‘I think I’m going to need a lawyer’: Higher-ups force employee next in line for a promotion to take time off after an injury, then call them ‘unreliable’ despite requesting they be put on FMLA leave

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Apr 12, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

In life, injuries happen. That's why companies and government institutions put measures in place that ensure you will be able to survive if you're out of work for an injury and also protect your position from termination as a result of the injury. This seems perfect on paper, but it's only a matter of time until one bad boss takes FMLA leave personally and tries to ruin your career because of it. What happened to a fair and just workplace? It seems like they just don't exist anymore…

In the next story you're about to read, human resources advises an employee to take leave for an injury because they were coming in to work with a sprained ankle. The employee explains that they're next in line for a director title promotion, but it seems like their current director isn't a fan of this plan. The boss is bad-mouthing them to HR, telling them to take paid leave but then calling them unreliable, all the while responding with zero-word thumbs-up-emoji work messages. Scroll to read.

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  • Usually, a doctor's note suffices. If an employee is willing to work through an injury (in conditions that allow them to rest) then they should be able to do so. The employee in this story is gunning for a promotion, but it seems that the higher-ups in their workplace are setting them up for failure…

  • "[They're] implying that I'm unreliable due to my injury... despite it being company policy that I'm out!"
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "Work is trying to pull a fast one?"

    A month ago I severely sprained my ankle at home. I still went to work... but was told I couldn't work a week later when HR found out I had crutches. I was told that
    via FormerActuary8430
  • I need a doctors note stating I have ZERO restrictions... Long story short, I'm in the running to becoming the new director of a childcare center. I am the
    via FormerActuary8430
  • assistant director and my director is leaving in June. Yesterday I got a phone call from one of my coworkers that overheard HR and my director talking negatively
    via FormerActuary8430
  • about me... implying that I'm unreliable due to my injury... despite it being company policy that I'm out! I then get a message from my director later in the day
    via FormerActuary8430
  • saying I have to submit FMLA if I want to hold my position.... Which I did. It takes a week to process and includes a fee... I told my director this and she was r de
    via FormerActuary8430
  • and said I was mistaken- so I sent her my email saying it's been submitted, I paid my fee, and it will be submitted 5-7 business days.... She sent me a thumbs up....
    via FormerActuary8430
  • Cheezburger Image 10491875072
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • So I sent an email to the company manager with my resume and stated that due to company policy I am out of work, that I was
    via FormerActuary8430
  • working while injured but was told I couldn't, and that I can't wait to be back. Hopefully this helps my case, otherwise I think I'm going to need a lawyer.
    via FormerActuary8430
  • Cheezburger Image 10491875328
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • HeidiiRK Doctor's offices frequently charge for filling out FMLA paperwork. Your HR dept should be handling it for you, for free.
    via HeidiiRK
  • SpecialKnits4855 They have to give you at least 15 calendar days to submit certification - more if you let them know you've made good faith efforts to obtain the cert and have a good legitimate reason for the delay. You have "provisional" FMLA protections, pending that certification.
    via SpecialKnits4855
  • If they delay or rescind this opportunity solely because you took advantage of your FMLA rights, that's illegal. If they do so for a legitimate business reason, that's legal.
    via SpecialKnits4855
  • FormerActuary8430 That's why I'm distraught is because they are judging my character based on their own company policy.... I was working.... And was told I couldn't until I had zero restrictions.
    via FormerActuary8430
  • So, when I went to the ortho.. they gave me a "stay out for 2 weeks and we will reassess" and my director wants definite answers which isn't possible with these types of injuries. My MRI is soon and hopefully nothing is torn- but I can't help but feeling like I hope it is so she feels bad for being such a j to me.
    via FormerActuary8430
  • Right before this, my director was harassing me because I tested positive for the flu and the policy is 24hr fever free... she was texting me every day asking what my temp was and if I'd be back the next day. I had to tell her that as
    via FormerActuary8430
  • director, she should assume anyone with the flu is out 3-5 days and she DID NOT like that.. but then she was sick and out for almost 2 weeks.......... And then got mad at me because I reminded her that I had a scheduled day off and she was bulls that I wasn't going to cancel my plans for her... Imfao
    via FormerActuary8430
  • Pregnancy hormones are wild. Or maybe she's just showing her true colors now that she's leaving. Who knows
    via FormerActuary8430

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promotion boss aita workplace-stories toxic-workplace job sick day Professional At Work work PTO workplace Horrible Bosses leave reddit thread work advice Reddit entitled people
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