My 12 week family leave ends on May 3rd. Since that is a Saturday my return to work date was Monday May 5. Why do I say “was”? Well on Friday I got a call from my boss telling me my position has been eliminated and they no longer have a job for me.
Anyone have a shoulder I can cry on?
Ice Cream Mama 
Oh, God. Bethany. I’m so sorry. Love to you and your family. How shitty of your job. They aren’t promoting your “assistant” are they? I don’t know what to say. I’m really sorry.
WHAT?!? Can they do that? Is that lawful during the Family Leave Act? I thought they had to guarantee you a job – even if it wasn’t the same one you had before. I’d check into that. (but, it might only be for larger companies. Smaller places have slightly different rules).
Bummer, Bethany. I hope it all works out.
Crap that totally sucks , wow. I so agree with Karmyn, check into it. I used to be HR for a lg company and now way could we let anyone on FMLA that was totally against the law!!!
So sorry to hear your company did that to you. Yep I have a broad shoulder, so cry away, vent, cuss whatever you want, I am here for you!!!
Oh Bethany, what a nightmare. I know over here that would be illegal, I agree with Karmyn, it’s worth checking out.
I really hope you can sort something out.
Well my company did this once or twice..except being a larger company they could NOT get away with it during FMLA—however I’ve seen people come back to work and 2 weeks later get canned. I know both times the Moms said “Why even let me come back? What a cover your ass! I arranged daycare and jumped through hoops to get fired 2 weeks later.”
So maybe this just gives you a leg up on starting to look for another job.
I just think this is SHITTY…downright awful.
Eliminate, my ass? What they’ve done is take your workload and given it to 2 or 3 people that got crappy little $3,000 raises to take on the work and in 2 months they’ll be swamped to their eyeballs.
I’m sorry. So sorry.
Oh my goodness I’m so sorry! Like the others said…I’m assuming you work for a smaller company? That’s the crappiest thing I’ve ever heard. And why did they wait until now to tell you? At least if they would have given you more notice you could have had another job lined up for when you were supposed to go off leave.
Good luck to you!
I definitely check into the legal aspects. It seems to me (if I remember correctly) that you have to have a position to return to. Go give em’ hell.
Yeah, that seems really wrong morally, but I think it’s not illegal in this country. I’m not certain, though, as my information is based on nothing having to do with facts.
Either way, it blows, and I’m very sorry to hear about it.
I have such a hard time with the fact that you only get 12 weeks mat leave. That is insane. I already questioned its being illegal on twitter, but I wonder is there not some group that could help you out? Some family rights group or something?
OMG. Bastards!
I have something better! A lawsuit! That is against the law!!! If you work for a large company, they have to provide a job to you!!! I hope that you do work for a large company. If not, I am so so sorry Bethany. I hope those bastards get what’s coming to them!
Oh holy crap! Is that even legal?
What? WTF? I’m so sorry, honey. That is sooo not cool. i’m with Molly, is that legal? Thanks a hell of a lot, jobby job.
WOW…that is horrible. And it IS ILLEGAL!! Everyone is right. Even though they do not have to keep your same position they still have to have a position for you to return to. Look into it. And fight for yourself!
Seriously?! Who DOES that?! I can’t believe it!! I’m pissed for you!! Want me to come down there and kick some ass?!
I’m so sorry. I wish I could help 😦
Wait a minute, can they do that?! That ain’t right! And I thought they had to let you come back.
That really sucks but probably is legal. Your company only has to comply with FMLA if they have 50 employees and you are considered covered (Employees are eligible to take FMLA leave if they have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, and have worked for at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months, and work at a location where at least 50 employees are employed by the employer within 75 miles.)
FMLA = Covered employers must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following reasons:
for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care;
to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.
See here for FAQs: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/fmla/faq.asp
Hey, how about your Mom? Did they eliminate her position too?
I bet your assistant is doing all your work now.
Shit, that is just shit. I’m so sorry.
Holy CPA Mom knows her stuff! And unpaid…insane. Your country really needs to get on board with a proper, paid maternity leave. With a job to come back to as well!
ok forgive me if I am wrong but I thought that was illegal to do.. well regardless this just means that there is a better job for you out here.. one door closes another opens and usually for the better..
Someone told me once that in Germany, mothers get 2 years maternity leave and a guaranteed job upon the return. Somedays I wish I was German.
Bethany (it’s Bethany here, from Scoopalicious) that is SO awful. What a BUMMER. Is that even leagal, as Honi said?!
so, did you call the news networks or local paper???? expose the rat bastards!
Oh shit! That is so awful!! I’m with CPA mom, call the local paper!! Assholes.
I think you have a case and two legs to stand on, my dear.
Just a reminder, Karmyn’s Baby Shower is Friday…
Flew back by just to check on you with the other shoulder.
A wise person told me that when you lose a job, it usually means you’re going to get a “promotion”
I believe!
I have shoulder…that really is rotten. Take care.
OH my word-That’s just awful! I’m so sorry! I didn’t think an employer could do that!
You can have my shoulder anytime…
Well I’m always the last to hear, but this is horrible. I hope this has all been worked out or you have found something much better. Good grief it’s hard to believe this can happen!
I am so so sorry. That’s really horrible.