Received my work termination letter
 

I received my work termination letter today. They have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow, but I see no reason to attend, since this letter makes it final.

The letter states that they cannot accommodate me due to understaffing, but I know this is not true, another staffer told me they have added more staff.

At the meeting last week I was told my health benefits would continue, but the letter I received only details Worker's Compensation benefits.

I am assuming my CRPS will be covered by Workingman's Comp and that I must enroll in a health plan for my husband and myself. I wish this would have been spelled out for me.

I would go to the meeting and clarify what benefits and for how long.
It could be just a formality separation meeting..
You could call and find out if it is necessary for you to attend this meeting.
And/Or request the packet of information be mailed to you.
Especially if travel to that meeting is an added pain inducer.. you can mention that reason in the call.

Or contact the HR dept preferably by email, letter, or call but ask for written documentation after the call, so all replies & information is documented & in writing..

Basically get anything they tell you in writing, often promises will be made or mentioned verbally, but it is easy for them to forget about.

Basically it is their choice to let you go, unless you had a employment contract.
It is their choice to make accommodations or not.

Don't make any fast decisions if they offer you something extra.
Get the offer in writing and ask for some time to consider it.. hopefully they won't pressure you to accept right now or it is off the table....

Jo,

I suspect they won't offer me anything, but I will do my best to seek clarity and get it in writing.

I worked under union contract, but was not a contract employee.

Thank you for responding, even though I knew this was coming, it is painful.

Bio

[QUOTE even though I knew this was coming, it is painful.

Bio[/QUOTE]

Yeah it is still a blow even though you know it might be coming. :hug:

Thank you Enna, it really felt awful.

I wish they had not scheduled another meeting, it doesn't really make any sense when they are going to terminate me anyway.

Bio.

To make it official. To give you a chance to speak but the end result most likely be the same. :eek:

Well, if I went to the meeting I will repeat that I was getting better on three days of working each week, but then they switched me to a two day week, on the two days of lowest staffing, days I specifically told them I could not handle. I spent hours on my feet, which was not the WC doctor's recommendation, I literally could not walk after a month of it.

I have the email in which I protested that the schedule would make me worse. I guess it doesn't matter.

My big concern is that I believe the CRPS has spread. I think it is in my face, my tongue, my hands, forearms, my stomach.

Also, insurance. Since I am 65 I am eligible for Medicare. I guess I will sign up for it, along with additional coverage. I can not allow myself to fall into a gap of no coverage with a brain aneurysm.

Sorry to hear of your bad news. Even if you know it going to happen making it final is often not easy. I do hope you take any and all steps to protect yourself in the process. Lots of feelings can come with the loss of a job and I hope you will take care of yourself with all of that as well. You already have so much going on with your health and it sounds like now possibly even more. Take very good care. Let us know if there is anything we can do. Always here to listen~mac

Sorry to hear about this. Mama Mac is right, That has got to raise a lot of feelings, many of which may be unpleasant. I hope though that perhaps this an opportunity for one less stressor and might allow you to focus more on your recovery without the concerns about how the job is affecting you and your foot.

Sign up for the Medicare as soon as you can. There is a limited window in which they will allow enrollment.

Sending hugs, :hug:

New to this
 

Was in a car accident eight months ago and doctor thinks I may have CPRSD- the symptoms fit so I'm waiting for an appointment with a doc that can give me a definite diagnosis. Legs burn and are weak- need a cane to walk. The pain at times is bad,as people on this site know and I have been unable to drive, was terminated from my job as they can't accommodate the limitations, am very depressed and basically am miserable- that's on a good day. Prior to this I never went to the docs except for seasonal sinus infections and I don't like taking mess plus am allergic to most medicines. It's so hard to get to know who I am anymore as my body doesn't respond or feel the same day to day. I am hoping to learn how others cope.

