Discrimination in the workplace

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MariannaLaFrance
MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

As I was laid off this week, and it was not a performance related issue, I cannot help but think that there are many women who are either in treatment or are in remission that might be targeted for layoff in the workplace. I have the distinct feeling that my BC diagnosis might be the reason I was let go, as there were only two people in our whole department let go in this reorganization, and the others on my team were found places in the organization.

I have contacted an employment attorney, and will be pursuing a course of action to ensure that I get a better severance package, but I am upset to think that this happens (probably) on a regular basis, despite laws against it.

Anyone else have this happen to them while either in treatment or post Dx for BC?

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited February 2011

    I actually brought up my breast cancer and mastectomy when I interviewed for a job.

    Not sure if who/where you work will make the difference.  I was interviewing with a wellness doctor and sharing with him how I fired one of my oncologists becaue he did not  listen.

    I got the job.  

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  • hymil
    hymil Member Posts: 826
    edited February 2011

    Yay, well done you, Wallycat!. BC is a life experience that's not your fault but you showed you have used it to your advantage and moved on.  Also if treatment makes a gap in your CV, you can explain what you been doing those two years (in your case learning and practising assertiveness!) that's going to sound better than, I was sat at home watching daytime TV until the money ran out and I had to go look for work.... 

    Marianna, Hope your claim is successful but just be careful the effect on your stress levels.

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  • lafemmejenn
    lafemmejenn Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2011

    I was down-sized right around time of third reconstructive surgery.  I was the lone senior associate in small, partner-heavy law firm, and I was let go without severance for "economic" reasons.  I was at the peak of my career in that field and have been unemployed since, coming dangerously close to depleting entire savings.  I hired an employment attorney who futzed around and ultimately determined that, although what they did was morally wrong, it was legal.  Took her six months to come to this conclusion.  It was better for me to put it behind me as yet one more incident of bad luck.  I wish you the best, however.  Putting the action behind me was best thing for my peace of mind, but I still have dreams about how badly I was treated.

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