This happened about six months ago and I've since left that job but it still burns me up when I think about it.
A Friday morning I was driving to work, I got a phone call from a family member telling me the man that raised me was in hospice and was only expected to live a couple of days.
I broke down. This man was the most important person in my life and he was more than a father figure, he was also my best friend.
I went into work holding back my tears waiting for management to get off the phone so I could speak to him.
The foreman approached me and asked if I was okay, I couldn't speak without ugly crying in the middle of the workshop. The foreman said “is it about your pop?” I nodded my head with tears rolling down my cheeks. “Go home” so I did.
The next morning I came into work, explained to the foreman that he is in hospice and we're waiting for him to die. The foreman told management who then accused me of “lying about his death to get a day off work”. He was FURIOUS. “Why would you lie about something like that?!” I said I never said he was dead? Am I seriously in trouble for fucking grieving?
I handed in my resignation for other reasons, management said “well you're untrustworthy and a liar anyway”
I've never experienced such deep-seated anger and hurt in my life.
It was six months ago, but I'm still so hurt and think I will call the fair work Commission and ask for advice. This experience fucking broke me. Can't believe my character and integrity was insulted for grieving.