I can't believe it. HR sent a certified letter to notify me today. I was officially terminated as of yesterday. The letter said that it was a business decision. That they can no longer hold my position. I'm supposed to call my former boss to arrange a meeting to return my security card, ID, and such.
I'm in shock. I just spoke with my boss last thursday. She told me that they wanted me to do as my doctor suggested and that if I needed another month of medical leave that they would work it out.
My boss encouraged me to try to come to at least one of the Christmas parties. The nurses party is tonight at my coworkers house. The company party is this Saturday night. I was really wanting to go tonight because I miss seeing my coworkers. But i've not been up to it since I just started the Tygacil and all. The nausea is finally settling down a couple notches but i'm in alot of pain today.
So I don't know what to think or what to do. And I can't stop crying.
I'm such a good, hard worker. I can't believe that this is happening to me.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I'm so sorry. Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I am very sorry.
I would investigate to see if they fired you improperly.
There should be clear cut company policies about medical leave, etc that should be checked to see if they followed proper procedures.
You may need a legal opinion.
I feel really bad for you. Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I wouldn't hesitate to go to the parties. The fellow employees know you're on medical leave and they'll probably be on your side when the find out you're fired. It's not like you did something wrong and got fired for it. Go enjoy your friends.
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
I'm so sorry. <hug>
Were you out on FMLA? If so, you cannot be fired for missed work. Are you disabled? Would you be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act? Seriously, don't take this sitting down. Get a lawyer. If nothing else, this should get you in to SSI.
I've seen this happen before with cancer patients. You need to fight it. Posted by cantgiveupyet (Member # 8165) on :
Were you out on short term disability? Long term disability?
Hang in there.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Hi Sammy,
It really stinks to read that this has happened to such a good human being (you). Hopefully you will be able to draw some type of unemployment or continue disability for awhile.
That said, I would also encourage you to go see your co-workers at the holiday functions. You've done nothing wrong and deserve to have some interaction with your friends if you are up to it.
Lastly, as much as it stinks, as much as it hurts you, it is no way a reflection on you as an individual, as a hard worker, or a compassionate woman.
It is more about money, business, and the bottom line.....Jesus Christ himself would be fired in lieu of the almighty dollar. Everyone is dispensable in this day and age.......
I've seen your good heart and helpfulness to others here and believe me, this decision had nothing to do with you as an individual.
So chin up and things will work out, Feelfit
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
How will this affect your health insurance? That will be important to find out. Can you get COBRA coverage? They have not given you any time to make arrangements for health insurance and that is terrible. Please look into it immediately, especially if you are on a very expensive treatment. Can you go see the HR people tomorrow?
I'm so sorry. It is clear you are a good nurse and the healthcare profession should be taking better care of its own. This was an underhanded way to handle this situation since your boss gave you no indication this was about to happen.
Good nurses are in demand. When you are able to go back to work, it should not be hard to find some, I would hope.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
ok,ya'll, you know i worked civil rights. let's look at this from another perspective. having done this for 30 odd years, it may sound horribly insensitive but i've had to testify in many cases. so here it is...
if you go to the party, they COULD say "oh she's not sick, she's out partying". and believe you me, they will.
we actually had people take pictures of employees who were out on sick leave and it showed them taking out the trash lifting heavy bags, mowing the yard, etc., i could go on and on.
i'm so sorry to be negative but i have to give you some thought. management can be downright dirty, i know, i was it and this is what we did.
don't give them ANY reason to turn you down. if they see you out and having a great time, believe me hon, they WILL use it against you.
they will interview people at the party and what are those people going to say, "oh she was great, having a good time, yucking it up."
believe me ya'll, i know of what i speak.
so if it were me, i'd not go. i'm sorry but i learned the hard way in many cases. i often felt so bad when employees lost but when they were claiming all sorts of things and we were out interviewing neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc., and in some cases, somebody had a grudge and viola!! screw time...
please forgive me, but i'm just being honest.
and i'm soooo sorry this happened to you. i, too, was put on notice, and i had to go to work crying every day. i finally made it to retirement and went two days after i was eligible.
please, hon, be careful and watch everything you do. don't give anyone a reason to deny you what you deserve.
Posted by MorningSong (Member # 19989) on :
Sammy,
Im so sorry to hear this news. I thought it was against the law to fire someone who had a doctors note.
Please know that I will be praying for you. Sending hugs.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
great advice Randibear....unfortunately this is life Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
it is not against the law per se. they can work around the law and believe you me, they will.
been there, done that...
