Employer threatoning to fire me for taking medical leave.

[nightshadow]

What is the name of your state? Florida
I have been working for this place 4 months and have missed quite a lot of time (about 3 days each month) due to strep throat - it keeps coming back soon as I am done with antibiotics. Surely I do not intend to get sick all the time it just seems to happen. I handle papers that hundreds of people have had in their hands before me so I am naturally exposed to germs. But I went to a specialist this past time that I got strep and he took one look at my tonsils and then said they need to be surgically removed if I ever want to go a month without being sick. I scheduled an appointment for surgery and gave my work notice (a little over 2 weeks) I requested unpaid medical leave as I do not qualify for the family medical leave since I have not worked there a year yet. Today my supervisor informed me that my leave was denied cause they didn't hire me to not be there - the doctor said I need 10 days to recover from surgery - personally I think I could be back in 5 but that's just me. Anyway I told the supervisor that I really need these out cause I will be missing a lot more time if I leave them in and get sick every month. She then started talking about letting me go if I can not be there the scheduled time.
Is it legal for them to fire me for a medical thing like this? I can't afford to do the surgery without the insurance so I am very worried about it. I know I need the surgery cause I really hate being sick and each time I get sick it is missed paycheck and doctor bills. I don't know what to do. Could use some advice if anyone has suggestions.
Thanks!

 

[Katy W.]

This is not a disability, so yes they can term you for missing work. I would do everything in my power to trade days off or whatever, get your tonsils out, and get back to work without missing any days off, or as few as possible if you must miss work.

 

[Beth3]

Is it legal for them to fire me for a medical thing like this? Yes. You don't qualify for FMLA leave so they can terminate you for your absences, including the surgery.

 

[nightshadow]

Thanks for responding!
I actually talked with the employer again - they were still against me taking time off but told me they will let me have the surgery provided I work 13.5 hours the next few days to make the time up ahead of time. I stayed from 6am-8pm without break yesterday thought I was gonna pass out at the end of the day but at least I can get the health stuff taken care of soon. Then the boss told me that if I have any complications or do not show up Monday after the surgery that I will be fired. So I am hoping for a very quick recovery - maybe I can convince the doctor to put in a few extra stiches or something.