'We are going to part ways effective immediately': Employee fired for scheduling emergency appointment with oncologist

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jan 26, 2024 2:00 PM EST

It's remarkable what some bosses think they can get away with in this day and age. There are numerous ways in which employers have tried to cover their real reasons for firing someone. They might say it's budget cuts or some sort of company restructuring. Sometimes, that may actually be the case. However, there are times when someone higher up simply does not enjoy working with you or having to deal with you in some capacity. These coworkers, bosses, HR representatives, etc. will grasp at straws until they can find a so-called legitimate reason to get rid of you. Those are the relatively smart evil bosses. The other kind of evil boss fully breaks ethical and potentially legal standards and doesn't seem to care at all.

That's what unfortunately happened to this Redditor, who was going through treatment and needed to schedule a last-minute emergency visit to their oncologist because they had a rough night. Their employer showed no signs of sympathy or compassion. In fact, they simply accused OP of a trend of shirking their work responsibilities. Keep scrolling below for the full story. When you're done, check out this post about a teenager who sabotaged his boss's business on a particularly important day.

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  • 01
    r/antiwork. Posted by u/bad[ Jandit 8 hours ago I got fired for needing to go to an emergency visit with my oncologist
    via u/badb****bandit
  • 02
    < 01:39 Ok. Satan Spawn Heya, just a heads up I'm headed out a little early, not feeling too great, I should be fine for tomorrow up until I have to leave for chemo Fri, Oct 6 at 14:29 Brandon's leaving in a few. You're good to leave at 3. It might be 15 minutes Jennifer will be alone 564 Wed, Oct 11 at 09:35 I have to go see my oncologist this morning at 11, I'll head in right after You knew you had an appointment and were going to be late and yet didn't tell myself or John. This has been a tre
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  • 03
    I had already put in my two weeks notice because these people were just nasty human beings in every sense of the word. Just immoral disgusting employers. Two days before my last day I was fired for needing to see my oncologist last minute for some severe side effects I was experiencing. I had told them before they hired me that I had cancer and they seemed like they wanted to do everything to help. Chemo was very rough for me. This happened back in October, I wanted to report them but not sure h
    via u/badb****bandit
  • 04
    Bertiers_Moma - 8 hr. ago In which state/country do you reside? How many employees in the company? How long did you work there? You may have a good claim depending upon the answers to these questions. 685 Reply Share
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  • 05
    So_Motarded 7 hr. ago Fingers crossed that OP was FMLA eligible, if in the US 243 Reply Share
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  • 06
    chubbysumo 2 hr. ago They cannot withhold pay pending return of company property. My wife's company tried that, and the Department of Labor hit my wife's former employer with the big stick, and her last check was basically doubled.
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  • 07
    HorrorThis 2 hr. ago Yes, this is the comment I was looking for. Absolutely NOT legal for them to withhold pay and I hope they try it so OP can call the DOL on them.
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  • 08
    No one already going through CANCER and chemo should have to deal with being treated like this. Anything less than compassion and flexibility from an employer during that kind of sickness is disgusting.
    via u/badb****bandit
  • 09
    Xurbanite 8 hr. ago Boss don't want to hear it. Check your rights in your state 163 Reply Share
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  • 10
    Diplogeek 2 hr. ago Is this a public-facing business? Because I personally would love to know via Google review or similar if a place was doing this to their employees (with cancer!) so that I could be sure to never, ever shop there and let others know to do the same.
    via u/badb****bandit
  • 11
    green_new_dealers. 2 hr. ago What is it about middle management that just attracts the most emotionally unintelligent people on the planet
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  • 12
    ajmajm19 4 hr. ago Whilst this is clearly an awful situation and his reaction could be better. Why didn't you mention this was an emergency? You basically just said I will be late in because of an appointment, I can't see how this would be illegal. 93 Reply Share
    via u/badb****bandit
  • 13
    Loring 3 hr. ago Lot of people in this sub have horse communication skills when talking to their bosses 74 Reply Share
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  • 14
    MaleficentExtent1777. 1 hr. ago You are absolutely correct: cancer is a "per se" disability under the ADA. Since you were not eligible for FMLA, the could have offered you leave under the ADA to attend your appointments. How large is the company?
    via u/badb****bandit
  • 15
    lettucepatchbb. 2 hr. ago This is one of the most disgusting things I've read on here. I'm so sorry.
    via u/badb****bandit
  • 16
    HairlessHoudini 2 hr. ago If it's not illegal to fire someone because of cancer treatments it sure should be
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  • 17
    Nah666 edited 2 hr. ago 2 hr. ago. No matter how many times j read, but you all really need to stop giving a ton of information. "Hey, I'm sick I'm not going to be there until further notice" Good luck OP, hopes you get well, and don't give them any more info or warnings or anything, get in touch with your lawyer now.
    via u/badb****bandit

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getting fired workplace-stories fired work stories toxic-workplace job fired story work reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
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