Is it selfish to use the compensation and benefits I’m legally entitled to while sick?
I’ve worked in the tech industry for around 10 years, mostly for large international companies that make billions every year. During that time, I lived far away from my family, but it never felt like a huge problem because I could visit during holidays and vacations, and my parents would also come visit me several times a year.
Last autumn, I got seriously sick. At first, I tried to keep working while doctors were still investigating what was going on, but after about three months I had to go on sick leave. About a month later, the medical process became very slow, and being alone at home all day started to feel extremely lonely. My GP suggested I try to find some light activity just to help mentally, so I spoke with my employer to see if there were any simple, non-critical tasks I could help with a few days a week.
Unfortunately, because of my condition, I had to make several emergency room visits and my health was very unpredictable, so I wasn’t reliable enough to work consistently.
Now it has been six months since I first went on sick leave, and living alone has become very difficult. I get injured easily, need extensive rest, and spend a lot of time going in and out of hospitals trying different treatments and attending countless doctor appointments. I finally decided to quit my job and move back to my hometown so I can have the support of my family while continuing treatment there.
Legally, I’m entitled to three months’ pay, plus 25 unused vacation days and accumulated overtime. Right now I’m trying to complete all the paperwork and logistics for the move, but everything is taking longer than expected. These rights are honestly what’s allowing me to survive financially without touching the savings I worked so hard to build over the last 10 years.
Yesterday, my boss called me and said I could “leave earlier” so I could get back to my parents sooner. At first, the way he said it sounded caring and supportive. But when I asked more questions, I realized what he actually meant was that they wanted me to resign immediately and give up all the compensation and rights I’m entitled to.
What makes it even harder to accept is that, for a company this size, the amount they’re trying to save is basically pocket money. Meanwhile, for me, it’s the difference between being able to focus on recovery with dignity or burning through the savings I spent a decade building through hard work, long hours, and sacrifices.
After years of giving everything I had to these projects and helping generate huge profits for the company, it’s painful to realize how quickly you can become just another cost they want to cut the moment life stops going perfectly.
I honestly don’t know what to think anymore. Is it really so wrong that I’m trying to use the benefits and protections I’m legally entitled to in a situation like this?