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The YMyHealth Podcast
Trailer
Bonus
Episode 24
Season 1
Workplace Rights, Healthcare, & Chronic Illness ft. Attorney Paige Sparks
In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, Melissa Schenkman is joined by labor and employment attorney Paige Sparks and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and Long COVID specialist Dr. Sarah Diekman for a timely and informative discussion on navigating workplace rights while managing a chronic condition.
They explore everything from legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to common challenges millennials face when requesting accommodations for invisible illnesses like depression, ADHD, or POTS. Paige offers expert insights on spotting red flags when applying for jobs, advocating for yourself with HR, and documenting violations to protect your rights.
Dr. Diekman brings a healthcare worker’s perspective to the conversation, sharing the unique struggles clinicians face when advocating for patients while also navigating their own health and workplace dynamics. Together, they address staffing shortages, unionization, and what happens when patient safety and provider safety collide.
Whether you're living with a chronic condition, working in healthcare, or just want to better understand your rights, this episode is packed with expert guidance, practical tips, and empowering advice. Listen now!
Highlights:
- (01:54) Paige’s unconventional path into employment law—and why being fired was the start of something bigger.
- (05:54) Accommodations and invisible disabilities: What the ADA really covers (and what employers often get wrong).
- (07:33) The age cutoff for certain legal protections—and why millennials are often caught in the gray zone.
- (08:10) Building trust and awareness through social media: how Paige uses her platform to debunk workplace myths.
- (12:48) Dr. Diekman on unsafe staffing ratios and the impact on both providers and patients.
- (18:42) What healthcare professionals need to know about unionization, collective bargaining, and protected concerted activity.
- (25:06) When workplace safety becomes personal: legal recourse when healthcare workers face abuse or discrimination.
- (28:18) Tips for identifying inclusive employers and recognizing red flags before accepting a position.
- (32:55) How to properly request accommodations—and why it’s crucial to document everything.
- (38:09) What to do if you believe your rights are being violated and how to build a strong foundation for a legal claim.
- (42:00) Why Paige’s number one piece of advice is simple: Get FMLA—even if you think you won’t need it.
*Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have legal questions or concerns, always consult with a qualified attorney in your state.
Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/
Learn more about this episode's featured guest, Attorney Paige Sparks, here: https://sparkslegal.org/about-us
You can also follow her on Instagram @_paigesparks
And visit her law practice here: https://sparkslegal.org/
Have a question about today's episode? Email us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com. We will be answering your podcast episode questions in our next upcoming Q&A episode this summer.
Learn about YMyHealth's Founder, Melissa Schenkman here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/melissa-schenkman
Thanks again to our sponsor and this episode's guest co-host, Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com
Learn more about this episode's featured guest, Attorney Paige Sparks, here: https://sparkslegal.org/about-us
You can also follow her on Instagram @_paigesparks
And visit her law practice here: https://sparkslegal.org/
Have a question about today's episode? Email us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com. We will be answering your podcast episode questions in our next upcoming Q&A episode this summer.
Learn about YMyHealth's Founder, Melissa Schenkman here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/melissa-schenkman
Thanks again to our sponsor and this episode's guest co-host, Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com
Chapters
- Marker 01
- Marker 03