u/iHaveAGoldfishSoWhat

I posted on EmployerLaw too

I honestly never thought I’d be making a post like this, but I could really use some advice.

I’ve been with my company for over 10 years. Never had disciplinary action, never been on a PIP, and never even took a leave before this. Last year I was the top performer on my team and got the highest merit raise. I genuinely loved working there and even referred people to work for the company.

Last year my mom was told she had less than 2 years to live without a kidney transplant. I started the donor screening process immediately. I wasn’t a direct match for her, but they gave me the option to donate to someone else on the transplant list so my mom could move to the top of the list faster. I agreed.

My kidney ended up going to a Navy veteran and literally saved their life. My mom then got her transplant a few weeks later and thankfully both are doing really well now.

My leadership knew about this entire process far in advance and at first were extremely supportive. Surgery was supposed to happen in January, so I went on FMLA. Everything was approved with proper medical documentation. The surgery got delayed twice because of ice storms since they had to transport the kidney by plane. During that delay, I actually came back and worked for 2 weeks because I didn’t want to leave my team hanging.

After surgery, I had some pretty normal recovery issues like extreme fatigue and lifting restrictions. Because of that, my leave got extended through early June under short term disability. My FMLA protections ended in April.

Around that same time, my old boss left the role and a new manager was basically lined up to take over. I emailed both the temporary contact and the incoming manager letting them know I’d be back in early June. They hired the new manager in April.

Here’s where things started feeling weird.

The incoming manager already had issues with me from past situations, and his boss had previously made comments about wanting to replace me. There’s even a witness to those comments.

Then in early May, I got an email saying my position was being backfilled and that when I return they’d either find me something similar or possibly demote me if nothing was available. I understand businesses have needs and FMLA protections end, but the timing feels crazy considering I’m literally coming back in June.

What really bothered me is this process isn’t automatic. Someone specifically has to request the backfill. I emailed leadership asking why they’d do this when I’m only weeks away from returning, especially since training someone for my role usually takes months.

The response I got was basically that even if my current role opened back up, I wouldn’t be guaranteed it. That part is in writing.

At this point it honestly feels like they’re using my medical leave as an opportunity to push me out. I know the personal issues with management are a separate HR issue, but from a legal standpoint this feels really questionable considering I’m on approved short term disability and dealing with an ADA covered medical situation.

A friend recommended I talk to an attorney and possibly someone with media connections because they think this could turn into a really bad headline for the company. This is a top 50 company with a stock price over $200, so you’d think they’d handle situations like this with a little more empathy and common sense.

I’m honestly heartbroken more than anything. I gave this company 10 years of my life, sacrificed my health to save two lives, came back to work during delays because I cared about my team, and now I feel like I’m being treated as disposable the second my protections ended.

I really don’t know what my next move is supposed to be. Has anyone dealt with something like this before or have any advice on what I should do?