I apologize if this is not the correct place but i have no where and no one else to ask, and everyone here seems pretty smart about this stuff.
I am a 35/m/SD. Ive worked in a small factory for 12 years this June.
In February i started having painful sciatica and lower back problems that stopped me from being able to walk much and stand for long periods of time. I use a cane now to get places. I went to the ER because I couldn’t stand one day after a long hard day at work.
My job told me to take some time off, which turned into 2 months, with their own disability plan. They make you wait 2 weeks before they start paying, and then pay 70% of your 40 hour week for 6 weeks.
Well, my time is up and i tried to go back to work last night, and im still unable to do much. I only made it 2.5 hours before i was hurting really bad and crying from the pain.
Today i got a text from immediate supervisor telling me the owner of the company said I’m not allowed to come back to work until i can work without a cane and work a full 8 hour shift.
Im unable to do that. But the way he put it makes me think they are trying to force me to quit so they wont let me file for unemployment.
Ive never had to file for any kind of unemployment or state assistance, so im completely unfamiliar with that process as well.
Can someone please help me navigate this situation so my employer isn’t able to say “he quit”.
Thank you so much for reading, im really terrified because i don’t have any savings or anything.