Harassment and/or Discrimination

I have been employed as nurse by the same organization for 26 years next month. I have 2 degrees, BSN and MBA in addition to national certification in my area of specialty. In December 2019 I sustained an injury to my left knee at the hands of my crazy Labradors. They truly meant no harm. The result was a horizontal tear on my meniscus. I had arthroscopy on February 14, 2020. Ever since then I have suffered knee pain requiring injections and also hindering my ability to walk normal and without pain. Most recently I was seen in my orthopedic surgeons office and a total knee replacement was recommended. I have scheduled my surgery for November 15 of this year. And it seems by advising them today they have plenty of notice. However, today my director says she doesn’t know if she can allow me the time off for surgery. I will likely be off 6-8 weeks. I do have PTO and EIB as well as short term disability and qualify for FMLA. Can she really deny my request to be off for my surgery?

In addition, this same organization refuses to promote me despite my qualifications. I am never interviewed and those with much less experience are always given the promotions.

I have considered filing a grievance and feel like my director has just been plain disrespectful.

I also want to add that many local firms are fearful of taking on this organization. In the event I have a case, I need the meanest snake in the grass attorney there is.

 

We are not permitted union representation

 

Awesome. Thank you for your assistance

 

Promotions are based on who you know not what you know. And they only want individuals that follow their lead and never ask question. Typically brain washable individuals.

 

Truthfully, 20 plus years ago I called out the CNO on her bullshit. When I was an ICU nurse it was mandated that we could not take vacation between November 15 and January 2. We were also mandated to take call. While other floors could take vacation whenever they wanted. I got called in during this time because we had to hold floor patients because the nurses on that floor were granted vacation. I was told by the CNO that they were entitled to their vacation. I told her so was I.

 

I have missed maybe 2 days this year as a result of my knee. When I had my arthroscopy in February 2020 I was off a week. In the spring, less than 8 weeks post procedure I was forced and even threatened with termination to return to the ICU. The constant up and down and moving of critically ill patients had an effect on my knee by about my 5th week in the ICU. I subsequently had to take off for a week as I could barely walk.

 

When I say I have been a faithful and loyal employee I sincerely have been. I have been there almost 26 years. In that time I have only used my FMLA on 2 prior occasions. In 2008 for back surgery. And 2019 to care for my mom because she did not qualify for inpatient rehab. I have also only received a written corrective action on 3 occasions

 

I have been told by my nurse manager today that my director is aware that she angered me by her statement. I think this is an understatement