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Fired After Using Protected Sick Time And Approved Pto

Location: Massachusetts USA

In February 2025, I was fired from my bank job for “using unplanned PTO” and for being on a final warning (after receiving two written warnings prior).

The two warnings were for lateness and absences, one given in July 2023 and the other in December 2024. But the absences listed on both warnings were days when I used my earned sick time under the 40-hour limit that Massachusetts protects. I was under the impression that employers cannot retaliate (such as by issuing warnings) for using protected sick time under MA law.

The “unplanned PTO” incident happened when I needed to leave early for a family emergency. I messaged my supervisor on Teams, asked if I could use emergency PTO for the rest of the day, and she approved it. The company handbook says unplanned PTO can be used in emergencies with supervisor approval. Despite this, HR claimed the PTO wasn’t valid because it was “unscheduled.”

I was also denied a standard promotion because of the two earlier warnings. I have documentation of those warnings, but I no longer have access to the Teams chat that confirmed my PTO was approved.

Is this worth pursuing legally?

submitted by /u/OutsideGlobal1850
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Fired After Using Protected Sick Time And Approved Pto

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