Refused to be given more shifts after a psychotic episode despite being declared fit to work by a psychiatrist
Hi, I was wondering if I could get advice on this situation. I had a psychotic episode about 4 months ago. During the episode, my work performance was poor and I missed work without calling ahead twice. When the episode had subsided, I met with HR and explained the situation and provided a psychiatrist's note to motivate my absences and performance. The psychiatrist recommended I stay at work and do not take further time off as it could help with my recovery, but I was still cognitively slow and initially asked some accomodations from HR while I was recovering (shorter shifts, afternoon shifts as I had trouble waking up early), which they agreed to. There was one further incident at work where I had to leave suddenly because I fainted, I was diagnosed with PTSD at the ER.
After a few months, I got better and requested more shifts as I, obviously, have financial obligations. My performance is back to I would say pre-episode standards, though I get tired more quickly I'm generally able to hide this and function normally. HR scheduled a meeting with me and told me they were uncomfortable giving me any more work (I work about 10 hrs a week currently) without a neurological assessment. I was put on a waiting list after inquiring with my doctor - but it could be 6 - 24 months before I am able to meet a neurologist. HR has asked if it would be possible for me to pay out of pocket to see a neurologist earlier, but it would cost about $2000, and I am already heavily in debt from working so little during my episode and recovery. They explained that they do not want to be liable if I have another episode triggered by stress if I work more than 10 hours (although I am managing my health and was approved to work by a specialist) and that their hands are tied until I see a neurologist, which for some reason they put more trust into than a psychiatrist.
What are my options here, and is this legal ? I am grateful I was not fired during my episode and that they made accomodations, but it is getting very difficult to navigate this situation financially. I do not qualify for social security or disability because I was declared fit to work and I do have a job. If I go on leave I will not make enough money on EI because I have not been working enough. I also had to drop out of school because of this episode and I now have to pay back about $7000 student loans. Any advice welcome.