Toxic Work Enviroment

[Barbisi]

The stopgap job that Zombie13 gratefully started in November 2025 has denigrated into an awful, and toxic work environment where every medical outage including those outside the so-called "core work hours" of 10am- 3pm are highly analyzed and dissected, even when he explains these are vital and potentially serious tests, bloodwork orders, CT scans, and ultrasounds and necessary new provider visits and consultations.
I am dealing with multiple issues on different health fronts, such as kidneys, liver, a possible hernia, and even an eye freckle concern! Some I can tackle on my own (like the eye doctor follow-up because my driving won't be impaired and the office is in Issaaquah where we live), but most require lengthy drives to forbidding diagnostic centers and fasting which requires support from my husband as my advocate.
His anal retentive and nosy manager is questioning every absence, wondering why I need "so many visits, etc."
This close monitoring of Zombie's every move has prompted him to abandon all chiropractic and not establish care with a new PCP, because it would likely cause him to be away from the vital job during the critical 10am -3pm core hours, since doctor visits seldom align with restrictive appointment times that this boss would approve. He always makes up any missed hours ahead of the scheduled outage or afterwards, but this little "runt"(his words) seems to be singling him out for medical absences, while other come to work habitually late or leave early with this bosses' knowledge.
Now, they are even pressuring him to work (at least) one week in Tijuana, Mexico, a Category 4 crime spot, without a corporate CC, which better firms routinely offer all employees. They are expecting him to apparently pay his own way for airfare, food and lodging and maybe later they would reimburse him the cost of the work trip! Of course, given the sketchy nature and potential dangers of this high alert area and my still to be scheduled procedures, he is going to decline. He can support the antenna racks on the internet and by phone if need be. No reason to risk his life for a lower paying job with bare minimum PTO, and static pay with no merit increases.
This company clearly does not value his well-being and safety! To them he is a human machine to be discarded when he is of no more use to them.
Thank you for reading this frustrated rant everyone.
Yes, he is looking for other positions, but in light of the worst tech job market in many years, he will probably have to look for some time to come!!!
Your thoughts, justbroke , Carmella , shipo , and anyone else who wants to offer constructive support or advise!

[justbroke]

That's a lot to deal with. It reads as though Zombie is trying to balance keeping the job and not rocking the boat. I left a job when I had a manager who was just not nice. I "retaliated" by resigning and leaving them in a bad position. My manager's boss, a division manager, begged me to stay for several weeks to transition; I obliged him because I respected the division manager. I sent my message loud and clear that I can't work with that manager. I didn't have a backup job. It was terrifying for me.

I do understand why some employers are tough on absences. A friend works for Walmart as a supervisor, and has for years. My friend has lots of flexibility to deal with children, but all changed in the last 6 months. Walmart has become much tougher on absences and questioning everything, even when her child breaks her foot. That's for a person with 25 years with. Walmart at the same store. This new trend to be tougher on absences is likely because the job market is allowing the employers to be more selective.

Best wishes to you both.