Breast Cancer and My Boss Fired Me

Yep, I have been going through surgeries (haven't started chemo yet) and I submitted FMLA paperwork to my boss. We have a payroll management company that handles our workers comp and health insurance. It was at their recommendation that I submit the FMLA paperwork even if I didn't need to take off more than a couple of hours at a time. My boss sent me an email that he wanted to discuss it with me before he signed it. I let him know that it was a requirement but that I didn't anticipate taking off any more time than I could make up as I knew my job needed my full attention.

Friday afternoon he calls me in his office and says he is letting me go as I am no longer a fit for the company. I have been there for 7 years. I was the only employee for almost a year. I helped grow the company from $5 million a year to almost $17 million. I asked him how I could no longer have any value. He just shrugged his shoulders and said it is what it is. They are offering me a severance package but all I know at this point is they are continuing my insurange for 3 months. Big Whoop! I'm just beginning chemo which will last 3 months alone. I guess I'll have to go on cobra after the 3 months.

I used to have tremendous respect for my boss and we were good friends as well. His father died unexpectedlt last year and he got very cold hearted. I think he is upset brcause I can't be there for him as I have my own issues to deal with. I want to sue the pants off of him and may just do that. I'll wait until after the severance runs out first!

This is horrendous...I am so sorry you are going through this. 

In regards to cobra, there is a new government subsidy that will take care of 2/3 of the bill.  Look into that before you sign any contracts with them!

Good luck, good health, and god bless you.

-Diane

I just had a friend who settled an FMLA retaliation case with her employer in about two months.  I wouldn't wait--I'd get an attorney ASAP.  I'm sure there are many excellent ones who would represent you on contingency because of your cir****tances.

I hope your treatment is very effective and uneventful (well, as uneventful as chemo can be).  Hang in there--it's not unusual for survivors to have lots of drama right around diagnosis and treatment time.