Laid off for feeling sick and being pregnant

Dear Editor: I am a young lady who is angry at this moment. For a week I was very sick so I went to the hospital, where I was told that I am a few weeks pregnant, but found out for the first time that I also have what we call fibroid.

I suffered for the whole week with excruciating pain, and I could not go to work. I tried to obtain a sick leave paper after three days, but when I got to the hospital the nurse told me I could not get it today because the doctor is out in the country. When the pain continued I made an appointment to see a private doctor, and my appointment was expected on Friday. He did his assessment and recommended I get a few tests done and prescribed some medication. The doctor told me I was okay to return to work on Monday, since the pain had subsided, and I was okay.

When I called my boss to inform him, he was unavailable, and I left a message that the doctor said I am fine and can return to work. On Monday morning when I arrived at work, my boss told me that I am pregnant and I should stay at my home to rest. He already got somebody else to work. He also told me if I know I’m going to be sick it is best he puts somebody else to do his work. According to him, he doesn’t want when he expects me to come to work I have fallen sick and can’t come. I was so angry. I told him ‘I am not God and I don’t know when and if I am going to be sick. I can’t say next week I will be sick or whenever. I am not the first woman to get pregnant and feel sick.’

I am furious and felt that I was wrongfully laid off from work, at the time when I need the job and money to take care of me and my baby. I believe employers should treat people better than this, especially pregnant employees. I don’t know what to do or who to turn to, but I’m angry and needed people to know of my situation.

Angry young lady.

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38 Comments

  1. Lady q
    April 5, 2011

    In singapore, if u r pregnant, the employer cant terminate their employee.We can sue the employer if they terminate us wen we r pregnant

  2. samfe
    March 10, 2010

    Wait a minute pep who r having ago at this girl….does any1 for sure no that the girl didn’t phone her employer when she was first off sick?Cuz she isn’t clear on that! Anyway she did eventually phone him at the end of the week. An has any1 ever had an employer who has been fair, cuz i haven’t they are al asholes!!!!! sorry but i always stick up for employee’s…can’t understand pep who don’t if they r one themselves,they must be weirdos eh!!!!!!!!!!

  3. STRAIGHT FORWARD POOSSIE
    March 6, 2010

    The woman get her checque so long , it maybe finish already.

  4. MOT
    March 5, 2010

    In any case that is a case of He said She said…all communication was via phone and text. Nothing written down or documented. So what they going to go to Labour Division or Court with?

  5. whoa!
    March 5, 2010

    So de hospital doh have phone booth? take a quarter, a dollar and call de man, tell him you in Roseau hospital and you intend to send in a medical. You cannot send de man a TEXT for god’s sake…you would like somebody to FIRE you by text? Stupes…

    One time I fell sick suddenly over the weekend. Whole weekend i rolling in pain in de hospital (gall bladder)…and trust me, all that on my mind on Monday morning is to call my Supervisor. Girl even if it doh have a doctor on de ward, it must have a doctor somewhere in de hospital that can write a medical for you…you just had to ask the nurses to do it for you, and they in turn would talk to the doctor about your condition.

    I not saying you go and sewo or anything like that because I don’t know the details. I’m just saying you owed it to your boss to call or even have a family or friend call on your behalf. No excuses. De employer have his business to run too.

  6. keykey
    March 4, 2010

    TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE MAKING UP STORIES IT NOT NICE. IF YOU DONT HAVE NOTHING TO SAY SAY NOTHING INSTEAD OF MAKING LIES. LIKE THE LADY THAT SAY THE LADY WAS IN ACTION THE SAME DAY MORE LIES. STOP SPREADING RUMOURS. TODAY IS THE YOUNG LADY TOMORROW MIGHT BE U OR SOMEBODY OF YOURS. IT DOESNT NEVER BOTHER US WHEN THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FEET. SOME PEOPLE WILL DO AND SAY ANYTHING AS LONG AS IS NOT THEM. YOU DONT KNOW WAT REALLY WENT ON WITH THE MAN AND HIS WORKER DONT MAKE UP STORIES AND LIES. I CAN SAY WHAT ANOTHER SHOP OWNER SAID ABOUT THAT SAME GENTLEMAN AND WAT HE SAID ABOUT ANY PREGNANT WORKERS HE EVER HAVE BUT I RATHER NOT. THATS NOT MY BUSINESS. THE MAN HAD HIS THING ALL SORT OUT. STOP SPREADING LIES AND FIND OUT WHAT REALLY HAPPEN. WAT THE MAN SAID TO HIS WORKER.