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
Ugh! I'm so sorry!!
Posted by Karen Mc (Member # 23354) on :
Hi Sammy,
I am so sorry to hear this. I truly hope this will work out for you.
I don't know about Ohio but from what I understand Virginia is "a right to work state" so they can pretty much let you go for anything.
I will be praying for you,
Karen
Posted by Topaz (Member # 20216) on :
I'm sorry, Sammy. That really stinks. Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Good point, Randi. I guess it depends on how sick she is .... when I was really ill, it would have worked in my favor because I couldn't walk without help and was clearly sick .... but later in treatment, I looked well even though I wasn't.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
My coworkers have only known me sick. I've worked with them for almost 5yrs. Over this time period they have watched me struggle and get sicker. Some symptoms are obvious, some are not. But I never complained. I always did my job over and beyond what was expected.
They are also aware that I travel out of state to see my LLMD "specialist". When I first started seeing him and received my diagnosis they all came to me individually and said "oh, I'm so glad you're finally getting treatment", "we've been worried about you" and so on.
I've tried to educate them. They don't understand why I'm still sick and how Lyme could do this to me. They think that treatment is simple. I've tried to explain more but I'm only one person. They look at me and think that it won't happen to them or their loved ones. In their minds, I'm the one with the rare complications. It would be too scary to think that a tick could make them sick too...
So I didn't go to the party tonight. I honestly didn't feel up to it. It wasn't going to be a crazy party either, more of a cookie swapping, hang out in jeans and catch up with each other kind of get together. I just wanted to be able to go you know.
Oh, my heart is so broken! I care about my coworkers and I cared about my job. I can't believe that my employer didn't even have the decency to call me and talk to me. They just sent me a letter. Like it's no big deal. Well, it's a real big deal to me. How could they not see that.
Since I was on an unpaid medical leave of absence, not FMLA or some other kind of short term disability, they didn't legally have to hold my job for me. They just told me that they would. That's what makes it hurt so much more.
Now I have to call my boss and HR tomorrow. Maybe I can find out what happened. I kinda wonder if my boss even knows... Most importantly, I need to find out how to sign up for COBRA so that I don't have a lapse in insurance coverage.
Will you all please pray for me? I really don't know where to go or what to do from here. I can't imagine trying to find and learn another job right now. Finances, insurance (I'm in the process of appealing a very large bill too), medication coverage/treatment, this complicates everything.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Did you work at a place large enough to have to follow COBRA laws? I am so sorry this happened. Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I will pray for you for sure!!! Posted by the flim-flam man (Member # 23310) on :
Sorry to hear that. I too was fired from a great paying job in 2001. I missed alot of work due to Lyme, which was undiagnosed at the time. I was giving them doctor's notes, scheduling time off when I knew I would be out, etc., but I was let go anyway. It is tough, but there is always hope. The old saying "It's always darkest before the dawn" has been my motto for years. The "establishment's" ignorance of Lyme is totally baffling to me. You have my prayers.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
Sammy, I know exactly how you are feeling. I too was fired Christmas week of 02. My company did give me a year and were willing to give me a month or two more but....
My doctor told them it would be at least 6-12 mths before I could work again, if ever.
It was a major blow to my self worth. It was the realization that this illness had and would change me. But today I know they did me a favor.
I no longer had the "job" to worry and stress about. I had already filed for Social Security because I knew in my heart that this was going to be a loooonnnnngggg process.
I'm so sorry for your pain.
Pam
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
Thinking of You Sammy and hoping this turns out to be a good thing in the long run.
The letter was a shocker but guessing it is just the people handling the business end of things for some strange reason that we are not aware of.
Posted by grandmother (Member # 19908) on :
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
So sorry.
Remember, God never closes doors without opening windows.
I would get my pink slip and file for unemployment benefits asap.
Hang in there.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
Small world. I just got a written reprimand for missed work (6 days in rolling calendar year). I may have to go part time because full time is just so difficult. Will have to give this some thought. I fix one problem (or at least get it under control)then something else goes haywire. Sammy, I thought of YOU while I was signing my copy of the formal warning.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sammy... I'm SOOOO sorry to hear this. Breaks MY heart too. And YES, I'll pray for you.
ugh... be sure to check on the Cobra.. they have to tell you about it if as someone said.. the company is large enough to participate in it.
Wish I do more for you than a virtual hug.
Posted by WIZARD (Member # 4597) on :
Sammy,
Sorry to hear of your pink slip. Hubby was also "let go". Never got any letter or call. I found out when they paid out his sick time and sent the check. I called to see why he was being paid out, they told me he was no longer an employee. I didn't even tell hubby for months as he loved his job. That was 5 years ago, he still can't go to a job, with all the damage from LD.
