My mother currently has Stage 3 Cancer and is on FMLA leave. Her time is running out, and she informed her employer that she is returning to work. He called her for a meeting tomorrow, and she believes she may be terminated. What are her rights?
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My mother currently has Stage 3 Cancer and is on FMLA leave. Her time is running out, and she informed her employer that she is returning to work. He called her for a meeting tomorrow, and she believes she may be terminated. What are her rights?
Can they legally terminate her? She is ‘at will’.
Also, what advice would you give to someone who may be going to a
termination/exit interview?
Asked on April 5, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
She may not be terminated for being sick, or for having used FMLA. She may be terminated for a legitimate, non-illness and non-FMLA reason, such as:
1) Downsizing or restructuring due to provable economic issues (e.g. she is a money-losing operation or department).
2) Documented and provable performance issues.
3) Provable absenteeism, chronic lateness, insubordination, criminal acts at work, violation of company policy or superviser instructions, etc.
But if she is let go and there is no provable other reason, then this may be because she has a medical condition or as retaliation for using FMLA, and either is illegal. If she thinks this is the case, she should contact the EEOC about filing a complaint.
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