having too many abscences

by Anonymous
( NC)

I was fired at my previous job also for too many occurences. I had been diagnosed with clincal depression and was on cymbalta. When I lost my last job I could not afford to pay for my meds so I weaned myself off and toughed it out. 3 months into this job I restarted on it. But not with out several crying spells at work. I am a nusre and work on a step down unit. I have been so much better since I am back on cymbalta. No more crying at work and I have committed to no more absences since at the time I had 5 occurences. After 6occ. is suspension and after 7 is termination. My manager is very intinmidating and likes her power. I have been at my job about 11months now. I work hard and am never late. This past week I was suppose to work Mon night and that day started with fever, chills and pain, which has progressed into a major cold. I have been to the doctor and am on antiboitics and cold meds. I called in sick Monday 1/18/2010 and was called Tuesday 1/19/2010 by the unit secretary and she said the manager ask if I could work that night shft 7p-7a. And that she would remove my previous absence if I would. Off course I said yes. I laid down quickly to get a few hours of sleep, alarm went off at 5:30pm and I got a quick shower, went directly to work by 6:30pm. When I got to work and slowed down I realized that I was getting sicker by the hour and could not work. I told the charge nurse and never clocked into work nor did I take report on any patiens. The house superviser required I take a urine drug screen, which I willing did as I had nothing to hide. My manager never called me to tell me what to do. I called her and she rudely told me it depends on the results of the drug screen which I am not concerned about but she also told me I may be terminated anyhow for having 6 occourences. I love my job and work hard. I take this very serious. I live alone and have no family to go to for financial support. Thanks Carol,



Hi Carol,

Just make sure you get doctors notes and check the requirements to see if you are currently eligible for FMLA

Fact sheet #28 says this:

EMPLOYER COVERAGE
FMLA applies to all public agencies, including state, local and federal employers, local education agencies (schools), and private-sector employers who employed 50 or more employees in 20 or more workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year, including joint employers and successors of covered employers.
EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for FMLA benefits, an employee must:
• work for a covered employer;
• have worked for the employer for a total of 12 months;
• have worked at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months; and
• work at a location in the United States or in any territory or possession of the United States where at least 50 employees are employed by the employer within 75 miles.