Temporarily disabled staff member lost pay, is out of sick leave

The below was shared with us by a Miami staff member:

Your latest example of “For Love and Honor?”

My mom was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in February 2016. Her first chemo treatment was 2/29/2016, and she responded well. Her second chemotherapy treatment was March 21. She was admitted to the hospital on March 28 and is lucky she survived the spring and summer. Her oncologist suspended her treatment because it would have killed her.

For the next nine months, she was in and out of the hospital for chemotherapy, surgeries, etc. I spent days driving back and forth to Columbus doing my best to take care of her. In November, my entire family took her to Disney World, thankful we would have one last vacation together.
On September 10, 2017, I severely dislocated my ankle and broke my fibula. The surgeon put me on disability for three months. I had surgery September 20, and until November 20, I was completely non-weight bearing. I was living on my parents’ couch, unable to care for myself and not allowed to be alone. My second surgery was December 17, and I still have three months of physical therapy and I will likely always have trouble walking.
Because I had exhausted all of my earned sick and vacation time – and Miami doesn’t offer short-term disability – after seven years of service (11 if you count my four as a paying customer), the university completely stopped paying me for two months. I burned my entire savings account paying my rent and medical bills.
And now, I am out $3K for a trip I booked in August before I busted my left leg. Because I am out of accrued time off, I don’t even have the option to take the days unpaid. It’s SPRING BREAK! I won’t miss a thing.
That’s their idea of love and honor…stop paying an employee with a documented disability.
It’s disgraceful. And insulting.

And I am sorry for the rant. But what happened to this place? It’s not my alma mater.


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