I am an executive assistant and started working in the office, then went remote during the pandemic.
I returned to the office full time when the company mandated, but I had a condition that now makes it very difficult for me to travel.
My employer has accommodated through July, after which I must return to the office at least three days a week.
I’m worried I won’t be well enough by then, and they’ve already fired others who refused to return to the office. What are my options?
There’s a big difference between refusing your employer’s mandate to return to the office and a medical condition that prevents you from traveling.
An employer has the right to require employees to return to the office, even if for most jobs (and people) full time in the office no longer makes sense.
But an employer has to consider reasonable accommodations for disabilities.
If your doctor certifies that you cannot handle the trip, your employer would have to show that allowing you to work from home creates an undue hardship.
I would explain that you clearly have no problem coming to the office and ask what would happen if your doctor confirmed that you are not ready to come back.
There’s a good chance they just don’t want to give you unlimited time and continuous testing.
I am self employed as an Uber driver. I think I provide great service, but too many passengers don’t tip. Without tips I can barely survive. Is it appropriate to ask customers to tip?
I’ll be the judge of whether it provides a great service.
The last two drivers I had had a 4.9 rating but for some reason wouldn’t stop talking into their AirPods or keep turning up the music while I was trying to make a business call.
No tip for either of them (and they know who they are). You can tell your passengers that if they like your service, tips are appreciated but not required, or you can have a sign saying “tips appreciated if you like my service.”
But anything else feels like pressure or disgust if they don’t tip. It will also hurt your grades and may lead to complaints.
Gregory Giangrande has more than 25 years of experience as an executive director of human resources. Listen to Greg Weds. at 9:35 am on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande