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Finally met with my boss
I finally met with my boss about me returning to work after being out on medical leave. To sum it up, she is reducing my salary, taking away my title, taking away my vacation (reducing from two weeks to one, but when I first started three years ago, the very first day I got two weeks. That is what she gives all new employees) but my responsibilities stayed the same except one duty. I am so upset and I feel betrayed and she is treating me like I did something wrong. I truly loved my boss and we had a great relationship and it was more than employee/employer, we were friends. That's why I am so tore up about it. She is not the lady I worked for for three years. She has totally changed and I don't know why. I really went into detail on my blog if you want to read about it. There are two posts. The most recent and then two posts down. I just don't know what to do. She basically told me she doesn't think I need to come back, but it is my choice but she doesn't think it will work out and if I don't show more enthusiasm, then she won't bring me back. I need to be more excited about it than what I am showing/saying. Uummm....who would be excited about having the same responsibilities but being paid less and having their vaca taking away? I think she's lost her mind! And my disability runs out Aug. 31 so I was planning on starting Sept. 1. Well she informed me that she has plans for Labor Day so I can't start until Sept. 13 because she wants to be there when I return. That is two weeks, one pay period without pay. I can't afford that! I was Business Manager but now she is giving the title of General Manager to our IT/Courier who "stepped up while I was out." He is like 55 years old and had already retired once and just wanted a job to give him something to do. Does he really want that title and all the responsibility that goes with it??
I'm just so frustrated and I don't know what to do. I mean it's not like this is the best time to find a job. I looked up online the FMLA laws and our company has less than 50 employees so I don't think we qualify for FMLA. So from what I read she can basically do what she wants and I can do nothing about it.
This is definitely NOT my year. After being sick for nine months, this is the last thing I need.
Re: Finally met with my boss
That's terrible! I haven't been on long enough to know your full story or how long you've been out. Is there any way you can talk to her one-on-one to find out what's changed? How long have you been gone? You've worked with/for her for 3 years and it just really surprises me that all of a sudden her whole attitude towards you has changed. Maybe someone higher up is enforcing this? Or maybe something happened while you were out?
I know you said you were friends...would it be possible to just sit down and talk with her to let her know that you're really surprised and disappointed by how she's treating you and that out of respect for your working relationship and friendship, you thought she would be able to at least give you the professional courtesy of explaining why all of these things were taken away from you when you've been out for substantial health reasons (clearly not by choice)?! It just seems all very odd!
Had you been in contact with her during the time you had been out?
I think from her standpoint she's just sick and tired of having an "ill" employee.
That. Just. Sucks. Its not right and its a terrible thing to lump on to you (like you haven't had enough stress in the last 9 mo!). I think she may be trying to get you to quit so you're not her problem anymore. The fact that she gave your title to someone who's working to fill his time? Yeah, he'll probably get overwhelmed very quickly and you may be the one getting your job back before you know it, KWIM?
I really hope this is not the end of a job that you like! Good luck in getting all of this sorted out positively.
Call me Kat =^..^=
I would honestly consult with an employment attorney. I know if you are out on leave they can not fire you, but this seems extremely on the frindge of abusing employment law. She should not be reducing your vacation and PAY especially if that is what you were hired with. I would start looking for a new job, do not need to be abused like this. I am so sorry.
I'm sorry that you're going through this and that you're taking it so personally. However, it's tricky with small businesses because it's harder to absorb the loss of an employee for a big chunk of time without making other arrangements that cannot easily be undone. We recently went through something similar with one of our employees. I know we seemed harsh about it but we had to do what was best for our business. I know you cannot help but take it personally but your boss likely had to give someone else a raise or hire someone else to better function in your absence.
I disagree with the advice to go seek legal advice. Georgia is an at will employment state. As for federal law, no federal employment law applies to small businesses for the very reason that small businesses cannot be expected to make the same accomodations that larger businesses can make. If you start going to legal route you won't prevail and you'll alienate your boss and possibly others in your industry.
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Yes, we have had several meetings and she knows how upset I am and how disappointed I am. I have told her my feelings but she is/was dead set on not bringing me back.