Can they do this?

[rn4babies63]

I have worked a second job at a casual position for 4 years. Our minimum requirement for casual status is 16 hours in a block of time (4 weeks) and 8 hours of call. I have always done at least that amount plus worked many extra hours when they called me desperate for extra help (I work another full-job). I recently found out that I have to have surgery and will be off approximately 4 weeks. I was told that I will be terminated because I won't be able to meet the min. requirements in that 4 week time period. I have worked so much extra for them this summer, sometimes working 7 days a week. Is this discrimination? While I realize that casual employees have no rights or benefits, I feel that I am being punished for suddenly having a medical issue. BTW, I have never called off in the 4 years I've worked for them either. 6 months of that was full-time. Do I have any recourse?

[DutchRN09]

I think you are the kind of employee they are fortunate to have, and this is a perfect example of the many things wrong with hospital systems

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Talk with your HR department about getting FMLA paper work for your doctor to fill out. I think this would protect your job. Good luck!

FMLA applies only to permanent employees who have been employed for at least one year.