I would suggest you request a benefits meeting with HR. I work in HR and we have 2 parts a regular exit interview and then second part a benefits person goes over benefits Cobra and answers any questions. Cobra and benefits info is then sent to home address certified mail. I agree with asking for everything in agreement in writing.

Good luck with your healing.

Louann I hope you get a diagnosis, not neccessarily CRPS which is IMO not an easy disease to treat and few understand it. That said, it does sound like CRPS.
Please consider LDN.

Thank you. I doubt there will be an exit interview. My two full time co-workers were pressured when I was accommodated at work. They were the people who demanded that I worked fewer, but more difficult shifts. It was gambit to either get me up to speed or get me to quit. ironically, one of them suspected I had CRPS.

I spoke to someone in HR, who explained I would receive Cobra info through the mail. Because of my age I will apply for Medicare, part A and B, with a supplement.

Hi Bio,
It is painful. I am sorry for you having to go through that.
Years ago I also lost my job due to health issues, Lyme Disease.
I was numb for a week or so after, it just didn't seem real.

May I suggest, if possible, that you have someone come with you
to the meeting. Always good to have two people listening and asking
questions or clarifications. And it will be an emotional day, would be
good to moral support.

My best,
Diandra

Hi Bio, sorry to hear your bad news. Without knowing the details of your situation, i was wondering since you mentioned a union, were you a member of the union? If yes, you might have a union steward attend this meeting with you. Also are in touch with a lawyer about the workmans comp issue? Im not sure the company can schedule for duties that conflict with the doctors recommendation. Can you retire from tjis compamy rather than being terminated? Some companies give nice benefites to their retirees but you lose out if terminated. Well, just something for you to mull over. Also, dont sign anything if you havent time to explore your options yet regarding this situation. Good luck

I am not eligible to retire. I was a stay at home mom, then I took care of my parents. I was counting on this job to help get my h and me through until I was at least 66. My h lost his job about 5 years ago, which effectively ruined our retirement plans.

I felt incredibly lucky to get this job, what an irony.

My friends say that the brain aneurysm would not have been found if it wasn't for CRPS. Now I am faced with spreading CRPS (my left arm and hand is on fire, my right hand slightly, I have a ring of fire around my waist, my lips and my chin, burning) fear of brain surgery-will I stroke out, because my arteries cannot take the surgery-worry about dealing with WC, my current insurance and then Medicare.

I think I am going to need anti-anxiety medications to get through this.

If your CRPS is WC related I thought they could not terminate you. However I understand laws very from state to state.

We battle this CRPS monster everyday and having to worry about things like jobs and insurance makes it even worse. Instead of using our energy to try to get better, or not to get worse, we are forced to use that precious energy on fighting to keep our jobs. I know we all wish we could go back to the way we were before CRPS. I would love to go back to work, being a nurse was more than just a job it was who I was. It is not right that you have worked hard to get and keep this job yet they can still terminate you.

Sorry to vent but as you can tell I have some strong feelings about this. I hope you can find a solution and can continue to get the help you need.
:hug:

I think there is difference between fired, terminated , and laid off..
Terminated is just another word for not employed anymore, I believe..

States / Counties may vary on the laws of employment.
I think in general an employer doesn't have to keep a worker that is not able to do a job on the payroll .. I think 1 year is the normal time frame.
You would have to check your state or government website or call them.

Perhaps after some time off , you can find something part time that you could do..

I was terminated after 6 months leave. I cleared out my desk today and turned in my ID badge. I still do not know when my medical insurance ends, on Friday or at the end of the month.

Well, you should be able to extend it with COBRA, right?

I'm sorry this happened to you. If they gave you paperwork, it may specify when your insurance coverage ends. I would look into applying for medicare ASAP and given your other health concerns, you may want a supplemental health plan as well. The social security medicare health plan options can be very confusing. There are organizations with representative that can help explain this stuff. Honestly, you may find this termination is actually a blessing. Now you will have more time to take care of yourself and your hubby. You may feel better with less stress and more time to rest. :)

Tky,
Yes, but in my situation medicare and a supplement is the most affordable choice. Cobra is outrageously expensive, been there done that! My heart breaks for anyone who gets laid off, because I know how financially tough it is.

