Job Discussion Forums

[sidjameson]

I started my new job this week. I work at a national university. In an almost comical way I have had barely any contact with anybody at my university. The previous teacher kindly gave me details about the classes. I signed a contract on my first day at work. I was given a key to my room. Really that's about it.

I kid you not, first day at work and during my afternoon class my back just went. Felt like all the muscles in the lower back just disappeared for a second. Real pain. I walked to the station like an old man and when it was time to get up out the seat and get off the train. I was like an old man's father. It wasn't funny at all.

Yesterday my back revovered somwhat, but today......same thing. Anyway, no one comes on here to hear people whinging about their health problems. I just hope that PaulH or somebody can let me know if I am now automatically on some kind of health care system?

The timeing of the thing though is just downright suspicious. I mean, FIRST day on the job. I have had a bad back on and off for years but always liveable. This isn't. BUT do you think that I shouldn't mention that it is a long held condition? Honestly it was getting worse last semester before the holiday break. It's the standing up I am sure. But in the severity it really is a new condition to me.

I actually fear going to work next week. I also fear needing an operation just as I have started such a great new job. How understanding do you think the people in higher powers would be?

I rambling post I know......feeling a bit sorry for myself I guess.

[abufletcher]

I understand what you're going through. Exactly. About 10 years ago getting off a bus in Helsinki with a backpack and 25lbs of camera gear my back just locked up. Standing there right in the middle of the bus arrival area all I could do is wave over a taxi and ask him to literally place me horizontally into the back of his cab. From there he took me to the nearest hotel. I had no insurance, not muc money, couldn't communicate with much of anyone, and it looked like this might very realistically be a long term thing. I definitely wasn't going to be able to get back onto an airplane and go home! Suddenly Finland seemed a LONG LONG way away from anywhere I wanted to be!

Luckily things didn't look quite so grim three days after a visit from the doctor the hotel called. He gave me a shot of muscle relaxant and by the next day I could shuffle around. Three days later I was walking normally but cautiously.

OK. back to YOUR back! Yeah, the timing stinks. Given that you just signed your contract, it's doubtful the finance department would have gotten around to working on your medical insurance paperwork. The good news is that from what we've heard about this new job, the university you're working for has some sense of honor towards employees and there's a good chance that they will get your paperwork done right away.

I'm afraid I don't have any specific info for you, other to say "buck up, it probably isn't as bleak as things look right now."

[PAULH]

[abufletcher]

It's hard to say whether a back "flairing up again" while at work would be treated as a "work related" injury unless you could show that it was some specific aspect of the job that caused the problem. Would just having to stand up in class be considered sufficient? Now if you were carry stacks of textbooks to class, that might sound like a better argument.

Personally, I think this sort of thing has gone WAY overboard in the US and I wouldn't care to see Japan go down that legalistic path further than it already has.

[Glenski]

sid,
What was your health insurance situation before you started the university job? Sounds like you have not signed anything to get health insurance started through whatever plan the university offers, so I suspect that your previous plan is still in effect.

Best of luck to you. If you want to drop a line and chat about getting started in a national university, feel free. I just started 2 weeks ago, too.

[Glenski]

EDIT
Double posting.

[taikibansei]

[sidjameson]

Thanks for the words of encouragment. Actually as sad as this sounds it actually helped me to know that there were people out "there" who cared enough to post. See my new post on social isloation.

Anywa, Glenski, I didn't have any insurance before. Yes, I know.........actually I did, but I let it expire a year or so ago.
Yes, I really want to avoid the not turning up scenario. For all my other faults, I am a professional in the classroom.

Actually I did slip on a green mat that was hanging over a step earlier in the morning. I slipped down the step which caused more than a whince. It did hurt, but I wouldn't like to say that it was the cause and besides I have been treated so well by this university and the attached juniour high school for 5 years. Creating an uncomfortable situation would be the last thing on my mind.
Just researching and of course worse case scenarios running through my head. I did read what appears to assimilate to my condition. Soething about nerves touching between the disks. May mean an operation...... Apart from the horror that involves............can anyone tell me how much would be covered by the insurance?

Well.....I will see how things bear over the weekend.....hopefully I will be up n running by Monday or at least able to get up.

[Glenski]

sid,
You should be covered for 70-80% of the medical bills.

[taikibansei]