I worked for a remote primary care provider. I’ve been out of office since last Thursday because I had spinal surgery. This had been discussed and approved weeks ago.
Surgery went great and they sent me home for a few weeks bedrest. I get a text this morning from my boss’s boss asking if I had a few minutes to talk. I knew it was fishy and got even more worried when I logged into zoom and saw some empty suit dip from operations was in on the meeting. Because of the procedure, I had to sort of scoot forward in my chair to keep pressure off my lower back, and I was in obvious agony.
They cut to the chase claiming it was just a round of layoffs and it wasn’t their decision. I openly mentioned in the meeting that it was pretty obvious why I was the only one in my department let go
-I’m 45, everyone also on the team, managers included, are under 40
-I’ve been open and honest about my disability, including the spinal issue and coronary artery disease.
-I’m the only gay person and only trans person on the team.
I’ve felt a vibe for a few months that I was becoming the odd one out, mostly just a couple of half whispered remarks like “ok boomer” or “joking” that I’m such a techphobe (I’m not.)
They hemmed and hawed for a while. I just mentioned my observations and told them they should be ashamed of themselves, and that I won’t be signing anything until it’s been reviewed by my attorney.
It just really frickin hurts. You think you matter to people, and the second you’re vulnerable they just kick you in the balls.