Problems at Work... Will You Help?

[cheft]

:sign0085: Hello fellow IBD sufferers. I would like to bring to your attention the treatment I received while being employed by P.F. Chang's China Bistro. Thirteen years ago I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. For the most part, the treatments prescribed by my physician kept my disease under control and allowed me to work a full time job in my chosen profession of professional cooking. However, about one year ago my symptoms became much worse. After some tests it was discovered that I had a stricture in my ileum and surgery looked like the only option.

At this time I was still able to work about 30 hours a week, but did have to call in sick several times a month. When my employer became frustrated with my absences, I disclosed my illness and impending surgery to my managers. I only spoke with them behind closed doors and made it clear I wished this information to remain private, which is my right. However, they decided to not only tell the entire staff about my condition, but to do so in a meeting calling me forward for a “round of applause.” Until this point I was unaware that they had any intention to break confidentiality and disclose my disease and treatment to the entire store's staff.

Well, the good news is my surgery was a success. Everything went exceptionally well and I recovered very fast thanks to the excellent work by the talented surgeons. After a recovery of about six weeks I tried to return to work. I was informed that my position was being filled by someone else, but they would do what they could to bring me back in. After going to work and being sent home after only three hours of work I was very frustrated. I tried to complain about my treatment and was fired on the spot, after only 5 days of returning to work. :angry-banghead:

I'm sure any of you who have had problems with employers know how difficult it is to obtain legal representation. For the most part I am powerless and there is no way for me to obtain the justice I deserve. So I have turned to you. I would ask that you refrain from eating at P.F. Chang's or their other restaurants: Pei Wei Asian Diner & Taneko Japanese Tavern. In addition, if you have the time, contact the central office, either by mail or through their own website, and inform them that you stand in solidarity with your fellow IBD sufferer and will not be frequenting any of their restaurants. Hopefully this will stop them from further discriminating behaviors. Thank you for your time.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro
7676 E. Pinnacle Peak Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

http://www.pfchangs.com/commentsWeb/comments.aspx

:depressed:

 

[Sojourn]

Sorry this has happened to you. I'm sure you've considered your legal options. You could probably get representation, with no money up-front, but if the case became lengthy or didn't go your way you could end up owing the lawyers. Though it sounds to me, especially concerning the privacy issue, like you would have a good case. The termination could be a little more tricky as many states have a law in which employers can fire "for any reason." Of course this doesn't include discrimination, but it's hard to prove in court.

Those places are little expensive for me, so I wouldn't go except on special occasion anyway, but won't now. A P. F. Chang's did open recently here in Tulsa and another local high-end Chinese place also opened about the same time in competition. If I decide to go out for high-dollar Chinese food I'll go to the local place instead of P.F.'s.

 

[Gemma]

i have never heard of the place but have noted it for future reference.

I to had the same probs as you and was sacked because of my illness (and i declared it when i started working for them), Bearing in mind that i went to work on the day of a General anasetic (sp) and went straight back to work. They decided that i wasnt needed anymore and sacked me on the spot.

I was also sacked by a boss who had crohns and i would of thought he would of been a little more understanding.

 

[butt-eze]

I will definitely refrain from eating there and will send a nasty letter ASAP. It's not fair to you and they will know about it.
Each state has different employment laws so I can't help you there. I too was fired due to my crohn's. After speaking with a lawyer we were advised that the case was legite but not worth any lawyers time.
Please let us know if anything comes out of this.

 

[butt-eze]

I sent my e-mail to PF Changs. I'll let you know if and when they respond.

 

[Kev]

I think a lot of us have been exposed to less than admirable conduct in the work place due to our illnesses. However, that is something only the people involved have the right to take issue with. The disclosure of your personal medical info or the dismissal sounds like something a lot of lawyers would be extremely interested in looking into... many on a contingency only fee basis. Check into this. A chance for both sides to have their say aired in court before a judge or jury is one thing... Asking members of this site to boycott an entire chain of restaurants based on the 'single' case of someone whose real name is unknown to them, especially when this is their 1st and only posting here, just seems to cross the line. I've been in the IT business for decades, and I've seen more than the occasional hoax or worse. If the story you related is a real situation, and you've told it in an accurate and straightforward manner, then you should have many legal recourse options open to you. But asking folks on here to participate 'blindly' on your behalf, possibly exposing themselves or this site to litigation, seems an inappropriate request. At least that's my 2 cents worth.