  7. keykey
    March 4, 2010

    to straight forward possie how you know the young lady didnt call him. How he knew she was sick and was going to roseau. You wat he told her when she called him and told him she was going to roseau? No. I am a friend of the lady and i knew she called him and i can tell you wat he told her. When her phone money finish she rang him so he could call her back. You know what he told her when he called her on friday on her way to doctor. her knew she was going doctor he told her talk to d doctor and fine out if she ok to go work mon. There’s alaot more that you people dont know and just trying to make the young lady look bad but you all dont know what the man told her. you dont know wat went on with the man and his worker so stop making lies. the young lady never sent nasty text to her employer. when he told her if is so she going to be sick is best he get somebody else to do his work so she text him and told him is he do watever he want. she cant say she going to be sick everyday she dont know when she going to be sick. so the man had his agenda already.

  8. keykey
    March 4, 2010

    to Lady it must have been action at your home the young lady was. you people are so sick will say anything you want to make a statement. On a monday afternoon i wonder where the action was. Probably at you home. Incredibly. where the young lady was in pain at pmh she was in action. my cousin is one of the nurses who was assisting the young lady at the pmh. it amazing wat people would say and do boy. You all are sick. grow up lady and stop spreading lies. typical dominicans thats y we doesnt go anywhere.

  9. keykey
    March 4, 2010

    …But some people must stop spread rumours. That is typical Dominicans. The lady never curse the gentleman in question. To watch dog wat is wrong with the lady saying she is not god, but she’s not god so how can she know when she going to be sick. Do you know when you going to be sick or die no only god knows. to dr. finger jus an a** doesnt make any sense. To possie boy people like you must stop spread rumours. Don’t know where you got yor story from. How can the woman send a text after 5 days saying she taking the rest of the day off. You fine you making sense get you information correct and stop spreading false information. People like all you just want something to say and write anything to spread propaganda. How did he know she was sick if she didnt tell him. How comes he cut his shopping short so he could come to relieve the other worker if she didnt call him? when he called the young lady the wednesday or thursday she told him she was at the hospital from since morning. and she tried to get a leave paper the nurse herself said is true under all the pain she was she did ask for a leave paper but she told her the doctor is out in the country she cant get it. So the girl went back home after the nurse check her and rest. Her boss called her and she talked to him he himself told her to stay and rest if she in pain she cant work so rest and get better. so she knew she had to get a leave paper and did try to get one. He told her the best thing right now is to get better. So people must stop spreading lies and saying things they know nothing about. from the very first day the lady called her boss and said she was sick and was going to hospital. He himself told her dont worry jus go and check herself. keep him in touch.

  10. Eric Cartman
    March 4, 2010

    lol @ ‘hardworker’

    some people mind does really go far lmao i would have never thought of that angle

  11. STRAIGHT FORWARD POOSSIE
    March 4, 2010

    Let me tell CELO the the lady never called the employer, she TEXT him as she did not want to tlk to him. The texts were nasty texts. Should the employer have closed the business because she did not show up for work, neither did she call, but text after three days? Our employee attitude has alot to do with that. I this is the attitude many persons will be made redundant. Shame on you all.

  12. Hmmm
    March 4, 2010

    Girl, you stayed off from work for too long before calling in as you say. Take what you get. You are not laid off because you are sick or pregnant but because you did not follow protocol. If after a few weeks is already like that you can imagine when you in second trimester. I am a mom too, so I know what is pregnancy and morning sickness. BUT I have to say, you WRONG and STRONG. But D/ca a democratic country so talk…lmao

  13. lady
    March 4, 2010

    I know the lady in question and I remember going to that establishment. the boss was cashing so i asked him for his staff. he said she went home a while ago, she was not feeling well so he is taking her shift. later that same day she was in action partying. i also heard that its not the first time she did something like that. the lady is not even employed for a whole year yet.

    she did not handle her business well and she was rude when she was questioned so she should not use pregnancy as an excuse.

