Is there any way to save a job I've already lost because of addiction?

[BrightPinkTurtles]

Sorry, I'm new and still learning to navigate forums and threads.

I'll try to sum up what I can to get to my specific question. I have worked at a certain bank on and off for 4 1/2 years. I have 3 years of work history with them. They got my foot in the door and I always thought I'd spend my life in banking/finance until opiate addiction finally affected that along with the rest of my life. The first time I left after 10 mo. because my husband joined the Army so we moved. I started back with them within 3 weeks of moving home a yr later and stayed 20 mo. until I left for more $ and growth at another financial job becaus my position had plateaued. As a teller I asked to become a notary, cleaned stations & the common areas with my own supplies, organized and rotated files/shred, made list of helpful numbers/contacts/depts for any problem, volunteered at every event, monitored inventory and ordered supplies, in addition to having top transaction counts region/market wide, along with referals, sales, and learning/doing everything personal bankers do from my desk without formal training just to ease others' work load.
My addiction started right after I left the second time. I lost the new job because withdrawals affected my attendance and I missed 4-5 days in 4 months. However that lead me back to the bank, AS A TELLER SUPERVISOR! I did my work well for 5 months. I managed not to take off more than I had PTO for but I was regularly 5-15 min. late worrying about a shot or buzz to get me through the day in the mornings. I hit an all time low almost a month ago. Shit went down at home and I stayed in bed depressed, broke down, and sleeping for 2 days. Miraculously those 2 days a Mon. & Tue. just got me on probation. The next Wed. I finally found a Dr that could see me in 12 days! (That's amazing, I cried, bc sub/bupe Dr's usually have a wait list 3-6 wks out and I'd always give up and keep using.) That was the closest I'd been to help in a yr! The next day I accidentally overslept and was 1 hr late. I opened up to my boss about my struggle and that things would be 150% better in just 11 days! I was scheduled help & meds could have me functioning again same day. Unfortunately, she'd already reported my morning absence to HR so their decision was out of her hands. Honestly, saving me after the No call no shows was way out of her way...I was let go and ineligle for rehire with the company ever again the next day. I'm still heartbroken from losing them.
I guess I'm wondering if there is any chance of getting off a do not rehire list? My work was always excellent, I have A LOT of good history with them, I was seeking help for 8 months, it was finally in sight, and I would be open and honest to future monitoring. I don't expect my job back but it seems like a waste to forever refuse a good long term employee with years of great history over attendance issues while I suffered mental/physical illness of addiction over a much shorter time. Especially since I was so close to life changing treatment
If you read all this, I appreciate you. I needed to share my experience to paint the full picture. If you offer any advice or support, thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[Bearlove]

Hi there, you should really try and break your wall of texts up into paragraphs to make it easier (and more likely) for people to read.

Your manager had reported your absence to HR within one hour of you being late. This is an indication that she was already annoyed at you and was looking to get rid of you at the earliest chance (or she would have delayed that call) - do you think that maybe she had an idea that you were using and wanted rid of you.

You were not giving them any indication that there was a problem and you were (in their eyes) simply acting unprofessionally and they did what most employers would do in that case, fire you and probably down to the field of work you were doing more than the problems you had opted to initiate a the no rehire.

If this was for example, the death of a family member or something to that nature then you could play on the generosity of good will but in my personal experience, when it is down to substance abuse I would highly doubt a bank would go back on something like this.

I would always say that being honest is the best policy on things like this, however with your job including security clearance etc then I would be very careful discussing your use of drugs in that field as it would only take one word and your reputation that you have built up will mean nothing and it will not take long before the story of 'she got fired because of drugs' is mentioned.

You can use your time in this 'trusted' position to your advantage though, your employer has an obligation to give you a reference and if asked why you left you can say that you had a lot of family issues at that time that you let effect your job. You have now addressed these issues and you have learned that if you had only spoken to your manager you could have come to some arrangement (taking a shorter lunch break, working an extra hour etc).

 

[DogLover123757]

Hello, I don't have any professional financial experience but from what I know about most of corporate America once you land on hr's "no rehire" list it is permanent. Your employer was nice to help you out but eventually people run out of sympathy and grace. If you have some good relations with someone there you could try to get some face time with a boss or the best route would be to get some time with the HR director. That would take some personal string pulling but the director is the only one that can take you off that list I believe. I wish you the best in your journey and you are not alone I personally have ruined multiple relationships with good companies because of my addictions and the behavior that comes with it. If it was put in your file that you were fired for drug problems there is probably no chance of going back to that company.

 

[mrsnowygrainius]

it is an unfortunate situation for sure, and probably they won't hire you back. Why not take this time to look into getting another job somewhere else? Or way better, if you have some savings take a short vacation somewhere then come back and find a new job.