I work (or used to I guess) at a Midwestern hardware store with a catchy jungle. I've been in near constant communication with my manager and HR, with 5+ doctor's notes excusing me from work. I returned for two days after a month of being sick, just to be left in a dead sweat and out of breath, unable to truly perform my job. So I went back to the doctor, communicating with my manager, and was diagnosed with a respiratory infection, and now have pneumonia.
Last Friday I emailed HR my doctor's note and asked for my missed time to be excused on extended medical leave. Today, I get this email:
“Since we hadn't heard from you after several attempts by [Manager] and myself we were forced to terminate you.
We assumed you were a no call no show and had pointed out.”
I have been the only one initiating contact since I was exposed to COVID, save for one text from my manager, which I responded to.
How is this shit acceptable? I'm already behind on my bills, since I've been out of work for over a month, and now I have to find a new job when I'm finally healthy?
What I can't get over is that my department has been fucking struggling for workers. And they're just going to boot me because I'm sick? It just hurts everyone involved, but it hurts me most of all because I have no safety net.