My Impending Job Loss

Source: AndyCore.com

Since we first conceived  this blog – “WorkEnables.Me” – there has been a significant development in my work situation.

I was called in by my local boss for a private meeting, with a U.S based HR person on the phone. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss a “transition” plan. My boss used the first part of the conversation to outline my various failures and performance shortfalls.

The HR person said that the company had decided that I would be offered a disability package which is basically what is available under our group insurance. I had one week to get back to them agreeing (or disagreeing) with the offer. I told them by email that I would respond only to a written communication. At the time of writing, it has been 4weeks and nothing has yet been sent in writing.

One of the performance shortfalls stated was my speech impediment. As a result of my medical situation, my speech is slurred (one of our support groups suggested carrying a card which states – “No, I am not drunk, my speech is slurred because of my medical condition”). My boss said I was not able to participate fully in internal meetings and could not pick up the phone and talk to clients.

Since the transition conversation seemed definitive and a significant career development, I took the precaution of consulting an employment lawyer. He says that there are specific laws governing termination of a disabled person in Canada. Lack of performance is not a valid reason for termination (who knew?) and an employer must demonstrate having taken steps to mitigate the effect of the disability and improve performance.

The matter is now apparently at a stalemate and will move again only when my office puts things in writing. I do hope the matter is settled amicably.

I wanted to find out if I am eligible for payment of Employment Insurance (EI) in addition to these disability payments. In that search, I ended up at a Services Canada website. From there I was directed to a page where you need to apply for your Personal Access Code, which will be mailed to my home address.

Just created this blog to provide a blow-by-blow saga of losing a job to a disability and its aftermath.