Terminated while on medical leave. No Warning. Advice appreciated!
I worked at Amazon as a software engineer (L4) and had been on medical leave almost 1yr. I had sent in all necessary paperwork from Dr's. I had extended it multiple times throughout the year, but it was approved each time. The last approval had me set to return in July. Then, without warning, a week ago, I was sent an email that I had been terminated due to extending my leave multiple times, and them needing to backfill my role. I was never warned that my job was in jeopardy, and they also won't offer severance. I was on LTD since my STD ran out. So I wasn't being paid.
I reach out to MyHR the day I was terminated, and as soon as I asked about why my leave was approved but I was still terminated, I got locked out of the system, and then was sent a text and email that my leave was no longer approved. Furthermore, when I spoke with Amazon's rehabilitation specialist that get people on leave back to work, they told me if my role were to be backfilled, I'd be warned and given a chance to return first. Clearly that wasn't the case. The termination came out of the blue. I contacted my manager ( I have his number) but he didn't reply. I also spoke with HR on the phone, and they said I could appeal the termination since I was on leave, but then another rep said that's only for roles 1-3. Should I seek legal council? I believe this is some form of wrongful termination.