Regarding COBRA, be sure to check into the subsidy that is paid right now by the government. It is $ from the stimulas package, and 65% of the premiums are paid by the Federal Government. It is called ARRA cobra coverage.
It is for anyone who has lost their job insurance involuntarily. It was supposed to expire on 12/31/09, an extension will most likely be granted since the job market is still in such a tough place.
Do not let your employer screw you out of this, it is a sizable chunk of money every month.
If you need more info, PM me. Wizard
Posted by Snailhead (Member # 18091) on :
Sammy, I don't know you, but I have been praying for you since last night.
Wizard, glad you had the COBRA 65% info; I knew there was a subsidy but didn't have the info.
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
Sammy, I'm sorry to hear this.
Geneal beat me to it:
When God closes a door, he opens a window.
Sometimes it takes awhile for us to find that window.
I'm praying it will be soon. Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :
Sammy, I am so sorry. You have had all kinds of good advice here. I am also in Ohio, so will be glad to do what I can. You can e-mail me from my website below. Ann - OH
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Thank you all for your kind words and prayerful support.
I spoke with my boss last night. It was hard. I still can't imagine not going back to work. I will miss my coworkers and the all the kids.
Good news is that I am eligible for COBRA. Knowing that I'm able to keep my insurance coverage is a huge relief.
It seems like each new day brings with it new challenges. I'm constantly being reminded that I need to put my trust in God. He is the only one that can provide for me all that I need. I want so much to serve, to glorify, and follow His will. It's hard feeling so sick and wanting to DO more.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Trusting is so hard sometimes, but I know you well enough to know your faith is strong and true.
Good news about the COBRA.
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Here is some information on the cobra stimulus deal. Sounds good and probably applies to you:
I am going to post this info in another thread because there are probably other people who are on COBRA insurance extensions.
Thanks to wizard for alerting us to this.
[ 12-13-2009, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: lou ]
Posted by Karen Mc (Member # 23354) on :
Sammy, I just read your post..the last one I had seen from you was the one where I thought things were going better.
I AM SO SORRY FOR YOU. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
It does seem like everytime we turn aroung there is something else to deal with.
PLEASE do not give up hope and keep your faith I am sure God will provide for you.
I am so glad you will be able to get COBRA and hopefully the info on the help you can get for it will work out.. I will keep my fingers crossed and pray (:
Love in Christ, Karen
Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
Sammy My goodness.. that just is not right.
I think we all know it.
I am so sorry you are going through this right now..
I hope you resolve any questions you have and also i hope that a new door does open as many have said.
I know it is easy for us to say and type and when your in it yourself it is so hard..
HUGS TO YOU.
DEB
Posted by LymeNetPerson (Member # 23588) on :
Hugs. I just prayed for you. Hang in there. Please get a lawyer. You need to know your rights and options. I now it's painful now to think of such things but the sooner the better. It can be much harder later and any evidence trail can get cold.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Thank you all, thank you for your prayers.
I went to church yesterday. It was great to be able to go but hard because I'm still not physically up to it.
On the way to church I had to drive by my workplace. I wasn't prepared for that either so of course it made me cry.
Then a little boy, one of the patients that I've known since birth, sat in the pew in front of me during the service. It was good to see him.
I'm really going to miss the kids. I've watched them grow over the years. I love all their hugs and smiles and stories. They genuinely liked me and trusted me. So did their parents. I can't even begin to tell you how good if felt to see their little faces light up as they ran to greet me or hear the sigh of relief in their parent's voices when I answered their call. It made all the hard work worth the effort.
So I'm moving on from this job with good memories. God only knows where I'll end up next. I've always enjoyed working with people old and young and in between. I have no idea what the future holds. It is exciting and scary at the same time.
First step, I have to figure out how to take care of me. Then I can go back to taking care of everyone else.
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Sammy,
I'm so sorry!! I read through most of the postings and I'm glad that you are eligible for Cobra benefits!
So you were a pediatric RN then?? I'm glad that you were able to see your patient at church, at least you know you will continue to see him.
I hope that you are able to get well soon and to work...you've been through so much stress with all the insurance stuff and everything.
Take care, Ocean
Posted by WIZARD (Member # 4597) on :
Sammy,
Today I got the news that the COBRA extension has been extended to June 30, 2010.
That means that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will pay 65% of your medical premiums until 6/30/2010.
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