Hello, I was employed at my company for a little over a year. I came to work sick one day and was throwing up. I went home and ended up needing to go to the ER. When I arrived at the ER on 11/10/22, I had a seizure that dislocated my right shoulder (I previously just had surgery on my left shoulder for 5 dislocations in July 2022), I was two days away from my year anniversary, but my benefits manager stated I could use two vacation days to qualify for FMLA which would protect my job, payrate, and position.
My return date for work was set as 11/30, but I had a pre approved vacation for 5 days from 11/30 to 12/6. So this brought my actual return date to 12/7. When I returned to work on 12/7 i was told I was being released from the company. I was told it was not due to my performance and the only vague answer I was given was “restructuring of the company”.
My primary care doctor who set my return date to 11/30 with restrictions (further instructions from my orthopedic surgeon & pyscian/wellness doctor). I only provided the clearance from my orthpedic surgeon as i was still looking for wellness doctor. I don't believe these documents were reviewed as our benefits manager was out sick on my return date, the same day I was let go.
I understand california Is a at will state , but I wanted to see if any of my rights were violated as they offered me a severance package (5 days to sign) which would null any wrongdoings from my employeer, which I have rarely seen them do as I'm a manager for our southern division. I appreciate your time reading this and made sure to print out the email threads that I was indeed going to be covered under FMLA before being locked out of all my accounts. My primary care doctor was also very adhement on if my return date was too soon, she would extend my disability.
Thank you in advance and I apologize if this is the incorrect sub, if it is, can someone point me to a correct sub as I have 3 days left to sign my severance package and I'm having a hard time finding a employment law lawyer who can give me a answer this fast.
Edit: I also want to note that none of my injuries would prevent me from completing my job. I always had the best numbers at of every branch and work strictly on a computer in a office.