For the third time in less than a month, Wal-Mart is being sued for wrongful termination. First it was Barbara Hacker who was fired for having a seizure even though Wal-Mart knew she had Epilepsy. Then it was Yvonne Loskot who was apparently fired for having worked at Wal-Mart too long and making too much money. Now it is Arlene Jett who is suing Wal-Mart.
She was fired, apparently, because she used family and medical leave too often in her tenure as a Wal-Mart employee. That is, of course, no reason to fire someone. Any company with a conscience would understand if you needed to take time to give birth, be with your child in the hospital, be with your husband in the hospital, and take care of yourself when your documented medical conditions need treatment. Indeed the purpose of the Family and Medical Leave Act was to allow people to take such time without fear of losing their jobs. Mrs. Jett used this bill to take unpaid time off and was fired for it despite her 14 years of good service.
Her story is a sad one, and we hope she gets the justice she deserves. There is clearly a pattern here. Wal-Mart has little regard for its employees. They fire whoever they can to save a few bucks and the law can just step aside.
Here's an excerpt from the West Virginia Record article:
CHARLESTON -- A Wirt County woman has filed suit against Wal-Mart, alleging she was wrongfully fired after she used her Family and Medical Leave Act multiple times.Arlene Jett took medical leave from the store to care for her son, who was born in October 2003, according to the original complaint filed in Wood Circuit Court.
Her son had a rare bowel disorder, necessitating 12 months of hospitalization and several surgeries, the suit states.
In 2006, she took time off because of her, her husband's and her son's medical conditions, she claims.
Jett claims her husband is disabled and suffers from several serious health conditions, including chronic high blood pressure and neck and back injuries.
Jett has been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and depression, according to the suit.
She again took six weeks of unpaid leave in February 2007 after her husband underwent surgery, according to the complaint.
Jett had been working at a Virginia Wal-Mart since Sept. 12, 1994. She transferred to the Parkersburg store in August 2002, according to the complaint.
Throughout her employment, Jett continually received good performance evaluations and raises, the suit states.
Posted by Taylor - October 7, 2008 01:49 PM
This just the thing that walmart should be noted for;its great to shop there its just not good to work for them.
Posted by EDITH ROSE KATOLICK-CHAMBERS - October 7, 2008 07:17 PM
This story doesn't suprise me at all. I asked for the day and the two days after, when my dad had a quadrple by-pass. I was told that I could have the 2 days after, but not the day of. Then I got in trouble for calling off on a privously denied day. They don't care for the people that work for them, it left them short, sure, but my co-workers understood.
Posted by M.L. - October 7, 2008 10:18 PM
This clearly demonstrates the importance of union representation in the work place. A highly qualified union rep would have gathered all the facts and thoroughly investigated the situation. Her rights would have been protected and chances are her job would have been saved. Next month Barack Obama will be elected President and the employee free choice act will be passed into law. Wal-mart employees will then be able to join UFCW and be a part of an organization that will drastically improve their standard of living.
Posted by steve - October 8, 2008 01:03 PM
I was terminated for "sleeping on the job" when really I had a seizure. I don't remember the events sorrounding this seizure or what I said and no one seems to understand. I had no reason for sleeping that night: I was nowhere NEAR being tired. I would have had no opportunity to sleep and all that I was concerned about was getting my work done.
Posted by Angela Marshick - October 30, 2008 11:30 AM