  14. freetalk
    March 4, 2010

    COMMUNICATION is the key. No need to play the blame game. Did you expect your boss to sit there and wait for you?? If he knew you were coming back to work after a week fine. He did not know whether you were coming back. It’s natural to be sick, it’s ok to be pregnant but let people know what’s up.

  15. cello
    March 4, 2010

    BEFORE DISSMISSAL THERE IS A VERBAL WARNING, A WRITTEN WARNING AND FINALLY THE DISMISSAL

    AN IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL OCCURS WHEN THE EMPLOYEE HAS DONE SOMETHING EXTREME

  16. cello
    March 4, 2010

    For all those who are judging this young woman i must suggest that they stop

    she did not MADE HERSELF REDUNDANT (fire) under the circumstances. maybe she failed to mention that she did call her employer to inform him during the 1 week she spent at home.

    Secondly if her employer was a kind and compassionate person he should have called her. to ensure that she was not in any kind of danger. DOESNT IT GO BOTH WAYS. I AM SURE THAT THE MOMENT YOUR BOSS DOES NOT WALK INTO THE OFFICE AT HIS NORMAL TIME YOU ASK YOUR SELF WHAT COULD HAPPEN.. YOU DO

    SHE COULD FOR ANY REASON BE IN A SITUATION THAT SHE COULD NOT CONTACT ANY ONE BY PHONE OR EMAIL. LETS FACE IT THESE THINGS DO HAPPEN. MAYBE SHE LEAVES ALONE. MAYBE THERE WAS NO ONE SHE COULD COUNT ON NOT EVEN THE BABY FATER WHO MAYBE DONT EVEN KNOW.. SO BEFORE WE PASS JUDGEMENT LETS JUST SCRUTINIZE THE FACTS. THERE IS MORE TO COME FROM THIS STORY I CAN ASSURE YOU.

    FOR NOW WE CAN ONLY BASED OUR ASSUMPTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ON * MAYBE s*

  17. cello
    March 4, 2010

    This is absolutely madness. This employer should be taken to court and the employee should be reinstated into her job. Also he should pay her for this discomfort and embarrassment.

    too many times these male employees are just bloody sexist, just because they are not the ones carrying the big preganant stomachs they feel that they can do what ever they want. but NOT this time.

    There are laws protecting pregnant women against unlawful dismissal from work because of thier condition

    Besides, from what she say, she is just a few weeks pregnant this CAN’T under no circumstances intefere with her daily WORKING duties.

    Thake the mother fu.ker to court immediatly.

    Know your rights, also its time for all women in dominca and throughout the caribbean to come together and raly against these pig headed employers who are males, and let them know you as a woman and a preganant one know your rights when it comes to unlawful dismissal from work due to your condition as an expecting mother. No where else in the developed world would you hear a story like this, i just want to vomit . The bastard should be ashamed of himself as a man and also knowing that his mom let him come into this world, where is the RESPECT AND THE LOVE for omne another. . THIS IS WHY ABORTION REMAINS A STRONG OPTION FOR SOME OF US WHEN WE READ HORRIBLE STORIES LIKE THIS. AS A WOMAN THE QUESTION “IF” STILL STANDS OVER OUR HEAD LIKE A F……g noose.

    Make sure you get your job back sister he has no right absolutely no right at all to do this to you.

