Can they legally fire me for calling off when it's because I slipped in THEI!
Question: Yesterday when I got to work, I slipped and fell on a patch of ice and really hurt my elbow. I don't have the money to go to a doctor, and I'm only part time so I don't get health benefits from the company. Today, my elbow is swollen and I can't move it, and I'm so sore I can hardly stand up without it hurting because I fell. I called off work, and they're mad at me - I'm just wondering, are they able to actually fire me for this when THEY should have kept the parking lot clear so employees could safely get into the building?
Answers: Yesterday when I got to work, I slipped and fell on a patch of ice and really hurt my elbow. I don't have the money to go to a doctor, and I'm only part time so I don't get health benefits from the company. Today, my elbow is swollen and I can't move it, and I'm so sore I can hardly stand up without it hurting because I fell. I called off work, and they're mad at me - I'm just wondering, are they able to actually fire me for this when THEY should have kept the parking lot clear so employees could safely get into the building?
I'd talk to the HR department about your injury. If its serious enough to keep you out of work for more than a couple of days, you may qualify for workmen's comp, which includes medical care and pay for the time you miss. They are responsible when you're hurt on their property, even if its on your way to work rather than during business hours. However, I think that the injury has to cause you to miss at least 5 days. I'd call HR and find out.
As far as being mad at you, some employers are just like that. They can fire you for calling off more than a set number of times, which should be a written policy. It doesn't matter what the reason is. However, firing you for calling off after you're hurt at work could get them into trouble, or at least be bad PR. If they do, I would file for unemployment.
hmmmm in over a decade of working i have only called off three times
you sound like a whiner
sorry but there it is
Gee, is that workers' comp?
I am sorry I don't have a completely accurate answer. But I think they can. I suggest when you go back to work you write them a letter or tell them that you are sorry that you have called off but if you were here then you wouldn't be able to work and then in the future try to not call off too much!
Calling off twice in 6 months is too much, as it stands.
However, if you slipped and fell... AND INJURED YOURSELF, you may have legal grounds to sue them for your injuries and any medical expenses that have been incurred as a direct result of the fall.
However, if you did NOT injure yourself to the point of requiring medical attention, there should be no reason why you took the day off.