Fired For Having Cancer
The downward-spiraling recession is pushing companies to their very limits, but this is hardly an excuse to treat employees like second-class citizens. Times are tough for everyone, and workers should not be made to suffer indignities because of circumstances entirely beyond their control. And there is no reason at all to punish hard-working people for falling ill and taking steps to recover their health.
Recent events, however, seem to suggest that the employment market is getting more cut-throat and employers are beginning to take uncalled-for and unnecessarily drastic measures. Case in point: in a pointed act of discrimination, Charles Wideman was fired by Acme Electric for limiting his travel to clients.
Why was Wideman spending less time travelling for business purposes? Because he was recovering from two surgeries for two kinds of cancer and was not in the best condition to visit with customers. He had a valid reason for restricting his work to his office, and the modest effects his infirmity had on his ability to work are completely understandable; understandable, at least, for people with a solid grasp on work ethics.
If Wideman had entirely shirked his responsibilities as an employee, that would be one thing, but he showed great strength in returning back to work shortly after his surgeries, and with a set intent to continue working well into his 60s (he’s 59). This is not some young guy who wants to get off work because he’s “sick.” This is a mature and experienced person who knows the value of his work and is willing to put in the hours and the effort necessary for the company’s and for his own success.
The mind is willing; but when the body is breaking down, one has to slow the pace down a notch or two. Nobody should be made redundant because of age; nobody who takes responsibility for their work and demonstrates loyalty to their company should be treated with disrespect; and nobody who is recovering from a serious illness should be forced to leave work against their will.
There is a happy ending to this story. According to JobVirtue’s Alina Bernstein, an agency that concerns itself with civil rights took up Wideman’s case and ordered the guilty company to compensate him for his losses. Truly, justice has been served, and this should be an example for other companies. We’re all suffering because of the recession, and similar instances of workplace discrimination are likely to occur with greater frequency as the economy declines. We must remain always on guard against such things, and report violations of workers’ rights as soon as possible.
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