  18. possie boy
    March 3, 2010

    For all those who are asking about her pay she got her cheque and her letter today and i agry with someone who said she was rude. she told the boss do what the hell he wanted and she will do what she ahave to do

  19. possie boy
    March 3, 2010

    I am very much informed on this matter people and is not what this young lady is saying that really happen. speak the truth … girl. The labour laws of this land says that any time a person stays away from work for more that two days without producing a medical certificate has automaticcally teminated their employment and that is what you did. This young lady never called as she said. she left a text message on friday which was five days after missing work and said that she was ok now but still did not show up for work at … where she works not untill moday. The work place open on satudays and sundays. Text said i already took 5 days so i will take the rest of the week off. this has nothing to do with being pregnant. Wen we have a job we need to show appriciation for it. Your letter explained every thing to you so if you feel that u was wrongfully dismissed the talk to labour division or your atterny. i have all the info so talk the truth please. i am sore that this can not be done at …. where your next half works. Take care wish you well and hope you have safe delivery.

  20. sweetie pie
    March 3, 2010

    how deh doctor out of deh island and it doh have a replacement our fmp it have a fish in my nose been pregnant in problem in my womb i work 9mths up to deh day before babme and did not get sick but we are not all deh same lazy at time to work could be ur problem

  21. HMMMM(1)PSYCHIC
    March 3, 2010

    Take the fool to court for being insensitive

  22. Rhea
    March 3, 2010

    Everyone’s been sick in the past, so I doubt we’re being deliberately inconsiderate. But, pregnant or not, you have a responsibility to your job. And even if you left a message one day, you still have to make sure you communicate to your employer what is going on, why you can’t make it to work, and what documentation you need to have to retain your employment.
    Pregnancy is not an excuse. I’m an employed female, and a nurse to boot. I know the difficulties pregnancy can cause when your body is not agreeing with the baby. I also know a bit about fibroid pain and complications. Regardless, as multiple people have said, “you fired yourself” and have no grounds to be angry at your employer, much less take him to court

  23. dominican
    March 3, 2010

    if your story is true baby go to labour division……it is unfair for any “boss” to discriminate….also you should get a leter from the doctor stating your then condition

  24. Soul-Sister
    March 3, 2010

    I admit that the young lady should have reported to work on the 3rd day with a medical certificate …but when she called him to explain her situation…he told her that she could take a few days off to rest.and she trusted his word

    In my opinion i think that she should demand compensation from her employer or Get an attorney and take him to court….and regardless of the point that she was absent from work for more than two Days …her employer is entitled to pay her dues.

    It is very interesting that when this young lady went to collect her pay due to her….she was asked by her ex-employer whether she went to the labour division or to the social-security office. I hope she takes my advice and call the social-security office to ensure that he has been paying her dues.

    *~* Soul Sister *~*

  25. Soul-Sister
    March 3, 2010

    people are so naive most time predictable , but most of all inconsiderate .
    Its really a shame that we would ridicule others in a situation where they are the victim.

    I’m positive If you – ”Dr. Finger” – ”STRAIGHT FORWARD POOSSIE” OR -”heshe” were in this situation or a similar situation you would want to be somewhat compensated for your loss.

  26. Dr. Finger
    March 3, 2010

    Young lady you fired yourself. Plain and simple. I am not that naive to believe your story. You wanted a few days off to sewo so you took it and now you are complaining. If I was your employer I would have done the same thing. Now lesson learned, try to find another job and don’t try that again. next time come by and visit Dr.Finger

  27. March 3, 2010

    this boss needs of yours needs a whipping and a leaking so then he will understand what pregnant women goes through when they a pregnant. he’s just an idiot probably he is jealous he in turn cant have children or point blank he cant have any of his own . me in your place according to the lenght of time im working for him i’d take him to court. be wise my dear and take courage GOD is with u

  28. i-owe
    March 3, 2010

    I agree with hmm, heshe and many other who expressed the same sentiments…

    young lady you cannot take your employer to court…the most you can do is ask him to pay you for the time that you worked…say the 3 weeks in February. it is your responsibility to inform your boss that you are sick….you waited for 3 days then went with a SS paper to let the doc. sign? Even if the doctor was in the out district..what about the nurse? you mean to tell me you waited until this Monday to go to work then inform your boss you were sick?…your disrespected your boss my friend.

    Learn form that Mistake!!

