MIL=Mother in law maybe?

Its not that I need voc rehab, I just strayed too far from what I was used to and comfortable (physically) doing and now I need to get back to doing shop/lab work but that requires a department move (which here, is like changing employers)

If I was in a reverse situation where I was a tech and needed a desk job/needed to learn a new skill the voc rehab would make sense.

 

Long and short of it, you'll have to address it and see what they can do for you. Stu

 

Yea, I just hope I don't word it wrong and screw myself in the process.

 

Mike is correct MIL - Mother In Law
Small world that you have a disability tie. My wife also used Voc Rehab due to a bad car wreck at the age of 17. She lost two inches in her surgeries and she didn't have them to lose.

 

Mother in-law. Can you tell them you'd like a job in the assembly line so you can get some exercise? I've found, if you're good at your job you're just SOL and stuck.

 

That would make logistical sense, Im still in a training phase for the most part (been doing this job for less than 3 months)

If I moved to something like that it wouldn't be a lateral move that would be a company change for the most part. Im in the tech center for product design so I would have to leave and go through a different HR and different location.

 

If you make a request for accommodation, I believe that puts you into a protected class status - HR speak for you can't get summarily dismissed. As Stu said, make the situation known. For all the hot air about anti-discrimination rules, in this case they are your friend and should work as intended: allow a willing worker to capably perform a job without injury or aggravating a chronic condition.

 

My first question would be: do you have medical confirmation of your condition?
Second would be have you tried a medically approved ergonomic chair or just some claimed to be of an ergonomic design by the chair manufacturer (advertising hyperbole that does not require testing or proof).
Have you tried a chair where the back and seat are attached to each other and recline together as a unit. Most desk chairs have a fixed seat with a back that reclines. I have found those are not nearly as comfortable and supportive of my back. My favorite chairs of the single unit design are made by Steelcase.
One of their older chairs but my favorite:

Also the Scandinavian designed balans (or kneeling) chair:

not meant to be a rocking chair, but it does gently rock some when you shift positions, so you can combine to get some body movement while working.

Companies are literally "bending over backwards" to accommodate good employees with disability issues especially veterans. As I see it, tho, you are not an actual employee of the "large corporation" but one of a much smaller contracting agency, or are you directly hired and contracted to the LC?

 

I spoke with my company today, they are getting with my department heads to see if there are any other positions available that suit my needs better. I have tried about a dozen different chairs in any combination possible. They all have similar results. It just hurts to sit. It is documented with the VA. I will most likely hear something back in next week or so. Hopefully I didn't shoot myself in the foot.

 

A little update without giving away too much info... I am leaving my company to move onward. I will be working on prototype durability testing and setting up autonomous vehicles for proving ground use.

I had applied for a climate control tech position to perform on-site work, I got to the interview only to find out that I was duped into interviewing for another position. Autonomous Vehicle Operations technician in the prototype garage, pretty neat position I thought but wasn't sure what it meant. Well as the manager took me around for a tour of the facilities, showing me the cafeteria and restrooms etc prior to the interview I learned more and more about what the position exactly was.

The more I learned the more I understood about why this hiring manager took my resume from the other hiring manager (without him knowing haha) What I will be working on is pretty much exactly what I did in the Marine Corps but with cars/trucks instead of Electronic Countermeasures and aircraft. I was the first interview of the day and he sent me away with the lead tech who then took me around the proving grounds on a tour and explained the dos=-donts of the job. I came back in and walked out with the manager a crossed paths with another candidate. He said oh there is my 3rd interview of the morning (funny... they interviewed a second person and sent him away while I was getting a tour of the test tracks)

So after the long holiday wait I got a call back from the company and I will be starting next week makings a smooth transition.

 

So does the new job involve less desk time? Sounds like a good resolution if so.

 

Yes, most of the job is in the garage or on the test track.

 

Seems everything worked out for the best. Congrats. Stu

 

Sounds like a very interesting job. I hope it all works out for you. Congrats.

 

Sounds like the right job found you. Excellent!