VERY upset

I got put on probation at work this week - supposedly for call quality. I take almost twice as many calls as anyone else and know more medical terminology, etc, so I KNOW my quality is NOT lacking - I was told by the cafeteria lady that there were 3 other people at work that had wls and all were fired within 2 months. I am so upset - I have never been fired before, but that is what is looming ahead of me. Any suggestions, anyone? (I work for Aetna - I think they are afraid I can help too many people get WLS approval if I stay on.)

Sherrie, I'm a supervisor and have had the pleasure of managing many wonderful people in my career. My suggestion for you is to cover your butt. Document, document, document. Keep a journal of how many calls you handle, what goes on during the day and make a note of anything unusual. If you do end up getting terminated, you'll have some documentation to support your position. Make sure that you keep your documentation in a safe place at home and don't discuss it with anyone at work no matter how close you are to someone. You'll probably have to watch yourself very closely the next few months and be very careful about what you say and do, but I'm sure that this will blow over. Make sure that you don't use the computer at work for personal reasons. That's one of the easiest ways for employers to fire staff. Misuse of company property. Hang in there. I'm sure it will pass. Connie

Thanks for that advice - I am keeping a file of all my 100% monitorings, kudos, and stats for each day - I hope that is enough. I am on line every day putting out resumes to hospitals and other insurance companies. God will put me where he needs me, but its hard to remember that right now! --Sherrie

I would contact HR and ask to meet with the person who put me on probation. I would ask to have a 3rd party present and then I would ask for detailed reasons for the probation and then I would ask to have a weekly evaluation meeting. If they even suggest not doing this let them know that you are seeking the advice of a labor lawyer. Try to find out if in fact there have been other people with wls fired. I would also suggest that you refrain from talking to clients seeking wls if that is their issue. Perhaps you can suggest referring them to others. While doing the above, be pleasant, be persistent and do not discuss it with anyone else at work. Hope this all works out for you. Louise -31

I totally agree with the other advice here. Document your tail off. Also, they have to have justification to fire you and typically a probationary status means you are performing below par or are violating some company policy. You need to request a document of the conditions of your probation as well as the criteria that you will be measured against in order to be declared a satisfactory employee. Also, do you have a union at your work? If so, seek the advice of the union leader and/or union representative. If there is a local university with a law school, call and see if they have a free law clinic. Talk to a 3rd year law student and get some advice about what to do. Lay the groundwork with HR to just let them know that you will NOT go quietly. Hints that you are covering your butt and that you are doing everything you are told to do to retain your position -- go a long long way. If possible, get an attorney involved now. Not one to communicate with Aetna per se, but to tell you what you need during each step. Better to be safe than sorry. Lissa

Isn't this a great site - You're getting very good advice and support here. I would like to add one more thing. Do not talk to clients about your personal business. I don't even know if you might have done that, but just in case, do not tell any client anything about yourself, including and especially wls. Mums the word about all this with all co workers!!!! Let us know how this turns out. Louise -32

Wow I hate you are going through this My insurance is Aetna...man that sounds SUPER fishy to me Sherrie. Everyone gave great advice. That sounds more like a lawsuit to me. Why only the wls patients...see that sounds sooo fishy. I wish you the best of luck and you are right... God will take care of you. We are here for ya! Chin up (((hugs))) Elizabeth M

I had w interviews today - I know I will find something else. I have a documentation file a mile thick of all the cudos and good things Ive done and I got documentation of all the WLS people that have been let go, but I will play their game until either I get fired or get something else. I havent been talking to anyone at work about the situation... I dont trust anyone there enough - yall are my support team!! I did find out that one person working there 3 years ago got wls then 3 revisions then a tummy tuck and a boob job and all kinds of things and ended up costing the company over a hundred thousand - when you consider they paid less then 5 thousand total for my WLS including doctor and hospital and anesthesiologist you can understand why those numbers make them nervous!!

Sherrie - I would highly recommend you contact the Gary and obesitylawyers.com and run it all past him. Tell him of the past folks who got fired. I will bet he will be able to advise you on what information you need to get hold of and things you need to document just in case this happens. DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS!!! They need to be cut to the quick for this kind of discrimination! Dina