HR, who needs them?

You guys know by now that I have stage one cancer. I was trying to work while going through treatment, however half way through I was forced into a Leave of Absence because I was getting sick way too much. However, what should have been an easy process has become my living NIGHTMARE. I went on my leave of absence on March 17th. I had my doctor fill out the paperwork and they FAXED IT. About two weeks later, I received a letter. It has been a battle since.

The letter read that they were missing something from the paperwork and to call the Leave of Absense team. So I did. The first woman told me that it was missing all of the paperwork. All that they had received was a document that my doctor created. So I hopped onto the website and uploaded it. Another two weeks go by. Received another letter stating the same thing: missing paperwork and to call the team. Once again I contacted them. This time they were missing the first page. The representative was extremely rude. I was trying to log into the webpage to upload it, however at that time I could not remember the log in information. I had repeatedly told the woman over the phone that I’d have to call back once I remembered the information. Yet she still persisted that I immediately log on while she was on the phone so she could see the document uploaded. I had to hang up on her. Not before yelling, “I don’t fucking understand why YOU can’t understand that I cannot remember the log in information at this time. There is absolutely no reason to be that pushy.” After calming down and struggling for over two hours trying to get in, I finally get in. I call back and spoke to another woman who confirmed it had been uploaded. I typically am very nice over the phone, but when push comes to shove, and the other person is being completely rude, not listening at all, I get pissed. So I asked to speak to a supervisor. The woman on the phone at the time was great. I just wanted to speak about the woman prior and let them know how inappropriate she was, and also apologize for my behavior.

Perfect right? The document uploaded. Nope. Received another letter stating that it was missing information yet again, and to call back. With a sigh, I call them back. The issue this time was it was missing the start date of the leave of absence and the return date. I asked, on speaker, so everyone in my house could be my witness *just incase* something else came up, if I could fill in the dates because A.) I had the paperwork in front of me and B.) I had just received chemo and could not bring the paperwork back. The representative said yes. So I did. Uploaded it once again. The representative also confirmed that it was uploaded successfully.

Great right? I finally got all the paperwork in and settled. Almost a month goes by at this point (end of May) and my supervisor messages me asking about the leave of absence because they hadn’t received anything from the Leave of Absence team yet. So I explained to her everything and she was shocked. She had never heard having such troubles before. So, it produced another call to the team. Oh. Every time I called it was always a twenty minute hold to get to anyone. Which is aggravating, but understandable if its a small team. So the rep gets on the line and goes over the paperwork and once again being told that I’m missing paperwork. I explained that I had uploaded the missing information already and should be there. This representative kept pulling up old paper work. I kept telling her to look at the most recent. After six rounds of that, I asked for a supervisor. The supervisor came on the phone and looked at the information and said that she saw the updated information. However, she stopped in her tracks and asks: “Did you or your doctor fill out the start and return date?”

I had told her the previous conversation that I had with a previous representative who had stated that I could fill it in, and that I had about three other witnesses to this conversation. She argued with me for five minutes over this issue until I stated that I wanted calls reviewed. The supervisor then stated that the agent that I spoke to didn’t put it in her notes that she had told me that. I stated again that I had witnesses. That’s when my sister piped up and stated how unprofessional they were being and that I should take this up with the Better Business Burreau and a lawyer. She became very quiet after that and then agreed to view the calls.

Well then it came to this week and another message from my supervisor asking if I heard anything. I called again and had received a supervisor taking calls and had told me that my case was being reviewed in the next few days. Reported back to my supervisor. This morning, I get a picture message stating my leave of absence was approved from March 17th to April 22nd. I hopped on that phone so quick. The first representative I spoke to had no idea what she was talking about. Telling me that I needed MORE PAPERWORK. I said “Ma’am. I have cancer. Nothing has changed in the last month or so since I have uploaded all the paperwork. There is no other paperwork and WHY wasn’t I told I needed more paperwork before it was approved for the one month?” All she said were excuses. Asked for a supervisor. This is where it gets even WORSE!

The supervisor started asking questions which was normal so she could better understand what was going on. So I started telling her very thing and how I had such a hard time with their department. So she then asked about the start and return date. I told her the same thing I told the previous supervisor that I was told I could fill that part in. Which started another heated argument. Then to come to find out that the supervisor that I spoke to for the call reviews? WASN’T EVEN A SUPERVISOR!! I had been LIED TOO and the calls were not reviewed. Oh but wait, it gets better. The person who reviewed my case, ONLY LOOKED AT THE FIRST DOCUMENT AND NOTHING ELSE. I flipped my ever-lovin’ lid. So I asked her “How do I know you’re a supervisor? I’ve been lied to once already and I apparently need MORE paperwork even though I have nothing new to report in a month’s time.” She had no way of proving to me that she was a supervisor. However, she took down my phone number and promised to give me a call back once she had reviewed everything. Now that was around twelve this afternoon. I just got a call back about ten minutes ago (4:30pm-ish) with my leave being approved until October fourth.

I have never been frustrated by an human resource team in my entire life. The only reason why I haven’t said the company name is because they pulled through last minute, and my job was saved. However if problems persist in the future, but your bottom dollar I will not be afraid to republish this article with company names. I’m just glad the nightmare is over, and I can finally breathe.