if the cancer doesn't kill you , my job will

is there anyone out there with this? My family ,my wife is my support she is fantastic. I found out last week my employer walmart is trminating me because i have cancer and can't go back for full duty, i was released for light duty but thats not good enough for them. I will loose my insurance for my wife and myyself , they just don't care

Comments

  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    Hit the press
    I'd like to see this in the media. Keeping you on for benefits costs them very little - a boycott from cancer survivors could cost them a lot.

    Please, at least copy and paste your comment to your local paper and see what happens.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    DrMary said:

    Hit the press
    I'd like to see this in the media. Keeping you on for benefits costs them very little - a boycott from cancer survivors could cost them a lot.

    Please, at least copy and paste your comment to your local paper and see what happens.

    as for the insurance, are
    as for the insurance, are you entitled to COBRA? the payments may be really high cost, but at least you'd still have insurance. sorry to read this.
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    Bad Walmart
    Sorry to hear your employer has failed miserably to respond to your treatment. Just yesterday, I saw for the first time a solicitation on the tv. It was a lawyer group who were asking people who han been treated unfairly--you would qualify--to call them. It was like you normally see for class action medical suits TV, but it was for people who have a lawful grievance against their employers.

    You might try finding the appeal on the Internet with a search. Or asking if anyone has seen the ad. Like I say, it was just yesterday, and the scenario you have presented would make those lawyers happy.

    good luck, Hal
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    Boycott
    I have not liked walmart prior to your sad story. Now I dislike them even less. I personally will Boycott them and let everyone I know what they have done. I agree with earlier post, let your news paper and radio stations know and get the word out. I boycott anyone who does not stand up and support their employee's thru Illness. Goes to show you how greedy they are.

    Prayers go out for you and your family.

    John
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    fisrpotpe said:

    Boycott
    I have not liked walmart prior to your sad story. Now I dislike them even less. I personally will Boycott them and let everyone I know what they have done. I agree with earlier post, let your news paper and radio stations know and get the word out. I boycott anyone who does not stand up and support their employee's thru Illness. Goes to show you how greedy they are.

    Prayers go out for you and your family.

    John

    I'm sorry for your diagnosis, but
    terminating folks because of cancer is illegal and any attorney worth his salt could win a settlement. You could probably hold auditions in your living room and select an attorney of your choosing. Might there be another side to your story? Could you at least tell us what Walmart said the reason for termination was?
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    Now
    Now I know why I never liked going to Walmart,there are ADA laws that I thought would protect an employee with an illness form job loss. Have you checked with your local cancer society for any referals for health care insurance resources?

    Best wishes

    Linda
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    That Sucks

    I agree I would go find a reporter who needs a good story to put on the News. Its bad enough to have to fight cancer but to get the boot from your job at the same time because of cancer is just not right. I am not sure how old you are and how many quarters you have in but check with SSI and see if you qualify for any disability benefits.


    Wish you well my friend
    ╠╣ONDO
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Unfortunately
    Don't take me wrong, but I'll be willing to bet, there is no where that Wal-Mart states they are terminating you because you have cancer....that would be legally costly for them.

    What they are more than likely using to terminate you is that you can't perform at a full time status as you were originally hired.

    Is this wrong, yes, morally and considering all of the factors.

    Other than FLMA, I'm not sure what exact rights you have in fighting them.

    Even though the underlying reason is as a result of cancer and treatment.

    You might be able to get one of those lawyers that fights the point and get some settlement or compensation, I'd be surprised if you can fight them for your job or benefits.

    Again, I completely understand your situation and frustration. You have enough on your plate other than dealing with something like this.

    Thoughs & Prayers,
    John
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    Big Corps
    When the family sells out to corporations this is what happens. The same thing happened to Kresges (spelling?) when they went corporte and changed to Kmart. I sqay contact a lawyer now. I will be boycoting them as others have said and I am praying for you.


    Debbie
  • palmyrafan
    palmyrafan Member Posts: 396
    I agree
    with the other posts. Walmart will never admit that the reason they are letting you go is because your cancer prevents you from working full-time. They may give reasons such as: "not living up to the potential/high standards we have" "missed too many unexcused days" "we are letting many people go (although I find this hard to believe at the beginning of the holiday season)" "last in first out"

    You will need to document what you were told prior to your treatments and after treatments were completed. Provide witnesses if you can. Appeal to the Director or Manager of your district (could be just store manager wanting to make his numbers for the end of the year for his/her bonus). Check out the company's appeal process. There has to be one. Get before a board or advisory council and find out what your rights are as an Employee. Also, see if you can find ex-employees who may have been let go because of the same reason. Got enough people? You may qualify for class-action status. I would also definitely get this in the media. The last thing Walmart wants or needs is more negative publicity. Also, check out what the Employee Rights are for your state. Just the hint of impropriety may make Walmart rethink what they are doing.

    AS for your health insurance? You might want to consider looking at independent insurance companies where you can get insurance for yourself. It's called Insurance for One. Your wife may want to check it out too. Sometimes, it is cheaper if you both go separately than if you file together. Also, COBRA is nice, but the payments can be exorbitant and make it cost-prohibitive to even sign up.