  29. *
    March 3, 2010

    Take him to court

  30. Hmm
    March 3, 2010

    I tend to agree to a certain extent with “watchdog”…..you must inform you employee that you are sick and if you are going to be sick more than 2 days (allowable uncertified sick leave) on the 3rd day at the start of work, you employer should have a sick leave certificate. You cannot blame your employer.

    However, you did not indicate the type of job that you do, how long you were employed there, or if you are a sole employee etc. Depending on the job that you do, the employer may not have a choice but to let you off. Further, maybe you have had quite a bit of sick leave in the past..a cost to the company.

    We as employees have to be mindful of these things. We some times tend to think that once is sick we are sick, no body should object. Always remember, there are many people depending on you’ not only customers but even your co-workers who more often or not have to perform double duty when you call in sick.

    However, you may wish to contact the labour division to see if you qualify for any sort of compensation though.

    Best of luck in finding another job.

  31. john
    March 3, 2010

    this sounds like something which happened to a friend of mine, and she wasnt even sick for that

  32. STRAIGHT FORWARD POOSSIE
    March 3, 2010

    Part of this story is true and the other is not. I think that you young lady fired yourself. Did you call your employer to say that you were sick? NO. This young lady should have called her employer and explained the situation. The employer is not an animal? I am sure he/she can understand. You should have spokent to your boss and not text him. Your attitude and selfish behaviour led to your dismisal.

  33. March 3, 2010

    I think you should have covered your bases and gone to the hospital from the first day u felt the pain. Obtain a medical from the first day…some bosses are like animals and they think that when u call in sick, you just want to slack off. Although Social Security don’t pay until the 3rd day, but in light of your boss’ attitude, you should have sent a medical paper in early. However, you can always try the Labour Division and hear what they say.

  34. heshe
    March 3, 2010

    i mean come on.. be reasonable. you cant expect to stay an entire week out of work for a whole week and expect to show up monday without any documentation prepared to work..come on.. all these excuses you gave are real lame.sorry

  35. Young Man in Dominica
    March 3, 2010

    young lady as much as i feel your pain sorry but you are at fault. The law states that if after two days you dont provide ur boss with a sick leave paper you fire your self, but the reasoning he gave you while sending you home is out of place

  36. Follow work guidelines
    March 3, 2010

    Bella,
    What the lady forgot to mention was how long she was employed at this place of work. Nonetheless, she violated the guidelines set out in the Social Security Act, which states that a medical certificate MUST be submitted by the third day of illness. You will agree that this period of three days is quite generous.
    What I find ticklish is the fact that a Dr sent her to have an ultrasound done. Fibroids are diagnosed after an ultrasound is done. If it was severe, then I imagine the Dr. would have given her time off from work. If the pain was as excruciating as the lady says, why didn’t she try to get a sooner appt. no doctor would refuse to see a lady who is pregnant and experience severe pain.
    It seems that she went to a health centre, if it was so bad, why didn’t she go the PMH, casualty or the Health Centre in Roseau. Bella, I fine the lady’s account is inaccurate. No pregnant woman should stay home when they are experiencing such pain.
    Whether or not her boss allows to come back to work will be a matter of sympathy or goodwill, since legally he is correct. If you don’t show up for work after three days, then it is assumed that you terminated your own employment.
    Hopefully, that baby has a daddy with a job.

  37. watch dog
    March 3, 2010

    Young lady, you have erred, according to the Labour Laws when an employee falls ill and is unable to report to work he should immediately report his/her unavailability to his/her employer, if after two days he/she is still sick , by the third day he/she MUST submit a Medical Certificate to his/her employer. In your case you said the doctor was out of state, however you saw a nurse; at all our health centres there is a Family Nurse Practitioner who sees patients in absence of the resident doctor, she too can provide the Medical Certificate or some kind of document which you would be able to submit to your employer until your doctor can give you one; so you have no valid excuse and further, your were insubordinate by telling your boss that you are not God, and that you dont know when you will be sick or not, you are saying now that you have been “wrong and strong” . Your employer did not terminate you, according to your own statement you “withdrew your services”, you fire yourself then!

  38. March 3, 2010

    my girl hold strong and tell ur boss man suck his moda > maybe he vex the child not his own them nasty …

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