I somewhat need this job....

March 6, 2024 11:54 AM

As you know (some of you know), I had surgery Monday.

I started this job #2 (very part time but 2 or 3 weeks of training) . Then the fertilizer began hitting the ventilator, health wise. I had to re-arrange some things (not a burden) for both job and health exams, and now it's time to go back, and I feel...tired. And definitely fuzzy-brained.

Last week, before surgery, PT #2 leadership mentioned in e-mail that it was too bad ("unfortunate") training is taking longer than expected. We need to expedite training... If this [new schedule, which I suggested] doesn't align well, we may need to consider if this is the right fit for both of us.

I know he owes me nothing and of course I am in an at-will state, nor is it his job to care about my health. I didn't plan all these random health issues. But this last line sounds like a thinly veiled threat.

He knew I was going to surgery; how do I know when the effects of the anesthesia wear off? Am I reading too much into the last line? I can be a good and helpful employee if my health stabilizes.

PT time job#1 is being as helpful and flexible as they can.

posted by intrepid_simpleton to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Best answer: This is absolutely a 'threat' about your employment. Depending on your age and the specific condition you might have a legal protection but I don't think you're reading too much into it; "consider if this is the right fit for both of us" is absolutely a common business-speak euphemism for "we're gonna fire you." I know this is not what you want to hear right now, and I'm really sorry. It's very rough. And it's not even remotely fair! But it's also what he's saying and you should treat it as a very real possibility.
posted by Tomorrowful at 12:51 PM on March 6, 2024 [8 favorites]

Best answer: You need to talk to lawyer. I am not a lawyer but my understanding is that even in an at-will state theore are prohibited grounds and disability would certainly be among them.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:30 PM on March 6, 2024 [4 favorites]

Best answer: If you're not doing it already, keep your own copy of all emails / discussions relating to PT #2, so in the event they fire you, you've got a paper trail. If these discussions with leadership are happening inside a PT #2 work-provided email account, export/print/those email trails in case you lose access to that work email inbox.
posted by are-coral-made at 3:04 AM on March 7, 2024

Response by poster: A friend of mine worked for the former YWCA, a woman's org that did not want to give her maternity leave. This is similar: as a Society that works to research/cure a very specific disease, and it was the one I was being tested for. (The test came back negative, yay.) It drives me crazy.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 10:21 AM on March 7, 2024