Fired For Doing Jury Duty
Woman Says She Was Fired For Doing Jury Duty
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. -- A Seminole County woman says she had to spend six months on a jury, but she said the hospital she worked for refused to wait and fired her.
Susie Brown is now suing Central Florida Regional Hospital. She was picked a juror in an insurance fraud case. It was supposed to last four months, but Brown said when she told her employer it was extended to six months, the hospital terminated her employment.
"I never dreamed they would let me go," said Brown. "I was on jury duty."
Brown had worked at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford for 12 years. She started as an X-ray tech, was promoted to supervisor and then became an administrator. She said her boss wasn't happy she was picked as a juror on a trial expected to last four months.
"He said I should have come to him sooner and he would have written a letter to get me out," said Brown.
But Brown felt obligated to fulfill her civic duty.
"I would not lie to a federal judge," she said.
When the judge extended the trial two more months, Brown said she was terrified to tell her boss. A week after she broke the news, she said she was fired.
Federal law protects a juror's job. The statute says "no employer shall discharge... an employee who has jury duty."
Central Florida Regional Hospital told Channel Nine Brown's position was eliminated and her firing had nothing to do with jury duty. The judge in the case on which Brown served told her to get an attorney. She did and said she wants to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.
"I want people to go on jury duty and not fear losing their job," she said.
Brown would not disclose the amount of money she's seeking. Her lawyer expects it will take at least a year before her case goes to trial.
- Saw this and thought of Spanielsells...
LINK: http://www.wftv.com/news/14473736/detail.html
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. -- A Seminole County woman says she had to spend six months on a jury, but she said the hospital she worked for refused to wait and fired her.
Susie Brown is now suing Central Florida Regional Hospital. She was picked a juror in an insurance fraud case. It was supposed to last four months, but Brown said when she told her employer it was extended to six months, the hospital terminated her employment.
"I never dreamed they would let me go," said Brown. "I was on jury duty."
Brown had worked at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford for 12 years. She started as an X-ray tech, was promoted to supervisor and then became an administrator. She said her boss wasn't happy she was picked as a juror on a trial expected to last four months.
"He said I should have come to him sooner and he would have written a letter to get me out," said Brown.
But Brown felt obligated to fulfill her civic duty.
"I would not lie to a federal judge," she said.
When the judge extended the trial two more months, Brown said she was terrified to tell her boss. A week after she broke the news, she said she was fired.
Federal law protects a juror's job. The statute says "no employer shall discharge... an employee who has jury duty."
Central Florida Regional Hospital told Channel Nine Brown's position was eliminated and her firing had nothing to do with jury duty. The judge in the case on which Brown served told her to get an attorney. She did and said she wants to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.
"I want people to go on jury duty and not fear losing their job," she said.
Brown would not disclose the amount of money she's seeking. Her lawyer expects it will take at least a year before her case goes to trial.
- Saw this and thought of Spanielsells...
LINK: http://www.wftv.com/news/14473736/detail.html
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Yep, someones in deep poop! 0 -
She won't have to worry about income when that case is done.... 0 -
A few random thoughts:
To an employer, the sudden vacating of a position, and finding out that the remaining employees can handle the extra load caused by the loss of an employee, and saving a complete salary in the process seems to make good business sense to eliminate that position. It probably happens a lot.
And as a Federal employee, I had always accepted jury duty. I received full Federal salary while absent from the job. I was also free of shift work. Joe0 -
I cant help but wonder if this is a complete-true, storey with nothing left out. 0 -
Cha-Ching! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Grunt2
She won't have to worry about income when that case is done....
Time to retire on her own island0 -
See, and now she has to sue. But, that doesn't put money in her bank account NOW.
This is the sort of crap I was talking about this weekend with regard to my being subpoenaed to testify on Tuesday when I have an important, out-of-state business meeting to run.
Thankfully, the case settled, but it was still a great way to ruin my weekend while I was scrambling trying to figure out how to honor my obligation to my employer while avoiding jail for skipping out on the summons.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
See, and now she has to sue. But, that doesn't put money in her bank account NOW.
This is the sort of crap I was talking about this weekend with regard to my being subpoenaed to testify on Tuesday when I have an important, out-of-state business meeting to run.
Thankfully, the case settled, but it was still a great way to ruin my weekend while I was scrambling trying to figure out how to honor my obligation to my employer while avoiding jail for skipping out on the summons.
Not to derail this thread, but I'm glad to hear how that worked out for you. I'm sure I'm not the only one to have wondered, since last weekend. I assume as I say that, of course, that you were able to make your meeting, and that no legal axe is now poised to fall.
For all that it could have turned out far worse, my sympathy for the aggravation and anxiety you were put to.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
Thankfully, the case settled,
Ha!
Happens more often than not!0 -
quote:Originally posted by joeaf1911a1
I cant help but wonder if this is a complete-true, storey with nothing left out.
You must had read my mind.0 -
If your job is "Mission Critical" you can be exempted from jury duty.
There are many ways to avoid the duty. Personally I would like to serve on at least one jury. But as a LEO...I always get dismissed.
A subpoena is a different story. Sometimes you can talk them into a "taped deposition"..And avoid the in person summons..
quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
See, and now she has to sue. But, that doesn't put money in her bank account NOW.
This is the sort of crap I was talking about this weekend with regard to my being subpoenaed to testify on Tuesday when I have an important, out-of-state business meeting to run.
Thankfully, the case settled, but it was still a great way to ruin my weekend while I was scrambling trying to figure out how to honor my obligation to my employer while avoiding jail for skipping out on the summons.0 -
i was a union employee so jury duty was a break from my job. i received full pay and jury pay and my job was as safe as can be. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by givette
A few random thoughts:
To an employer, the sudden vacating of a position, and finding out that the remaining employees can handle the extra load caused by the loss of an employee, and saving a complete salary in the process seems to make good business sense to eliminate that position. It probably happens a lot.
Correct. However, they really shouldn't do it while she is on jury duty. They should wait until she has completed her civic duty, then axe her.0 -
If I remember right, the judge asks in the beginning of the jury selection, if being selected for a lengthy trail will put an undo hardship on the juror. That was her time to say yes. Most hospitals here in Fl. are running short to begin with. Having an administrator out for that length of time seems excessive. As an administrator, she should have been aware of this unless she was on her way out anyway. Regardless,, With todays juries, she'll get more than she's worth. 0 -
I hope when her case goes to trial she doesn't get twelve more people fired. 0
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