    Hang in there and Good Luck.

    Teresa
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    Unfortunately, it's not just
    Unfortunately, it's not just walmart. Any company can let you go if you cannot perform your job duties as you were hired. That is what they will use as their defense. Not going to say, it's because you 'have cancer'.

    It is really sad that they will not work with you, as you were released for light duty. I can sympathize, as my company told me that if I came back, I would have to come back fully. No easing in. Straight back into 48 hrs a week minimum, 3 closes a week, at least two 12.5 hr days..... Etc. There is no way I could do it. I am not married and I don't have children, and I was able to live with family, so not working is not as much of a hardship as if I was alone and with a mortgage. Which I almost was! Thank God, that house fell through and I couldn't get a clear title to buy it.

    I am sure hoping you guys can make it work some how. Can you file for unemployment? Disability? Also, check in the superthread under What if I Cannot Work, and Cancer And The Work Place. Prayers and good luck.


    HNC  SUPERTHREAD
  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006

    Unfortunately, it's not just
    Unfortunately, it's not just walmart. Any company can let you go if you cannot perform your job duties as you were hired. That is what they will use as their defense. Not going to say, it's because you 'have cancer'.

    It is really sad that they will not work with you, as you were released for light duty. I can sympathize, as my company told me that if I came back, I would have to come back fully. No easing in. Straight back into 48 hrs a week minimum, 3 closes a week, at least two 12.5 hr days..... Etc. There is no way I could do it. I am not married and I don't have children, and I was able to live with family, so not working is not as much of a hardship as if I was alone and with a mortgage. Which I almost was! Thank God, that house fell through and I couldn't get a clear title to buy it.

    I am sure hoping you guys can make it work some how. Can you file for unemployment? Disability? Also, check in the superthread under What if I Cannot Work, and Cancer And The Work Place. Prayers and good luck.


    HNC  SUPERTHREAD

    Arizona
    Is a right to work state, a company with 50 or less employees can terminate service with out cause. Luckily I am considered an excempt employee, AZ laws have different levels of excemption criteria, luckily for me I fall into one of the higher categories. The company I work for is owned by a California Co , they did their homeowrk on AZ law we agreed to 4 hours a day, get paid for 8 and maintain all benefits. What I can find out about the law my level of excemtion says I only have to work 1 hour to be paid for 8, would really need a AZ law attorney to verify, but not going to push the issue at this time.

    It really makes me sad to read issues some of the folks here have with employment and insurance.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member

    Unfortunately, it's not just
    Unfortunately, it's not just walmart. Any company can let you go if you cannot perform your job duties as you were hired. That is what they will use as their defense. Not going to say, it's because you 'have cancer'.

    It is really sad that they will not work with you, as you were released for light duty. I can sympathize, as my company told me that if I came back, I would have to come back fully. No easing in. Straight back into 48 hrs a week minimum, 3 closes a week, at least two 12.5 hr days..... Etc. There is no way I could do it. I am not married and I don't have children, and I was able to live with family, so not working is not as much of a hardship as if I was alone and with a mortgage. Which I almost was! Thank God, that house fell through and I couldn't get a clear title to buy it.

    I am sure hoping you guys can make it work some how. Can you file for unemployment? Disability? Also, check in the superthread under What if I Cannot Work, and Cancer And The Work Place. Prayers and good luck.


    HNC  SUPERTHREAD

    Having C

    Just hearing the words from your doctor; sorry but we found Cancer, it enough to destroy anyone’s life. On top of that to loose something like your Job because of it or because you can perform up to full status while going through treatment, is just not right in my book.

    I guess I am so very lucky to work for a company that has compassion and understanding about the care of its employees. To go through treatment twice and still be here shows that they care, I had to step down some but I never missed a pay check.

    I had other offers to go to other companies, but there is no way I will even leave where I am now working unless I die or get laid off. They were good to me when I needed it the most and I will be there for my company till I can’t do it anymore.

    Sometimes Company’s forget these days how to make good Loyal employees

    Take Care
    ╠╣ONDO
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Hondo said:

    Having C

    Just hearing the words from your doctor; sorry but we found Cancer, it enough to destroy anyone’s life. On top of that to loose something like your Job because of it or because you can perform up to full status while going through treatment, is just not right in my book.

    I guess I am so very lucky to work for a company that has compassion and understanding about the care of its employees. To go through treatment twice and still be here shows that they care, I had to step down some but I never missed a pay check.

    I had other offers to go to other companies, but there is no way I will even leave where I am now working unless I die or get laid off. They were good to me when I needed it the most and I will be there for my company till I can’t do it anymore.

    Sometimes Company’s forget these days how to make good Loyal employees

    Take Care
    ╠╣ONDO

    Bird Poop
    I thought the bird pooped on you...LOL.

    My company was great also, allowing me to work from home and connect my home computers to my work computers....

    I can't quit work for at least 3 years after I die....

    A good friend told me that if I die of something other than cancer, that I truely will be a cancer survivor...

    JG