dealing with employers - Lymphomas Message Board

vedstone · 05-23-2002, 11:08 AM

I'm facing a situation where I might be laid off from my job. And I have gotten the indication I have been chosen because I had cancer and they want me off of their insurance. I am an engineer, so layoffs do not go by seniority. Anybody know the laws? I am the youngest in the department, but I do not have the lowest seniority; and my annual reviews all have been above average. Can they discriminate against me because I had cancer? Will I be able to get another job? If I interview, do I have to tell them I have had cancer? Currently I'm cancer free, but I'm not past that 5 yr window that insurance companies seem to go by. I am facing the possibility of huge doctor bills, a large house payment, a new truck payment and no job. Any info will be helpful

vedstone · 06-23-2002, 07:20 PM

ttt.. please anybody? I was just fired. I fight cancer and win then my company fires me because I cost too much. Don't I have rights? I can't find a good website to research. I'm financially ruined if I can't find another job soon and I'm afraid nobody will hire me since I had cancer. I can't believe humans do this to each other. It just gives me the feeling that my company was hoping I'd die of cancer instead of live.

Jay Tor · 06-24-2002, 09:23 AM

Hi Vedstone:

Suggest you try ACOR first - they have many resources for cancer patients and can probably get you in touch with patient advocate groups in your area.

Just found this link - Patient Advocate Foundation. Hope the moderators will allow it as it has a .org address:
[url="http://www.patientadvocate.org/"]http://www.patientadvocate.org/[/url]

Suggest you also try the regular political tactics, e.g. writing/calling your elected representative, etc. For that matter - get everybody you ever met to write on your behalf.

At the very least, you can file a 'wrongful dismissal' law-suit. If you are a Professional Engineer, you can also make some noise and obtain some legal advice through your professional association. Same if you belong to any community service organization [e.g. Rotary, Optimists, etc.].

Good luck,
Jay

rjaixen · 06-25-2002, 12:33 PM

Hi,
What did your boss tell you was the reason for being laid off? I work in Human Resources for a company and I know that there are many legit reasons for laying people off but having Cancer is definitly not one of them. You could win a huge court case if you could prove this was the reason you were fired. It will be tough to do this though unless you have some solid proof.

Also does your company have an employee assistance plan? This is a free hotline full of legal reps that are there to help you with this kind of thing. It is extreemly convidentail that many employers are now required to have. Call your Human Resources rep to find out about this.

Good Luck,
Becky