*WARNING, This is a long post so get comfortable if you are going to read it*
I was a dedicated subject to Rent A Center for almost a year and found out that I am pregnant. Following my first OB appointment to confirm this, my District Manager and Store Manager at the time made sure to have me get a note from my OB giving me a lifting restriction as my job does consist of lifting and they didn't want to have anything bad happen in my pregnancy due to anything strenuous. I received this note from my OB on September 12. This note was put into my employee file and from there the store I worked in made accommodation's for my pregnancy.
I continued my job everyday, never requesting a special schedule or less hours. Approved for 6 co workers initially; we were a staff of 4 because of the turn over rate that seemed to affect that store, I was the newbie that stayed the longest. We finally found and hired 2 more who we knew would be a good fit for the store, smart and capable men. Our RM at the time eventually approved us for a 7th co worker for various reasons, so we transfered in from another store.
My employment goes on as does my pregnancy, 50 or more hours a week.
In early January I begin the process of filing my paperwork for my Maternity leave which would have taken place in May. (Now, keep in mind that my doctor has given my pregnancy and me working during a thumbs up, no complications what so ever.) Either way, getting the ball rolling for my Maternity leave to be approved and processed, Corporate mentions that they don't think I should be working right now due to the pregnancy. If the lady that told me that is correct, I would have to take an "Administrative leave" immediately. She explained to me that this leave would be unpaid, no job when I got back unless I qualified for FMLA but I'm not terminated either. The lady said that she would need to speak to her manager and let me know what would happen.
January 29th (my new day off) I get a phone call at my home from this lady in the Corporate office who informs me that I would have to be on "Administrative leave" immediately and I had no choice but to take it. This is unpaid, no job when I get back unless I want to relocate to another area entirely yet I'm not terminated. (AKA "Administrative leave?") Almost 7 months into a completely healthy pregnancy and that's it, all this time dedicated to a company and that's it. I've been working there since August as a pregnant woman, doing a damn good job at everything my job entails, collections, paperwork, customer service etc. And because I have a temporary restriction, (which was almost over by the way because I have about 3 months to go) I'm done. No more job, no more income and when I have my baby, I have to get back out on the job market and explain all of this to a new employer when they ask me why I'm no longer employed with RAC?
I'm a liability, therefore I am unemployed. I've had to go down to the local welfare office and apply for public assistance because of this and Rent A Center corporate refuses to even give me documentation stating that I am on an "Administrative leave" they insist on telling everyone who asks that it's a "Medical Leave" which I argue, my OB says I'm fine to work, so If it's not a forced leave or Medical leave, then I want my job back. No. Yet they won't give me proper documentation to keep for my records. My store manager is actually telling customers with whom I have very good report with that I have been having "complications in my pregnancy" and had to take my leave early. We wonder why so many people become so disgruntled? Rent A Center just tossed me aside because they figured it would be easier to discard me.
I feel powerless and have been getting extremely depressed because of all of this. Do I have any rights at all? Can a company really do something like this?
I didn't stress it at first because I thought they couldn't or wouldn't do something like this to me.
I have been a very valuable team member to my store, but that doesn't matter.
Make Rent A Center tons of money and whenever they feel like it they can throw away the very fabric of their company? How would they make any money if none of us on the front line were there selling their products, enforcing their collection criteria or doing their best with our market?
Something my father always tried to stick in my head that is great advice...
Stay in school, get an education and stay far away from greedy, life stealing corporate companies like this.
Here's the truth:
Being a Rent A Center employee you will:
1) Alienate your family and friends because of the insane number of hours they expect you to work.
2) Bust your ass, pull your muscles and hope that it's good enough
3) Get compensated as little as possible for everything you do for the company.
For as much as this company expects of you, they sure do not pay like their "co workers" mean much to them. Or treat them as such either. Did you know that none of the Rent A Center stores are allowed employee refrigerators or pretty much anything that has to do with food / refreshments in their stores unless it's for the customers? Many of the employees pull 12 hour days more then a few days a week and there are no scheduled breaks except lunch. Cathy Lee would be very proud. Makes you very excited about being an employee doesn't it?
Don't believe me? Doesn't matter. I have nothing to lose or gain by posting this other then venting. Life goes on and as much as there are always two sides to a story, sometimes the other side is really that messed up.
Thanks for taking the time to read my rants, ALL comments are welcome positive or negative. I'm always up for a intelligent argument. -NOWAYMAM-
*Already canned from the company so bring on the retaliation "Rent A Center" and followers, you took my children's financial stability away... Bring it on*
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