Termination based on alleged job abandonment despite documented communication
MAY 28, 2026 — ORTHOPEDIC EVALUATION
• Restrictions: Seated duties, no commercial driving, must wear boot, allowed to elevate ankle if needed, use crutches as needed.
JUNE 1, 2026 — LIGHT-DUTY DISCUSSION
• Supervisor called regarding proposed light-duty assignment.
• Assignment described as riding as a passenger in county pickup to inspect roads.
• I raised concerns about ankle elevation and rough terrain.
• I texted supervisor requesting written description before reporting.
• No response received.
JUNE 3, 2026 — WRITTEN LIGHT-DUTY OFFER
• HR provided written work duty offer at 9:54 a.m.
• Offer stated I expected to report at 7:00 a.m. on June 4.
• Offer stated patient would "use the county pickup truck to inspect county roads."
• Offer mentioned office duties available, including filing maintenance records.
My response, same day:
• Notified employer of scheduled PT appointment at 8:00 a.m. on June 4.
• Requested clarification: driving or riding as passenger?
• Noted previous verbal description differed from written offer.
No response received that day.
JUNE 5, 2026 — FOLLOW-UP
• Patient sent follow-up email at 10:56 a.m. requesting response to June 3 questions.
• HR responded at 11:34 a.m. stating physician had signed paperwork and county pickup is not a commercial vehicle.
• Did not answer driving vs. passenger question.
JUNE 9, 2026 — UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AND EMPLOYER COMMUNICATIONS
• Received voicemail from county commissioner at 9:42 a.m. stating "I guess you don't work for the county anymore" and asking about insurance continuation.
• I sent email at 10:05 a.m. explaining ER visit, stroke level Blood pressure, ongoing attempts to obtain updated restrictions, and transportation issues.
• Spoke with workers' comp nurse, who said job description showed riding as passenger (differed from written offer).
• Spoke with workers' comp case manager, confirmed had not resigned, was complying with restrictions, and had been continuously communicating.
Updated restriction received at 2:59 p.m.: No Driving of Company Vehicles.
Patient sent updated restriction to employer at 4:26 p.m. same day.
JUNE 12, 2026 — TERMINATION
• Termination letter issued stating employment terminated effective immediately.
• Claimed I refused to report to work.
• Claimed failure to report constituted job abandonment.
• Referenced physician who did not provide treatment.
• Final paycheck and vacation payout sent by certified mail with termination letter.