February 27, 2007

What Would You Do?

Imagine...you’ve been working for a large, very well-known, exceptional company for the last five years. Two out of the last five, you’ve been serving in a leadership position in which nobody else in your state serves. You have a boss with whom you think you have a pretty decent relationship. Oh, let’s go out on a limb here and say that (hypothetically) you are a trainer, and you have to train near the office your boss holds, two hours away. So you rent an apartment to be there two weeks out of every month. You are accommodating, positive, enthusiastic and a great trainer (forgive me for being so blunt about your performance) and you’ve never had a negative performance review from anyone in your state organization (which is about 400 people). You go! You’re awesome!!

THEN, you get pregnant. (if you’re a guy reading this, just go along with me here) So you take maternity leave. Let me just cut to the chase here…five weeks into your maternity leave (and not having heard from your boss at all during this time), you receive a letter. This letter is from your boss and he’s just let you go. He says that in four weeks, you will no longer have a job. The letter says that you really haven’t done anything wrong, he just wants someone new. He’d like to implement a new program that you’ve been trying to sell to him for the last two years, to no avail. Oh yeah – and he’s already got someone to fill your place. And did I mention that this information comes to you VIA LETTER?

So, now you’re unemployed. Don’t get me wrong – you love the fact that now you get to stay at home with your child, but never the less, you got canned….BY LETTER!

So…what would you do?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Call your HR representative, call the EOE. They can't fire you while you're on maternity leave! That's absurd. You should be getting some kind of compensation package or something! That's messed up!

Anonymous said...

SUE! SUE!

Anonymous said...

by the way - I forgot to add the fact that I'm an "independent contractor" so I can't get unemployment or sue (DAD!). As for a severence package or something - interesting you say that....I had to ASK for one (of sorts) and was denied. Oh well - I guess when it comes down to it, people aren't always what they seem.

Anonymous said...

Have you talked with some of your contacts from St. Louis to get their opinion on this?

AliciaDawn said...

Are you serious? OMG Rachel. Have you called an attorney? And by letter???? WTH??? Did you call your boss and tell him/her that you recieved the letter?

Amanda Noel said...

OMG Rachel, that is the BIGGEST crock I have ever heard. Unbelievable. I guess that shows you what these people are REALLY all about. I am not usually a advocate at all of attorneys and lawsuits, but FOR REAL. Do some serious talking to an attorney. Are you sure you can't??

Anonymous said...

Rachel, you need to talk to your HR department in person if at all possible. Document everything you have and take it even where you had to pay rent for an apartment. He can't let you go because you are pregnant so he found away around it!!_). Hang in there, it will work out...Keep the faith!!!!

Anonymous said...

I wish I had some words of wisdom, but all I can think of is "That sucks!" And...everything happens for a reason! Hang in there!

Kallie said...

Rachel,

He's got to have someone above him...can you go to them? And if all else fails you could alway report them to the better business bureau! Or at least threaten to...

Something should be done! And, by the way...I didn't know that you were leaving for a month! Where's JD? I haven't talked to you in soooo long! Have a good trip and we'll miss you!

Kallie

Anonymous said...

That's not right. There must be something that you can do about this. I don't know what it is but I thought that maternity leave was a right that everyone has without the threat of being let go. Well, if this is the way it is, stay positive and get a great reference.. It's still not right!

Anonymous said...

I work in HR and linked to you from Anna Log. Coincidence really. Listen, this is a huge corporate no no. Get a lawyer. This is discrimination. Do not speak with your HR department until you have legal counsel. I am assuming your legal department sent the letter in the first place.

Unknown said...

I know I am so late-but I forget to check in on the blogs-I didn't know as trainer you were still independent contractor. Was there some sort of intial contract when you signed on to be trainer? Obviously they can't break that if there is. But I agree with everyone else-that's sucky. Good luck-Jessica