I was a Senior Parking Officer and Field Training Officer with The University of Ky for 8 years. In September, 2010, I was ordered to drive a departmental vehicle which even my manager admitted was “dangerous”. The front seat was not bolted to the frame of the vehicle, and the seat belt was broken. So while driving, the seat gyrated against my left shoulder / neck area. This agitated 5 bulging discs in my cervical spine, to the point that emergency surgery became necessary. The surgeon replaced two of those discs in November, 2010.
The employer, meanwhile, was a bit peeved with me for reporting the unsafe departmental vehicle. They refused to accept my doctors letters, FMLA statements, MRI results, etc showing that this is a chronic disability. My manager and supervisors began stalking me at work, watching every move I made. My driving privileges were taken away. I was reassigned to an area that would aggravate the condition, and was contrary to my doctors explicit orders. In October, 2010, the manager handed me a letter stating that UK would no longer accommodate my medical restrictions as of Nov 1st. November 2nd, 2010, I was sent home because of that letter. When I attempted to report back to work following surgery in December, 2010, with the same restrictions as before surgery, the employer again sent me home.
My coworkers were told that I had thrown myself down the steps of a UK building in order to claim workers comp. One supervisor actually laughed at me, asked me if I was "TRYING TO RETIRE ON DISABILITY". The employer still says I don’t have a disability, and they never did anything wrong. They told OSHA in writing that they refused to offer a light duty assignment because UK policy states they won’t do so unless the injury or illness is “work related”. And, of course, UK denies that my medical condition is work related. OSHA sided with UK. The EEOC has not as yet made their decision, but it looks like UK is winning that battle as well. This university truly believe it is because they are too big to be held accountable.
I have TRIED to contact several tv news shows to ask them to cover this story. It's not just about me; I know of several other former employees who have been forced out because they have a disability. The official vehicles at UK are in POOR shape; bad brakes, drivers doors that wont close, no a/c, no heat, holes in the floorboards, etc. SURELY there is SOMEONE interested in this? I have videos and audio tapes of conversations with supervisors and managers that laughed at me and ignored my complaints. I also have every email I sent to every person up the chain of command all the way to (then) president Lee Todd. Anyone want to see / hear the evidence? Tell the media to COVER THIS STORY!