OMG! They fired me?

[johnsonbunch]

Yes, I've been blessed with a great recovery so far, and I haven't hit 3 weeks post-op yet. I found a friend that's a freelance artist to take over for me the 4-6 weeks I was on medical leave. (I am art director for a magazine.) I trained my friend, made a procedure manual and cheat sheets, made sure everything was cool for my leave, and then today the owner calls me and says I'm out of a job. HUH? She's decided to cut the pay and the hours, and instead of negotiating with me, says she's replacing me because she doesn't know how long I'll stick around. We sold our Florida house at the end of March and were originally planning to move over the summer but that got delayed because of my surgery. Plus, there's nothing for work up there (we have a house on the TN/NC line that was also for sale but this one sold first). I told her all along that she'd get plenty of notice and I'd be sure everything was covered, but now I'm unemployed. I filed for unemployment today and will speak to a lawyer about unfair discharge during a planned medical leave. What a bit*h! I beleive everything happens for a reason and doors open when they're suppose to (like my husband getting a job with awesome insurance so I could get the surgery), but this is a shocker.

[lapieper]

What a total bummer. And yes, when one door closes, another opens. I could go on with lots of cliches, which you don't need to hear right now. Just focus on your healing. And take one day at a time. Hugs, Les

[kt2009]

I can't even believe that! I am so sorry. My dad worked HR for years for many differen companies, big and small. I'll have to bend his ear about this one at dinner tonight. Just a lot to make sure that you still have available to you....health insurance for one. (We need a little smilie with smoke coming out of his head!).

[kt2009]

oops...I see that you have insurance through your hubby....but if her reason is that she wasn't sure when you'd be back???That's what FMLA and short term disability and all that stuff is for..I think.

[Doodles]

That is so awful. I think you're right in seeing an attorney. I think you are handling the situation quite well especially after just having surgery! Good luck with this and concentrate on getting well. Janet

[valleygirl]

Sandy,

I'm so sorry to hear this is happening to you! As if you need more stress right now...not! I hope you can get some satisfaction with your attorney.

Keep up the good work on your recovery and don't let this hinder it. I've still got you in my prayers.

All the best,

[debbei]

That's horrible of your boss, even if it's not illegal, she should be ashamed of herself. I seemed to remember a minimum # of employee part of that law, and this is what I found:

"Employees are eligible for leave if they have worked for their employer at least 12 months, at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Whether an employee has worked the minimum 1,250 hours of service is determined according to FLSA principles for determining compensable hours or work."


Maybe something even BETTER will turn up. It did for me.

Good luck, and let us know what the lawyer says.

[52skeedoo]

I'm so sorry to heard your horrible news. I have to say that with a boss like that, you are probably better off, but what she did is just wrong on so many levels. I agree with you that a "window always opens". I hope yours opens soon.

[johnsonbunch]

Thank you all for your support and letting me vent. I am lucky the insurance is through hubby, so at least that's covered. We're looking at this as a reason to make the move quickly. Wish me luck!