Fired

[harygombus]

I recently got fired from my job of 22 years. They have false claims against me. Also, they tell me I was fired for just cause. I missed some time from work for medical reasons. Supplied them with a doctors excuse. I then supplied them with a second note upon request. The first had the wrong date. After which they also did not accept the second note because it didn't contain the medical information in which they were seeking. They put me on suspension from work for two weeks. Upon the completion of the suspension, they added me to an indefinite suspension upon a request form from my doctor. They showed up at my place of residence 3 different occasions during this process. First one, the publication director hand delivered a letter to my mother. Second time was for same reason in which I didn't want him on my property. The third time the HR director, shows up at my sisters place of residence, looking like a gang member, instead of that of a professional. My job was a Union job, to which I was denied proper representation. This all started in December of '07 and continued through January of '09. There is plenty of more story, but most of all comes as a direct result of my calling off work on two occasions in Dec. of '08.

 

[de_novo]

Basically, I would contact your Union rep to see if there is any possiblity to resolve this through them. However, it is doubtful. The employer has every right to dismiss you for basically anything depending on your state and it soounds like they wanted to for some reason or another. If you haven't already done so, I would file for unemployment. The burden will rest on them to prove willful misconduct on your part in some manner. If you are looking for another route, like a suit, then talk to an attorney.

 

[cbg]

Just as a point of clarification, while there are not very many illegal reasons to fire someone, firing them BECAUSE they have a disabilty is one of them.

However, it is also true that an employer need not keep a job open indefinitely and that sooner or later, an employee who is disabled can be terminated in favor of an employee who is able to come to work and get the job done.

Depending on how much time the poster had missed and some specifics on the documentation that we do not have, not to mention any protections over and above the basics required by law that may be added by his CBA, this may or may not be legal.

I do agree that his best approach is probably through his union.

 

[Green_Hornet]

If this a union shop just cause will be up to the arbitrator, it does not sound like it meets the just cause standard especially with 22 years service.