You all know about the job hubby just got at the mill right? Well he worked the first 8 days. Was being told how good of a job he was doing, he really had a knack for this kind of work, he was asked first to do almost everything and he was also the very first one hired. He LOVED this job as short as it was and looked forward to retiring from it in twenty years or so. He goes to work today and two hours into the shift is called into the office and FIRED! WHY you ask? They told him he "failed to meet company standards during the probationary period" and felt he would be a "liability" later down the road. WHY you ask? Because he is blind in one eye! IF this is the case WHY did they ******* hire him in the first place??? He did NOTHING wrong during these eight days and is racking his brain trying to figure this out. They did nothing but praise him! He is DEVASTATED and has gone to bed. I want to cry for him, for me, for our family. We built up such hopes about finally a good job coming into his picture and now it's just...gone.

OH, Ladybugs, I'm SO sorry. What a huge disappointment, and a blow to your poor husband's ego. If him being blind in one eye is not a safety factor or has not caused mistakes to be made, then I would say he might want to explore a lawsuit for discrimination.

We've been there with the job thing and it was a very depressing couple of years. Then DH started his own business and things have been great for a few years, but now the economy is impacting his business negatively so we could be back where you are again. Gone are the days I remember when our fathers would get a job and know they could be there until they retired, along with the benefits. It was even like that for about the first 20 years when we first started working and then it all changed.

It's so hard to stay positive and not stress about it. But you both need to allow yourselves to grieve about it. We had to do that several times, and then eventually we just set our expectations very low. Even if he got an interview, we stopped getting our hopes up because it was just too devastating to be disappointed yet again.

But you will come through this. Things have a way of working out, and we discovered (in retrospect, of course) there was a reason for him to be off work, that there were lessons we both needed to learn. Someday you will look back on this and also realize there was something good that came out of it.

Meant to add about the lawsuit--the ADA (American's with Disabilities Act) protects people like your DH. I also think there are gov't-based organizations that take on these cases so there is no cost to you.

http://www.ada.gov/

I'm so sorry to hear this. Did the company know he was blind in one eye when they hired him? If so, I think I would talk to a lawyer right away. If they said he would be a "liability" somewhere down the road, they fired him just to "cover their asses." It sounds like a clearcut case of discrimination to me, and my guess is it propably came from the top. I've seen this kind of thing happen before. I will send up prayers for your family. Tell your husband not to give up.

Ladybugs,
I am so sorry this has happened to you and your husband. How devastating for both of you! I agree with the other posters that you certainly should seek some legal advice about this firing...something does not sound right here!

I want to let you know that I will be praying for both of you and your situation. Just be there for him and listen when he feels up to talking about this.

Take care and know that others are thinking of you,
Di

Thank you so very much for the info. Yes, they knew he was blind when they hired him. In his packet of info it says they can fire him for no reason BUT they said he did nothing wrong so in my book it HAS to be because of his eye. All this praise for this and praise for that crap. We just don't get it. I have told him we should sue, it's discrimination in my book. You fire him due to not meeting company standards and your only reason is he will be a liability "down the road" (don't get that one?). I just don't understand. He did his job well, was never late, volunteered and all and this all happened in EIGHT days! I will push the litigation thing further with him. Thanks for the hope.

Thank you. He was terrified to come home and tell me. He said it was like someone had kicked him in the privates and he felt like throwing up when they told him. All I did was hug him and tell him I was so very sorry...

ladybugs,

I'm so sorry dear!!

You've gotten excellent advice so there's no need to add more, just want you to know I'll be thinking and praying for you and your dh.

My husband has a learning disability and has been let go many times in our 22 years together, so I understand how you feel. One employer even told him "If I knew you had a learning disability, I never would have hired you." Of course it was dh's word against theirs so we never pursued it. I certainaly would now, being older and wiser.

Good luck and God bless you!!

Hello Ladybugs, I can't add anything else to this thread but my condolences. It is so very hard...believe me I know the feeling as well.

Sincerely,
Suzanne

Ladybugs,
So sorry that this has happened to you and your husband.
My thoughts are with you.
Hugs,
Arla.

Oh, ladybugs, I am so sorry to hear this! Life is just not fair sometimes I know, but I hope he doesn't give up.

I'm thinking of you and Ken during this time.

bev

Ladybugs

I am so very sorry. I hope this does not leave your husband too discouraged. I hope things turn around for him.

God Bless
Tara

((((((ladybugs))))))
I'm so very sorry.
I pray that something else comes up very soon.
God bless,
Jonie

ladybugs, this is so awful! how horrible to get one's hopes up & then have it thrashed like that, especially since they knew ahead of time about such concerns. i'm just really really sorry to hear about it. sending you all the best wishes for better things soon. & many hugs, prayers, & good thoughts.

xo,
ellen

I'm sorry ladybugs i had not seen this. This is heartbreaking news. I would contact any and all advocacy groups and find out what can be done. Wishing you and your husband all the best ... xo Pooks

ladybugs -

I am very sorry this has happened to you and your husband. The same thing happened to my husband too --- his boss continually praised his work and then one day bought him into the office and terminated his employment. He was 2 months into the probationary period. We have sent a letter to the company asking for a full explanation but they haven't come forward with anything --- We think that discrimination took place but thats something we will pursue at a later date.

Keep your head up. There will be a job for your hubby waiting in the wings somewhere. My advice to your husband is to network ----- There is a site where lots of people with a diversity of professions link up on-line and its global. If you want the link just let me know.

(((hugs))) to you and hubby.

So sorry....
Life can seem so discouraging at times.
Tell him to keep pushing forward...
Best wishes and prayers for your family.

Yep

Ladybugs,

There is an Americans with Disabilities Act that protects people from their employer's being able to do these things. There is a government agency that can help you for free. Please go to http://www.ada.gov/ and check out the information on this site.

Good luck to you....
Luv

((((((Ladybugs))))))

I am SO very sorry that this has happened to you and your husband. I applaud you for being so supportive of him ...BRAVO!!

In the meantime I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that there is something out there FAR better for your dear husband. Call me an optimist, call me crazy......yea like THAT word doesn't pop up at least once per day ....... but I think he deserves a much better job.

I understand how excited the two of you were when he landed this job. After the long wait...this was such a positive. Then to be kicked in the gut....seemingly out of the blue had to leave you both shell shocked. Perfectly understandable!

Something better is on the horizon......I can just feel it. Keep your chin up and remember you are MUCH stronger than you think. So is your husband.

Dottie

Ladybugs I can't offer much more that has already been said - I am thinking of you and your dear husband and hope you will find some solace in all of the well wishes here. Take care dear..