I was employed by Perdue on Feb 9 (Perdue being a major processor/supplier of poultry). The job title is general labor, and my department was Enviseration. My pay grade was 10.60 an hour, I pretty much enjoyed my job, as it paid the bills. I found out I was pregnant with my second child in mid july. I wasn't having any problems until, I was working on the line one day (August 29th) and felt sharp pains in my abdomen. I told my supervisor, and she only allowed my the go to the restroom.
To make a long story short I was having what seemed to be a miscarriage. I left work to go to the emergency room. At the ER i was imformed that I had an eptopic pregnacy that had started to rupture (which by the way is deadly). I was giving a methotrexate shot in order to help remove the remaining tissue. Also having to be taking out of work by my OBY-GN... And put on bed rest. I informed my employer that I was being taken out of work. They required me to fill out paper requesting FMLA (after telling me I had been there long enough to recieve Medical leave benifits). They gave my the paper work on August 31 and told me they had to be back by Sept 15. On September 1, the paper were taken to my OBY-GN to be filled out. On Sept 2 I picked the paperwork up and took them to the Medical Office (which requires me to sign in). I was to be out of work from Aug 29-Sept 7. I had a Dr. Appt on Sept 8 which I was informed that I was goning to be out longer. I again informed my employer, that I would be out longer, and also to asked why I had not heard back from the HR department about my Medical Pay. The nurse stated that maybe my paperwork had not been filled yet.
On Sept 16 I recieved a call from my supervisor stating that I was being terminated for falling to turn in my FMLA paperwork. I informed her that I had already turned it in. I also called back to the medical department to let them know again that it was turned in. Once again I was informed that someone would contact me. No one did, and I was fired. I then applied for umemployment benifits, because I felt I was wrongfully terminated, especially after calling and letting them know the paper work had been turned in. Of course i was denied, Perdue stating that I did not fill out the state req FMLA paperwork. I appealed the decision and even provided documentation from my OBY-GN, stating that he had in fact filled out the paperwork.
My appeal was an over the phone appeal, which was between Perdue's lawyer, an employment rep, and little old me... The employment rep totally disreguarded the letter from my DR. And Perdue lawyer said more then I could understand. I am in the process of appealin it again, but not sure if i should even bother.
I mean I know for a fact that I turned in the paperwork... Why would'nt I. Perdue has no union, everything is handled internally... I'm lost... The worst thing about it, is that I without a doubt, that I did erything I was supossed to, and that now I guess it comes down to my word against theirs.
I also have US Department of Employment, looking into their pervious dealings with FMLA... The rep from their just called my today. To let me know that they are not returning her calls (sounds familar)... And that she will be launching a full investigation. Any other insite would help.
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