If I have been going through some personal issues and have not been totally focused on my sales job, can I be fired for this?
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If I have been going through some personal issues and have not been totally focused on my sales job, can I be fired for this?
I am good at what i do and it has been noticed that I have been less than good. I spoke to my boss last week and told him most of my situation and he is good with everything. I have been in therapy and I am back on track with work. However, and this is my question, my theraist has said that I have to go to an in-house treatment center for my trauma issues for 3 weeks….soon. I cannot work. My sales numbers are good, I have never had a bad review and this is a necessary step in my getting healthy. The company I work for is privately owned.
Asked on September 22, 2015 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
It doesn't matter if this is a necessary step--for you. Your personal health is not, to be blunt, a concern of your company. If you can't work and can take time off using PTO, that is one thing--you should not be fired for using a benefit you've earned. Or if you and your company are both covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act FMLA and you take FMLA unpaid leave, you can't be fired for using it. But you can be fired for not using PTO or taking approved leave, staying at work, and having your performance slip--regardless of the cause, employers do not need to retain people who cannot work satisfactorilly. And you can be fired for taking time away from work without using PTO or FMLA leave, or otherwise getting employer approval which may be freely withheld for the absence.
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