Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.
Pregnant and Fired
So, I'm just looking for some feedback and maybe some helpful info. Tomorrow I will be 31 weeks pregnant. When I informed my employer I was pregnant and they asked what the timeline for working would be, I said until 3 weeks before my due date was what my husband and I were going for. Since pregnant, I have not had any negative reviews, decrease in productivity, no complaints on anything from the company. This past Friday they let me know we were going to have a meeting this afternoon. At the meeting today, they informed me that this coming Friday was going to be my last day. I was told that they had some contact at some of the facilities and were told I was progressing faster than expected. (In case you're wondering what I do, I'm a Podiatrist Assistant and we work in nursing homes. No strenuous lifting or anything.) To me, the only ones that can say how I'm progressing are myself and my doctor. So, basically I'm being let go because I'm pregnant. I was really blindsided by this today. Like I said, I've not had any complications with my pregnancy or performing my job. I'm going to file for unemployment after I'm officially done. I am still physically able to work, but I doubt anyone would hire me right now! If anyone has any recommendations of other course of action, kind words, or anything I would really appreciate right now!
Tags: discrimination, fired, pregnancy, pregnant, unemployed, unemployment
Views: 813
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christie Henderson on -
I don't know what to say about getting other work right now, but as you say I imagine it would be difficult if not impossible:( Definitely, though, you need to talk to the Department of Wage and Labor, if not a lawyer, because it's against the law to fire someone for pregnancy, especially if you're still able to perform the duties of your job with or without reasonable accommodation. A simple call from the labor board may be enough to scare them into giving you your job back, and if not you may have further recourse against them.
And if they are in fact speaking with your other care providers without your knowledge and with no medical need to know or prior permission, they're probably in violation of HIPAA laws as well.
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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on
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This seems illegal to me. Your doctor is the only one who can say how quickly you are progressing. Also, if you have been there for longer than 90 days, you are protected under FMLA. I would file a complaint with the EEOC in Tampa. I did the same when I was fired for being pregnant. It's a shame they do this to us at our most fragile time. Like you don't have anything else to worry about right now! Along with the EEOC, I also recommend attorney Peter Helwig. Good luck to you!
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on -
Renee, I am so sorry to hear your story, this is the last thing a pregnant woman should have to worry with. The two ladies above have given some good recommendations and was glad to see Jmarr come on board. She's spoken here of her experience and I hope it can aid you.
Try not to stress too much. I no, easier said than done but you won't get these last weeks pregnant back, enjoy them while you can.
On a side note, if you, deep in your heart, feel you were let go just because you are expecting, it should be addressed. Good luck with the remainder of your work week, I hope it goes smoothly.
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Permalink Reply by MandyJay on -
Absolutely get in touch with the Department of Labor and I'd recommend consulting an attorney that specializes in employment law. It sounds like you were fired for being pregnant and that, if memory serves, is most definitely against the law.
Those folks just messed up big-time.
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Permalink Reply by Renee Harden Dunham on
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Thanks everyone! I went onto the EEOC website and have printed the intake questionnaire to get the process started for filing a formal complaint. I really do feel this was discrimination against my pregnancy, and I don't want to not try to take action and regret it later! I'm still kind of reeling from it all, but starting the process of standing up for myself is helping me feel a little better. They did send an email last night basically restating that Friday would be my last day, and this was the last paragraph:
"As we discussed, you have performed your duties and responsibilities well and I only wish you and your family the best. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me anytime."
So, today I sent an email back requesting they furnish a letter of termination on letterhead stating the reason for my discharge. I'm still waiting on the letter, and I'm VERY curious as to what they're going to put on there. Again, thanks to everyone!
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Permalink Reply by Joyce H on
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Glad you are doing something about this, when I first read this, it made me sad to think there are such uncaring people out there and I only wish you the best and like Shawn said, try not to stress too much. You know you have support here.
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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on
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I wouldn't be surprised if you don't hear back from them. If you do, and they change the reason for termination, I would email them back with the names of the people who told you it was due to your pregnancy, etc. and let them know that was not the reason you were given. Keep notes of everything that happened..what was said, by whom, on what day etc. You will need it. Please keep us posted! Good luck!
Renee Harden Dunham said:Thanks everyone! I went onto the EEOC website and have printed the intake questionnaire to get the process started for filing a formal complaint. I really do feel this was discrimination against my pregnancy, and I don't want to not try to take action and regret it later! I'm still kind of reeling from it all, but starting the process of standing up for myself is helping me feel a little better. They did send an email last night basically restating that Friday would be my last day, and this was the last paragraph:
"As we discussed, you have performed your duties and responsibilities well and I only wish you and your family the best. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me anytime."
So, today I sent an email back requesting they furnish a letter of termination on letterhead stating the reason for my discharge. I'm still waiting on the letter, and I'm VERY curious as to what they're going to put on there. Again, thanks to everyone!
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Permalink Reply by Christie Henderson on
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I'm sure you already have, but be sure to print out and save that e-mail also!
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Stacie (Paco10778) on -
I was just going to suggest that Christie! Print it out and forward it to your personal email address. Also, you may want to print the formal meeting request (if it was emailed to you) which will show the list of attendees and the date and time you were told this information. Companies still think they can do what they want, because people don't want to, know how to or think it's not worth it to stand up to them! Good luck and I'm sorry to hear about what occurred. That email will be your saving grace because they basically said that you were doing your job satisfactorily!
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Permalink Reply by Renee Harden Dunham on
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Well, today was my last day. Still haven't received the letter of termination I requested. I'm going to give them until this coming Tuesday, which will have been a week since my original request. If I haven't received by then, I will send a second request.
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Permalink Reply by Christie Henderson on
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Any new updates?
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Permalink Reply by Renee Harden Dunham on
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FMLA isn't a factor because they are under 50 employees. I didn't have health insurance with them, so not worried about that. I have unemployment filed for, just waiting for their response.
Last night I spoke to the EEOC investigator, he is quite curious as to their reasons for letting me go also, especially since they praised my performance in the email they sent. There was another girl that held the same kind of position I did, she had a baby a few months back but I don't know how they treated her, so he's going to look into that. How they treated her may affect the outcome of my case. He said that resolution could take 6-9 months, if not longer depending on how the company wants to act. Ultimately, the main thing I want out of this is for them to know they can't treat people like that. But, the investigator said I can also try to get the income I lost and a letter of recommendation from them. I'm going today to get a letter from my doctor stating I'm still able to work, have no complications, etc. The investigator said it wouldn't hurt to have just in case.
Also, I sent a reminder to the Pres of the company Tuesday evening that I still hadn't received the letter of termination I requested. No response yet, big surprise.
So, that's where we're at now, just a wait and see what the company says and does.
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