Discussion Board

Does anyone have advice on how to request regular meal times from employers?

My hours shift biweekly.
One week (M-F): thyroid meds at 5, breakfast at 6, lunch at 12, dinner about 5.
Week 2 (M-Th): meds at 8:00, breakfast at 9, lunch at 2:30, dinner about 9 (Saturday meds at 6, breakfast at 7, lunch about 1-2)

I have PCOS. And I've read irregular meals cause much higher insulin levels, which I can't afford in trying like anything to keep my periods (which eating low fat brought back) and avoid diabetes. Plus my thyroid meds shouldn't be jumbled around. And I am not allowed to eat at my desk. And my hour "lunch" must be over before my counterpart leaves about 3:30-4 on my late week. But when the rules went in effect about not eating at our desk, my boss said we could take a 10 or 15 minute break at night if needed when we mentioned health.

Trouble is, that boss is gone. And we can no longer pull those in our dept. from their desks to watch ours unless theirs nobody approved available and we're running to the restroom or doing something urgent. And my lunch times shift based on coverage when my counterpart is out (though theoretically we can state when we need to go to lunch and someone will be there to cover, it doesn't work so smoothly really; my boss tends to fill in, who is busy with appointments that could show at any time, and meetings and such).

My Dr. will write a note; in fact, he suggested it after getting on me about my work-induced irregular sleep and meal hours. I put it off because it know it would be a huge inconvenience to work. but my last fasting insulin was 9.4 (or 9.6?) and my BG was 86 (meaning insulin was circulating in my body at night - which is bad!); I suspect I've progressed (from too much to too little insulin). Any advice on what he should say? I want to say enough they take me seriously enough to somehow make STANDARDIZED eating times. but I really don't want the Dr. to tell work I have insulin or ovarian issues. I don't know if I could use my thyroid meds as a legitimate reason?....

(I may suggest to my boss he talk to the president about letting us eat at our desk again. Would solve a lot of problems for everybody! Doubt it will work, though.)

My non-expert opinion, for whatever it is worth, is that it is appropriate to let your supervisor know that you are taking medication that MUST be taken at specific times and it MUST be taken with food. Period. It is neither necessary nor appropriate to give specifics about your personal medical issues.

Perhaps there is an HR expert on this forum who can give a more substantial reply.

Let your doctor write you a note. No job is worth putting your health in jeopardy.

Yep, and bring a doctor's note stating same and you will be all set.

Hi - just wondered if you are allowed to drink at your desk - if so you could have a smoothie for one of the meals perhaps bring it in in a juice bottle.

Very best of luck with this - I know how hard it is if you have difficult employesr. Mine now are fine but I've had some horrors in the past.

Best of luck

Katherine