Yesterday was my birthday - I'm 43 now. In my mail box I received a slip for a certified letter from my employer.
I picked up the letter this afternoon as soon as the rapid filling of my colostomy bag subsided from consuming the bowel prep for my colostomy reversal tomrrow.
I've been out of work since late April because I had a ruptured diverticular pouch with a severe abdominal infection. After being in patient for 3 weeks I went to convales at my fathers house.
I am fired because I failed to return from a "personal" leave for the surgery and to regain my health for the reversal tomrrow.
What an insensitive thing to do to a person on thier birthday and while they are sick! What a way to shave pennies!
So just let me get this straight, you guys have to be working in order to get medical coverage, you work for a healthcare facility and they fire you for being sick????
Sounds kind of screwy to me.... If I need to have something done I go to the hospital, see a doctor and get it done, for nada. I have had four c-sections, a spiral # in my foot, God knows how many sprained ankles( netballer) my kids have had grommet and all for the princley sum of NANA. And they say having a public health system doesn't work.......
Norbert, How terrible, but it doesn't surprise me. I can't believe how employers treat employees, and on your birthday!!! Insurance usually covers you until the end of the mo. Seems like they couldn't even do you that favor. I also believe things happen for a reason. Im currently in the process of looking for a new job due to insensitive comments from ND among other things. I felt hurt at first, then angry, and decided to stand up for what I believe in..myself. So I figured if they don't appreciate me I'll find a position that does. There are so many possibilities out there for you. Take care of yourself and remember #1. Good luck to you.
Good Luck! and lift your chin up, remember there is lots of jobs out there, and you are valuable, If you are a nurse there will always be a job for you. Perhaps they do not deserve you! Hope you find your niche!
I'm also sorry to hear what you're going through. As much as everyone would like to believe "they can't do that!" about your employer; I hate to have to say it ... but they very well may be able to 'do that'.
FMLA has requirements that each employee must meet - mostly regarding length of service (employment). Furthermore, FMLA doesn't apply to every employer; particularly small employers with less than 50 employees will be exempt.
As if that weren't enough bad news on the legal front ... if you work in an "at will" state, it may not matter at all what kind of medical documentation you have. I believe the terms used for ending the employment relationship in an 'at will' state includes something like, "at any time for any reason or no reason, by either the employee or the employer."
I'm doubt that the insurance carrier (not related to health benefits) for your employer would be happy to find out that an employee on medical leave had been terminated, but they probably can't do anything about more than be upset about it and send out strongly worded letters.
I would think that your best bet would be to see what your employee handbook says. If you belong to collective bargaining (a union), then check what the contract says or contact your union representative.
Good luck with the reversal (and all the rest of this mess)
Becka
PS: shameless begging attached -- if anyone can help me get ready for a conflict resolution meeting tomorrow after reading my ISO infection control policies post I would really appreciate the help! (I'm very sorry for co-opting your post Norbert .. I think my subject line wasn't written well enough to encourage folks to read it)
Norbert, ask to speak with social service BEFORE surgery in the AM. See if they have any answers for you. Your job right now is to get well and be strong enough to heal properly; focus your energies there and let social service do the details.
I am so sorry this happened to you...so insensitive of management to correlate firing with Birthday...check out options as described above from the posters as to your recourse with these a$$holes...keep us posted...
(((((Norbert)))) I am thinking of you too. Cobra covers you for 18 months (at least here in NY), but you have to pay the amount your employer would pay. Definately look into this so they don't try to pull an "existing condition" clause on you. Good luck. That agency did not deserve you.
Norbet: Just remember, where God closes a door, He always opens another. I feel sure you will look back on this as a HUGE blessing. Keep your spirits up! Debbielynn
I can't even imagine how this is affecting your spirit. First let me say HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY:)...even if it was tainted by an uncaring, lowdown, good for nothing, scummy employer..!!
I will also say...that I also believe, when one door closes a better one opens up. Take heart...today is your day to progress toward healing, and being able to once again...be a nurse.
You never know what is around the corner...and I believe you're going to turn that corner...and find yourself in a better situation in the long run. This employer was NOT worthy to have caring people working for them! Take care of yourself...think of the blessings that are present in your life...and take those lemons and make some lemonade. Because I believe you're a fighter, and you haven't lost a thing when you lost that job. You gained the chance to find a new home...whole and well...:)!!
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Because I believe you're a fighter, and you haven't lost a thing when you lost that job. You gained the chance to find a new home...whole and well...:)!!
Aussienurse2
180 Posts
So just let me get this straight, you guys have to be working in order to get medical coverage, you work for a healthcare facility and they fire you for being sick????
Sounds kind of screwy to me.... If I need to have something done I go to the hospital, see a doctor and get it done, for nada. I have had four c-sections, a spiral # in my foot, God knows how many sprained ankles( netballer) my kids have had grommet and all for the princley sum of NANA. And they say having a public health system doesn't work.......