[Magdalen] Well, here's how it's all been going down.

[Marion Thompson]

Wishing you all the best with this process as it evolves – and hoping that you receive this message!

Marion, a pilgrim

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: M J _Mike_ Logsdon
Sent: March 22, 2018 4:24 PM
To: magdalen at herberthouse.org
Subject: [Magdalen] Well, here's how it's all been going down.

Last Tuesday some might recall I was holding onto my final thread of thinking I could continue in my job.  I went to bed that night fully knowing that early the next morning I was going to email my resignation.  And when I woke up, and realised the previous day hadn't been a dream, reality came crashing back in, but this time with something new.  Like a pleasant flash bulb the idea hit me that, just like the boss who was making all this misery possible had told me two years previous when my vasulitis was in full bloom and Stanford treatment, that I literally purchase SDI with each paycheck (for those whose states may call it something different, SDI = state disability insurance, in my case only temporary because I will never have the option for permanent * ), and as such am always within my rights to avail myself of it.  With what was the first of several waves of relief (and which continue), I sat down at the computer and composed not a resignation email, but a notice email that I was shortly to be filing for SDI and FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act; CA has its own version, which runs simultaneously).  (FMLA is actually the most important part of the picture, because [a] with a doctor's certification [which I got on Friday] my County-paid medical insurance premium will continue to be paid each month, and [b] with the near-impossibility of employer denial [in my case anyway] I am guaranteed a job to go back to [which will be June 7, exactly one day after the completion of the maximum 12 weeks FMLA allows], even if my job duties and supervisorial overlordship are different [which wouldn't bother me none].)

A weak attempt on the part of my supervisor was made to "get me to talk" (ie, meet) with either her, her boss (general manager), or both.  In such a situation, such is not legally required, so other than, via email response to hers, stating the generically obvious fact that I'd reached a point in our section of mental and emotional discomfort such that I could not adequately perform my job, I made it clear that no other direct communication was either necessary or required (as per my research of my rights), and that even if it were I at this time would not feel comfortable doing so.  I said "generically obvious" earlier, in that the wording was extremely non-specific, and that the point was obvious, even if only to her as the only official witness to how she'd been treating me in such an unpredictable fashion over the previous two years that literally each day I came to work not knowing what was in store for me.  (Read:  unhealthy work environment.)

>From that point forward, my only communication was with our benefits coordinator at County Human Resources downtown, who proved extremely helpful all the way through to yesterday when she confirmed for me that everything had been confirmed, approved, and I'd be receiving the letter in the mail (today, no doubt).  She was even so good as to provide me with confirmation (which I'd asked my own peeps at the Agency twice for but was ignored both times) that my final timesheet prior to leave beginning had been both submitted and approved.  (A very important paycheck, as it represents both April rent and April medical insurance accounted for the "normal" way.)

Next hurdle, SDI.  Hurdle, because even though I pay for it, the state could easily say I don't qualify for it with this leave of absence.  As my doc warned me (who's definitely on board for his part of the filing), they could easily say "Everyone gets stressed at work."  But if that doesn't work (and let's all hope it does; it's not like I'm asking for much), Everett and I will definitely be okay, as there's a couple other sources of money at our disposal, not the least of which is his savings which he more than generously made available, even before my telling him I'd definitely pay him back.

So, I've got 2+ months of what I've needed literally for years now:  an uninterrupted break, a vacation as it were, in which to finally, ... finally, ... regroup, rest, and heal.  And yes, definitely heal.  If I'm still working for the same supervisor when I return, she has no idea just how calm, how centered, how balanced, and how self-confident an underling she'll be dealing with.  I will no longer be stomped on.  Period.  I can only pray I will present such a stance with a smile, or at least something closely akin.

Thanks to all for your prayers.  I wish I could say I no longer need them!

( * I am never to be eligible for permanent disability because I didn't work under Soc Sec long enough to have earned it.  The Agency, until 2011, did not participate, and in 2011 when we all had a choice I opted, for as long as I'm an Agency employee, to remain outside.)

M J (Mike) Logsdon.

"Aaugh[.]" -- Charles Brown.
"Avoid dull needles and use a soft cloth." -- E Kovacs.
"...[My mouth is a] shithole..." -- 45th US President.