[rstewart]

Originally Posted by SunStreak

I think you mean "at-will" state. If you work in an at-will state you can be terminated for any reason...."right-to-work" means they have to have a legitimate reason to fire you - which would be a refreshing system to work in.....

Nope, that's not even close to what it means.

[CseMgr1]

This is outrageous. RUN, don't walk to an attorney's office. Your case has unlawful termination and sex discrimination written ALL over it. Do NOT let them get away with it!

[barefootlady]

I am so sorry this happened to you. I agree with the posters who advise you to seek legal advice. I also think you should not even want to work for a facility that operates in such a cruel manner. I wish you and the new baby all the happiness in the world. Have a blessed day.

[Mulan]

I sent you a PM.

[GLORIAmunchkin72]

Do you really want to work for a place like that!?

Originally Posted by hokiern

I am an Operating Room Nurse and I was recently terminated via e-mail after <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.qklinkserver.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=92&k=having%20a%20baby&st=1" onmouseover="window.status='Search for: having a baby'; self.ql_skeyphrase='having%20a%20baby'; if(window.event) self.ql_sevent=window.event.srcElement; self.ql_timeout = setTimeout('ql_doMouseOver(1)', 1000); self.ql_isOverLink=true; return true;" onclick="if(self.ql_timeout) clearTimeout(self.ql_timeout); self.ql_isOverTip = false; ql_closeiframe(); self.ql_skeyphrase='having%20a%20baby'; window.status='Search for: having a baby';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; if(self.ql_timeout) clearTimeout(self.ql_timeout); self.ql_isOverTip = false; setTimeout('ql_closeiframe()', 1500); ">having a baby</a> (July 20). I do not qualify for FMLA because I have not worked 1250 hours in the past year; however I have worked in this department for 4 years. The reason I do not have 1250 hours is because my son died tragically last year and I was off from January – July while he was an inpatient at Johns Hopkins Hospital. During this time I would try to come in and work when I could. I was not put on the schedule for these 6 months, but would call up and offer assistance when I could come in and work. I expressed my deep gratitude to my boss and upon returning worked in another department to help them out, and worked whatever and whenever they needed. I believe under this time I was protected under FMLA.

I was told about a month before I was to have the baby that I may be terminated. I had no idea I would be terminated, and had never been told before about the 1250 hours rule. My boss told me to either resign or they would terminate me because of the FMLA rule.

I have never been late to work, missed a day at work and got a perfect review three weeks before I had the baby. I have followed all guidelines, and trained half of our employees. I have started programs and done volunteer work at this hospital by having blood drives for our patients. I am a "PRN" employee which means I do not get benefits, but get a higher hourly salary. I have always followed the PRN guidelines. After I asked my boss if I could come back to work (after only 8 weeks off with the baby) they told me they were terminating me, and I could reapply to the same position as a "Part -time" employee. As a part time employee I would make at least $7-$8 an hour less. I was told not to clean my locker out, and to reapply for my position, therefore making less money. The department specific guidelines state they will terminate you after you have not worked for 12 weeks. I work as a nurse, and there is a shortage in my department by 25%. Can they do this? Do I have any rights? Bottom line if I had never had a baby, I would never have been terminated. I don’t have any interest in a lawsuit. I just want my job back as a PRN employee, I work because I love taking care of sick patients. Can anyone please help me or give me guidance as to what my options are?

[JBudd]

Sounds like you have a lot invested in this place (volunteering with blood drives and all). It's very easy for all of us to say "go somewhere else", but I know that isn't always an easy thing to do. I am so sorry about the loss of your son

I would think they are just trying to get you to accept less pay, and using legal loopholes to do it. I agree with consulting a lawyer, especially if you don't want to move elsewhere. I have never left here because this is where all of my social support is (also had a death in the family), even though I could probably do "better" elsewhere.

My hospital really hit the skids some years ago, working conditions were horrible, but we as a nursing union did something about it. It is possible to fight for change from within. If this hospital is where you want to be, fight for it. God bless, and let us know what happens.

[HappyNurse2005]

Where do you work? (PM me ifyou don't want to say here). I see by your user name, I can get a guess at where you live, which is very near me.

Can you get another job at a different hospital for similar pay? THis hospital seems to be treating you like crud.

I hope it works out.

[kimtab]

"Right to work" simply means that no person can be required to join a labor organization or pay dues to such as a condition of employment. I am an "At will" employee because I do not have an employment contract, and either myself, or my employer can terminate our relationship at any time, for any reason. Thats what my employee handbook says anyway. I assume federal discrimination laws would be the exception of course.

Sounds like you got shafted. They wanted to pay you less and they figured out a way to do it. But you said that the department guidelines state that you can be terminated after 12 weeks, and you asked to be put back on the schedule after only 8. So even if they are complying with the law, it sounds like they are not following their own policies. I would definitely see what the lawyer has to say, but have you tried going up the chain of command at the hospital? It may get you nowhere, but I think it looks good if you exhaust that avenue before taking legal action.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your child. How sad and tragic.

And what an insult to injury you have here.

I agree w/those saying to seek legal advice. You are not likely to get the most accurate information on a website, even ours. Get in touch w/a labor attorney as soon as you can and I wish you well. Again, I am truly so sorry for your losses.

[Kim O'Therapy]

I am sorry you are in such a nasty situation during what is suppose to be such an exciting time for you. And please accept my condolances for your loss. Company loyalty just isn't what it use to be. What happened? It use to be that if you were a loyal employee; you got the same in return. I guess its all about the almighty $$ these days and its a shame. The loyal employee that actually likes where he/she is working is the backbone of the institution. What I hear, Japan is one of the few countries left with the two-way street loyalty. Good luck to you and God bless.