Legal Question in Disability Law in North Carolina
On disability then fired
I was recently fired by my employer prior to coming back to work from short-term disability. (I was on disability for approx. one month.) I suffered a mental breakdown at the office, left and was admitted into an out-patient care program. I had every intention of going back to my workplace upon release from my doctor. When my Doctor faxed them a letter of release, they sent me an overnight letter terminating me and offering to pay me $2,500 as severance and sign a contract not to sue. I feel that I have been discriminated against because of my mental problems. They also required me to tell them what was going on and even asked to have my doctors contact them to advise them as well (I have this in writing!). I learned later they are not allowed to ask questions or see copies of my doctors statement, etc. so I stopped feeding them information for fear they would use it against me but they already have, since I was terminated and provided no explaination but NC is an ''at will'' state. What should and could I do? Thanks.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: On disability then fired
They probably did violate your rights: you need to get a lawyer. First, file a complaint for discrimination with teh EEOC in your state. Do it now, and make sure you list every witness you can. Attach copies of all documents as well.