MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC are calling for the Labour Department to intervene in an issue where a woman was dismissed from a restaurant while on sick leave.
According to a report carried in last Friday’s WEEKEND NATION, Christ Church resident Kathy Wiggins fell at the Sheraton Centre branch of The Sultan Restaurant on Christmas Eve.
Wiggins said the left ankle was still swollen, having sustained soft tissue damage, and she was granted sick leave by her doctor. But after the term was extended from one week to three, she was terminated by her employers, who in turn said she “violated company policies” and had other “work issues”.
Online readers said if the Labour Department did not respond, Wiggins needed an attorney to work on her behalf.
• Sativa Tafari: Even if she is seen out and about while on sick leave doesn’t matter. She is not dead or bedridden or on house arrest. The doctor says she is unable to perform required duties at work. Simple.
• Plugman Plugman: Where are the unions on this? The only people the union can fight is Government? It’s time the union get into these workplaces. These people are being unfaired just to keep food on the table for their family. Instead of promoting strikes, get after these . . . bosses.
• Veronica Straker: My dear, seems like they only had a problem with how you were working after you fell. Just get your money and move on from there; too many bad vibes now to consider going back.
• Donald Yearwood: I recall a case years ago in Barbados where a young lady was off sick from work. One of the managers saw her in Town. The next day she was dismissed from the job, charged with lying.
When it went to court, her lawyer asked the employer if he had special vision to see if someone was sick or not. The point is that she was sick but she never said that she was bedridden. Get a lawyer who can fight your case.
• Heather Marshall: Happened to me years ago. Nothing was done about it by the Labour Office, employer, nobody. I screaming, sorry to hear, but a lawyer has to fight for yuh.
• Rawle Maycock: Get a lawyer that specialises in these cases. Take it all the way. It’s a sure case that you can be paid for your dismissal as the labour laws do represent you.
• Lorraine Cox: I am in the same situation; I fell down at work. The doctor gave me time and they fired me while [I was] on sick leave.
• Cheryl Alleyne-Brooks: This is wrong on so many levels. Some lawyers need to pick up these cases and help out these people.
• Vashti Brathwaite: Huh???? Is this company aware you can’t fire anyone who is on approved leave like maternity or sick leave? Girl, get a good labour attorney and teach them a lesson.
• Andrew Ward: That’s why you need to always be in a union. I live by that rule.
Sherrylyn Toppin is The Nation’s Online Editor.
