Fired while on maternity leave
By lorelei1622
@lorelei1622 (329)
United States
September 15, 2008 7:34am CST
Yes I said in another post how I used to work in a greenhouse, this job was fun for the most part as I really like flowers. The trouble started when I found out I was pregnant. I refused to spray the pesticides, growth retardants, etc or go into houses sprayed that day. My boss got pissed and started hassling me. She worked until her 7th month spraying that stuff and couldn't see why I refused. (I never said it to her face, but her 15 month old son didn't make sounds, looked sickly, and didn't walk well and I feared it might have something to do with the chemicals.) My doctor put me on maternity disability the first week of August, I was due on the 15th. I was late and there were complications with his birth, he was very healthy, the complications were with me. Halloween came around and I got this letter telling me that as I hadn't returned for work they had replaced me. I was still receiving disability pay and my doctor told me not to expect to be released from disability until mid to late February. The complications were severe and I went to the ob/gyn more after I had my son then for my whole pregnancy. When I called and told them I hoped they told my replacement he was temporary my boss got all huffy, I told her if she took the time to check she'd find out I was still on disability and when I was due to be released I'd let her know. How many women have been hassled when on pregnancy leave? I didn't end up going back as I knew she'd make my work life a living hell. Did you go back? How did you handle it?
2 people like this
5 responses
@lazeebee (5461)
• Malaysia
15 Sep 08
You're right - it's no point going back to work for her, she would make your life miserable.
Do you have labour laws protecting workers in your situation? If so, then you should look up your labour officer (or whatever you call them), and check about your rights, and what actions you could take against your former employer.
Take care and hope everything will work out fine for you!
@lorelei1622 (329)
• United States
16 Sep 08
I could have gone back and she would have had to let me but I knew she would make it miserable and it just didn't seem worth the stress, felt good to keep her hanging and worrying until I was released though.
1 person likes this
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
15 Sep 08
I have not had this experience, but I do know that a lot of employers will do this, especially if they do not like the employee. Usually, your job is supposed to be kept for you, I believe it is up to six months. Then the employer can hire a replacement. In your case, from August to October, was only two months. Your boss should not have replaced you. She had it in for you, and this was her way of getting back at you.
I worked with a lady who went through the same thing you did. She was a HR assistant, and the HR manager did not like her. She had to go on maternity leave earlier, because, like you she was experiencing problems. The HR manager kept sending her letters to return to work, but she had not yet been released by her doctor. The end results were the same as your.
Hope you are now feeling better, and your little one is doing well
2 people like this
@lorelei1622 (329)
• United States
16 Sep 08
He's actually in his second your of college now, I recently changed jobs, my new boss reminded me of it when she said they refused to give me any reference. As much as I enjoyed the work, I sure don't miss the boss.
@babykeka80 (2084)
• United States
15 Sep 08
My job was more than lenient when I was pregnant. In fact I had both my daughters while working for the same company. They did everything they could to keep me as relaxed and were very flexible with my schedule. If I were you I would contact a lawyer. You very well may have a lawsuit on your hands.
2 people like this
@lorelei1622 (329)
• United States
16 Sep 08
This was some years ago, what brought it to mind was that I changed jobs 2 years ago and my new boss told me that when they called for a reference they wouldn't give one, which I suppose is a good thing, she could have been even more og a B@#*%# and given me a bad one.
@blind_eyed (253)
• Philippines
15 Sep 08
hello! i know exactly what you're talking about. i experienced the same. before i left the company for my maternity leave, i made it clear to my employer if i can go back as soon as i am able to work again. and he said yes. i was so relaxed with so much confidence that i'll get my work back. a month later after i gave birth, i went to the company and asked my employer when i could start working again and he bluntly told me, he needs to call for a meeting and he will just send me a message. At night, i received a message that he can no longer rehire me. Period. No reasons at all. I never want to go back there. I used my skills and the fact that that company was so popular, it was easy for me to get clients. I earned double and I think I got a better job now.
@carmela0210 (1591)
• Philippines
15 Sep 08
thats too bad!!your employer would have been kinder to you especially that you have a baby coming in your life, maybe you could do the paper works instead!!but anyways, atleast anoher blessing comes your way.
2 people like this
