Lostfiniel
Junior Member
I live in California, if that is needed. I was working with a small company (around 15 employees total, one location) for less than a year when I began having panic attacks daily. The first time it happened, I went to the E.R. thinking it was a heart attack. I began seeing a therapist and I was told I had Generalized Anxiety disorder and Panic Disorder. The therapist recommended that I begin short term disability while we try to work through it. She wrote a letter to my employer stating that I would be taking a month off for disability and would hopefully be returning January 21st.
I made sure that they received a copy via email along with my suggestion that any questions on the matter should be referred to my therapist. I also began State Disability, receiving money from the state while I was out from work. I know the state called these employers as well to confirm my situation.
Late December, they sent a letter saying that I was on unexcused leave. The letter stated that if I did resign to let them know. Or, if I didn't respond to the letter within three business days of the date on the letter, that it would be considered a voluntary resignation. Even though I was still within the dates my therapist had suggested I take off for disability. I had received the letter later than I should have as I was with my family for the holidays. Early January there was another letter from the company which I had trouble acquiring since they had sent it with signature required. When I called the office, they told me it was my W-2 and final check. Believing that I was no longer an employee, I no longer sent them updates from my therapist despite the fact that I am still on disability.
Today I finally got a chance to drive to the office and pick up the W-2 and check. This is when things get strange. I was told I was still an employee and that I was the one who had not done things correctly. There was a stack of warnings they had me sign saying that I had taken unexcused absences. I was told I needed to sign them before I left stating that I had seen them. I was also told I had to give them a letter of resignation before I left but I insisted I would be comfortable writing and sending one from home. I was in the office with the owner and the head accountant. The head accountant pulled out a resignation letter she had written up on my behalf and insisted that I sign it there and then. I told her I would rather write something of my own and she said that she would shred the letter once I signed it (So, what is the point?) The owner saw I was not giving in and let that issue slide.
So now I am trying to figure out what to do. They want a letter of resignation from me, but I also feel like they are trying to cover something up. The "copy" they gave me of the letter they sent does not match at all with the letter I originally got. The wording has been changed all together. They are acting very sketchy about this whole situation and I have no clue what to do from this point.
It should be noted that I have full medical records that verify my disability status from December until today. I also saved all the emails and letters that have been passed between me and the company. I know my story matches up with the documents I have, but nothing they are saying makes sense.
I made sure that they received a copy via email along with my suggestion that any questions on the matter should be referred to my therapist. I also began State Disability, receiving money from the state while I was out from work. I know the state called these employers as well to confirm my situation.
Late December, they sent a letter saying that I was on unexcused leave. The letter stated that if I did resign to let them know. Or, if I didn't respond to the letter within three business days of the date on the letter, that it would be considered a voluntary resignation. Even though I was still within the dates my therapist had suggested I take off for disability. I had received the letter later than I should have as I was with my family for the holidays. Early January there was another letter from the company which I had trouble acquiring since they had sent it with signature required. When I called the office, they told me it was my W-2 and final check. Believing that I was no longer an employee, I no longer sent them updates from my therapist despite the fact that I am still on disability.
Today I finally got a chance to drive to the office and pick up the W-2 and check. This is when things get strange. I was told I was still an employee and that I was the one who had not done things correctly. There was a stack of warnings they had me sign saying that I had taken unexcused absences. I was told I needed to sign them before I left stating that I had seen them. I was also told I had to give them a letter of resignation before I left but I insisted I would be comfortable writing and sending one from home. I was in the office with the owner and the head accountant. The head accountant pulled out a resignation letter she had written up on my behalf and insisted that I sign it there and then. I told her I would rather write something of my own and she said that she would shred the letter once I signed it (So, what is the point?) The owner saw I was not giving in and let that issue slide.
So now I am trying to figure out what to do. They want a letter of resignation from me, but I also feel like they are trying to cover something up. The "copy" they gave me of the letter they sent does not match at all with the letter I originally got. The wording has been changed all together. They are acting very sketchy about this whole situation and I have no clue what to do from this point.
It should be noted that I have full medical records that verify my disability status from December until today. I also saved all the emails and letters that have been passed between me and the company. I know my story matches up with the documents I have, but nothing they are saying makes sense.