Feeling ill...
Well in my last post I mentioned that I was going to be going back to work, so I contacted my employer just to remind them that I am scheduled to come back in September. I have a really bad feeling about this and I am wondering if I will have a job to go back to.
Well in Canada we are entitled to a year mat leave (I know poor me) and they are supposed to have a job for you when you get back. Unfortunately my company has found a way to get around that. Now I have never heard of it happening to anyone but for some reason I feel like I am going to be the first. Almost 20 god darn freaking years and this is what I get?
I will not be going back to the site I was on so if they find me a new position elsewhere that means that my 30 minute commute (each way) just turned into a min. of an hour (each way). They have been hiring like mad on my old site, hmmm they don't have room for me? Sounds more like they don't want me. Makes me feel like I was just kicked. I worked my arse off when I was there and I was good at my job. Some jackarce that is a butt kisser and is never at his desk actually working took over my position and that really makes me feel like crap.
But the most upsetting thing is if I don't have a job to go back to I loose my drug coverage IVF. Another fresh cycle was bad enough but to add on the cost of drugs and no job it seems like the cost may be out of reach (insert me having to listen my mother WHINE about the extra $20,000 for her holiday in Sept and watch me go crazy). I am devastated
I won't actually know forsure until the day I go back. I am starting to look for a new job tomorrow just in case but Fertility drug coverage is scarce and you usually have to work at a place 3 years before it kicks in, so I am screwed either way.
I just don't know what to do but cry... this could be the end of my want to expand my family.
posted by soralis @ 10:42 p.m.
32 comments
32 Comments:
i highly recommend contacting your union president or greiveance rep as if they are hiring the smae job as you at the same site, they cannot legally put you at another site. that is if you work in a unionized environment. also sometimes union has some influence. so i highly recommend as someone who is involved in the union
I'm sorry Soralis... that really sucks. I've never heard of that happening but here in the US I'm sure our laws are completely different. Most companies here allow you 12 weeks of maternity leave... I can't even imagine having a year! You'd think they'd be a little more loyal to a worker thats been there as long as you.
Call the HRDC hotline and give them the situation. They'll tell you just exactly what your company can and can't do. Don't give them an inch!
Oh, soralis. I am so so sorry. I've never heard of that happening before - but it sounds like discrimation to me. I hope you can resolve this soon.
*hug*
Soralis...I am so sorry. I hope everything works out. How can they do this?? Maybe you should talk to someone about it--make sure you know your rights. Hang in there.
Thanks gals. Just thought I would respond to some of the previous comments.
I am pretty much screwed. First I don't belong to a union (I probably wouldn't be having this conversation if I did). In Canada they are required to 'hold' your position but my company has managed to get around that as they are a consulting firm and it depends on the market (you HAVE to sign paperwork that states this... I even had to do it when I went on Short Term disability during my PG).
I am pretty sure they don't want me back at my old site due to some backstabbing that I have heard of through the grape vine. I go to work do my job, work hard and I get this crap! Great.
I wouldn't really give a crap but it feels so personal and it could frig up my chances of having another child. :(
I still hope you look into this a little further, even if that means a little legal representation.
If, however, you are looking only at two choices, and that is driving much further or finding a new job and waiting 3 years, I would make the drive long enough to keep the benefits, but dump them once you get through a treatment.
Is it possible that they knew you were wanting to try to get pregnant again, and they would end up having to dole out another year of maternity leave? If so, that is blatant discrimination, but proving it would be difficult.
I'm sorry you are going through this, Soralis. I hope things can somehow work out in your favor. I am totally unfamiliar with Canadian law, but it just seems like there has to be some sort of legal recourse. Hang in there!
Soralis I don't know the legislation well enough to say whether it applies differently to consulting firms or not. But my gut reaction is that it does not. Just because they made you sign something doesn't mean it is valid. Companies get rid of employees all the time and make them sign termination packages that are not in the employees best interests but most people never take it to a lawyer so they never know. If you get word that they do not have work for you, I would definetely get legal advice. Were you hired as a contract position or were you full time?
Soralis- I am so sorry that you are going through this. Like we don't already have enough to deal with! I hope it all works out...
I would look into reporting them, researching the law and fighting for your job back(if you still want it).
Then again, I'm terrified to ask my boss for maternity leave for my foster child.
I pray you find another job with a company that treats you right and is closer to home.
Oh, what a crappy situation! It definitely seems like what they're doing is shady to the extreme, but it sounds like you've looked into it and that they can do what they like.
If that really is the case, and other companies would make you wait 3 years for the fertility benefits, I agree with DD - an extra hour's commute each day sucks, but might be worth it if it helps you to have the family you want. And then you can screw the co. afterwards!
