. She mentioned the eyeglass policy towards the end of the interview but before she offered me the position. I objected to the rule but not firmly enough as I was worried that that would cause her to, in turn, not offer me the position for fear that I would not comply.
I'm just wondering what the glasses you wore for the interview look like. I know this may seem like it doesn't matter, but in fact, this could possibly be the issue...
While I'm sure no one can tell you you aren't allowed to use a prescribed device to help you with your job (i.e., glasses, hearing aid, etc.), they can require you to abide by a dress code or certain professional standards for attire.
Are your glasses over-sized? Are they a bright color?
Basically, what I'm getting at is: Do you think there's any chance she was objecting to this particular pair of glasses (since she, herself was wearing a pair), but made a general comment so as not to offend?
I agree whole-heartedly that if you want the job, there's no need to make a big fuss. However, I would contact the person who hired you and say how grateful you are for the opportunity to start at _________ organization, and how you are looking forward to being part of the team, but you did want to clarify one aspect of your duties before orientation. Explain that you really can't see without glasses and why contacts are not an option. Ask her what your options are. Explain that if she found your particular glasses inappropriate in any way, you are willing to find a more refined pair; you are not willing to put your employment at risk.
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. 
.thumb.jpg.5aa4d55557c0228e31b94de19666bbbb.jpg){kind=small}
SilentMind
253 Posts
You didn't come across like that, and I'm sorry if you misconstrued my reply as critical. I understand that you're just looking for a solution to the problem. I would strongly advise against trying to wing it without them, as that would not only put your patients in danger, but also make you look incompetent and sabotage any chances you have of a future with this facility. If after you explain it to them, and I honestly don't think it would be a problem, they refuse to bend on the subject, then you probably do have a case for discrimination. Personally, I don't know. Chances are neither does anyone else on here. If it came to that point you'd have to consult legal services.