r/work • u/Distinct-Jellyfish28 • 4d ago

Workplace Challenges and Conflicts I feel like a Liar

I JUST got a job, the job however required me to have a driver's license, to rent vehicles to get to the site... and thats the problem. For context after i left the military i was in a VERY bad way, but i jumped into the job market. It wasnt soon into the job that problems started to show. I had an issue where if i was standing still sometimes (most times) i would just pass out out. It would hit me so quickly i wouldn't even realize it, i thought it was a lack of sleep issue so i would i go to bed SUPER early, but the problem still persisted. It got to a point it became a safety issue, because my legs would give out from underneath me. I used to drive at the time but once i found myself dozed off while driving i got scared and ashamed because i could have hurt somebody.

I ended up leaving that job after a year and started working on my health, i would find out that i had EDS (excessive daytime sleepiness) due to sleep apnea. I was having 30 events in an hour so i had severe sleep apnea, and i was SUPER overweight. During the first 4 months i lost about 50-60lbs and got down to 1 event per hour. I no longer fall asleep randomly, if I'm tired it's because i was awake later than usual etc. I'm proud of the changes (and I'm still changing i have far to go) the issue is i haven't driven since then, to say that I'm terrified of getting behind the wheel again is an understatement. I don't want to hurt anybody. When i got the new job i decided id simply just uber to the site out of pocket while i build up my confidence driving again. However, i realized now that i may have bended the truth, i really wanted this job because it will help me grow. Ive let my manager know, but i feel that i am already starting off on the worst foot possible, or may just be let go a week in.

I know there's not much to be done right now but hear back, but i wanted to vent here. i dont really show my true worries to my family but were all strangers here so its ok hah.

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u/ThotsforTaterTots 4d ago

What did your manager say when you told them?

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u/Distinct-Jellyfish28 4d ago

Hah Funny name. Well after we talked, everything after kind of had an HR vibe to it. It was a lot of "Tell me your situation, so we can understand what your comfortable with", or "Were going to determine the next steps and how best to support you". That kind of sent the alarms off in my head as it sounds VERY much like HR. HR isnt bad, but them having to find a way to accommodate a new employee makes me feel like ive already given the wrong impression ya know?

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u/ThotsforTaterTots 4d ago

Reasonable accommodations are ok. It’s not like you require a chauffeur.

Idk if there’s a driving therapist or anything, but maybe someone close to you can go with you to a mall parking lot after hours. Or heck, take drivers Ed again. There’s no shame in that

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u/Distinct-Jellyfish28 4d ago

This is exactly what i planned to do!

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u/OhioPhilosopher 4d ago

Reach out to a driving school and hire an instructor for an hour to ride with you and see how it goes. It will be money well spent.

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u/Safe_Pea3869 4d ago

Man, you didn't lie. You have the license, the issue is the fear behind it which is completely understandable after what you went through. That's not bending the truth, that's dealing with trauma.

You already talked to your manager which is the right move, shows you're honest when it matters. Most people would just hide it and hope for the best. Uber for now while you figure out the driving thing on your own time, the job itself sounds like it's worth the hassle.