I am so sorry about the job woes. I used to work for a company that did the very same thing to women. I do believe the rules say (for all companies) they must give you A job, but not THE job you left behind. I guess that's the price we pay for having a year off up here.
Good luck finding a new job. Hopefully you can find one closer to home, better pay & the same benefits!!
Hugs
Soralis, that just sucks. I agree with all the previous posters, don't give them an inch.
This should be the last thing you need to worry about.
Keep us posted.
Aargh! I really hope things all work out for you. It sounds like a very frustrating and sad situation.
I'm so sorry...this really sucks. I've never heard of this happening before. I know our laws in the US are different, but this just seems so unfair. Have you consulted with a labor union even if just to get another opinion or a recco for a good lawyer? there's gotta be something you can do. its so unfair and at this time this is the last thing you need to be dealing with. keep fighting the good fight and hang in there. We're all there with you. *Big hugs*
Oh my goodness Soralis! That's awful! How can they get away with this? It sounds like discrimination to me.
Take care. Hugs to you.
I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I hope it works out-- kind of a shame you can't start back up- get all the meds at once and then find something else. I hope it works out ok for you...
there has to be some recourse. this is crazy and sound like it is illegal.
good luck. i'm thinking of you and sending you hugs.
I am so very sorry your being mucked around like this, I hope something can be done to get you your job back, it's just so unfair.
Ok, well, I don't have any advice just a big hug and I hope the problem gets solved. All the problems, that is.
It never ceases to amaze me how infertility invades every aspect of life so completely that it's like, well, here's something to stress over but then there's the INFERTILITY so now it's just a crisis. And it's not a drama queen thing, that's honestly how it is.
Bea
You are entitled to your job. they cannot just give it away. I agree, that you should seek some further advice from any association/union that you might have access to. We are lucky to have a year, but it certainly doesn't sound fair what they are doing. Good luck.
Oh, that totally stinks!
If you take a position at the location further away from you, I wonder if they would let you work remotely, or split your time between the two sites, or even work at home occasionally?
I have a nasty commute, but it is tempered by a flexible schedule, and ability to work at home sometimes.
Good luck!!!
Soralis, I think the other ladies have already given out all the good advice.
I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry about this situation - it is really unfair. I hope that you are able to work something out.
Hang in there.
That is horse poo poo! I agree contact the Labour Board or w/e in your province and find out exactly what your rights are...
good luck!
This is ridiculous, Soralis! Definitely contact someone who is in charge of helping you during these times and get to the bottom of this. I hope you can figure this out!
Holy crap, I really hope that it doesn't eventuate- surely there must be some law to just kicking you after 20 years?
Take care love, and good luck x
Oh I so would fight that...talk to a lawyer or union rep and get them on your side. Or at least do the work long enough to get your IVF stuff paid for. Then give them the bum's rush!
Is there a manager at your company that you trust that you can talk through this with?
Thinking of you
Please Soralis don't give up, this company CANNOT do that by law. I know the Canadian legislation (the Canadian Labour Code) when it comes to returning back from Mat Leave and it states that the company is obliged by LAW to keep your position and if you come back, they should give you it, with equal pay (or higher) or a similar job of the same type that will not diminish the quality of position you have had in the past, meaning, you cannot loose any of the perks, etc... This also means that you cannot be relocated further. You definitely have a case of wrongful dismissal if they do not offer you the same type of job. I would consult with a lawyer before I loose all the benefits and file a complaint with the Human Rights Comission.
Check the Canada Labour Code (it explains it in full):
http://www.sdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=/en/lp/lo/lswe/ls/publications/5.shtml&hs=lxn
Hi, Soralis. I really feel for you (about your job situation). Nothing like getting kicked when you're down, huh? I wish I had some words of wisdom for you, but I don't know the business world. Sounds like dawnatello knows what she's talking about. Go with that!
Also, in response to your post on my blog. . . ummmmm. . . share my work? Gulp! We'll see. I have a hard time with that, but perhaps I will take a leap and share it on my blog. Not a bad idea. Stay tuned. . .
This is horrible, horrible, horrible, and even more so after reading your follow up comments. I'm so, so sorry. I agree with dd on taking the longer commute for the benefits and then dumping them afterwards. Legal representation definitely seems like a good idea. Again, I'm so sorry and I'm hoping that this works out.
It sounds like you have a lot of resources available to you for checking the legality of what your company is trying to do. I hope you look into them. Sometimes having a lawyer is all you need for the other party to realize you are serious and will not allow yourself to be screwed. I know no one wants to get lawyers involved, but something about them carries a lot of weight. Best of luck- I'm hoping for a good outcome for you.
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