I will call HR today to find out exactly when the coverage ends so that my husband and I can plan our trip to the SS office.

Happy!

You sound just like my husband. He thinks this is good because we can use the time to help me heal without the stress of a job waiting for me and now we can move anywhere.

You are right the SS supplemental plans are confusing. I have no idea how to pick one. I did this years ago for my mother-I was so afraid of paying mega medical bills I simply picked the most expensive one.

Hopefully, one of the local elder agencies will help us do a cost-benefit analysis so we can rationally pick a supplemental insurance to meet our needs.

I only meant for short term coverage, to allow you to transition to Medicare. ;) I have no idea what Cobra will cost you, but in my case it was less expensive than parts B and D, and my supplement. Check your state's Advantage plans as well--some have good options and others are a joke.

Contact SHIP, your State Health Insurance Assitance Program to setup an appointment to help you choose a plan.

With supplements, you want to choose the plan higher on the alphabet. So, an F plan that costs less than a C plan, will be a great value.

This is amazing your Cobra was cheaper than B & D and a supplement! Thank you, we have number crunching ahead of us.

http://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-...ites_back.html

There are timing potholes with Cobra and Medicare.

My dad was a disabled WWII combat vet, who was told by the VA he did not need Medicare part B, so he did not sign up for it. Despite being very ill, he fortunately did not need help from part B until the last year if his life, when we found out yes he should have signed up. It could have been a financial nightmare, but we were just plain lucky that it worked out.

hi bio. i hope that things are going better for you today and that you are able to find the coverage you need to take care of yourself. sending soft hugs your way.

Hi bio and everyone,

I too was just terminated due to my work injury resulting in the last 12 months of medical leave. It's devastating to say the least. I've worked there for close to 10 years. No severance, no nothing. My benefits end the last day of sept and to cobra just me... Is $580. For me and my spouse it will be 1216$. I have no idea what we are going to do. His company dropped everyone's insurance when the affordable care act hit... So he has been on my ins since. He will be debilitated without his humaria, severe psoriatic arthritis. My CRPS is out of control and I and my ortho been fighting for a year to see a specialist. I've had no income for months and our savings is gone. So much seems unjust.

I feel for you because.... I'm right where you are. hope we both get what we need...

I'm not doing so well with all this added stress and mess.

Velkyn,

Thank you for posting.

I am so sorry that you have to go through this, especially after a decade of service. It is unfair and then to be beaten down by the outrageous cost of Cobra is monstrous.

Have you and your husband considered trying low dose naltrexone for your CRPS and his arthritis. LDN is affordable and has few side affects. Google Dudley and LDN for good information. I think it would not cost both of you much more than 15 dollars a month. Tough times call for alternative measures.

Bio, just to give you a heads up, Medicare Supplemental plans are often more expensive than plans available through the Affordable Care Act. Between Part B and D and my Supplement, I'm spending almost $500 a month. I definitely have a high tier plan, but the lower tiers were not a huge savings and I'm going to try and avoid an Advantage plan as long as possible.

Bio,

I hope that you are doing OK with the added stress that you have been going through. Sounds like you are receiving some good advice from people that know the system. Wishing you the best. ~mac

Lit,
The math on medicare plus a supplement varies. The most expensive RX plus supplement is 198 a month. B cost approx 104. There would be no copays if we opted for this.

There are a few supplements plus Rx that cost nothing, but have high co-pays. My husband suspects that cobra will be over a thousand a month for both of us. If we pick a mid range supplement with RX our monthly cost would be about 500 for the two of us. We are fortunate to live in an area where all of the supplemental plans are highly rated.

Mama,

Thank you for your good wishes I am feeling better and accepting that this is meant to be.

I think it's the best way to go, it was more a general comment in case you hadn't researched things yet.