Despite hard work, I was fired
You have job security. You are an asset to the company. You are our backbone. We appreciate everything you do. Our loyalty is with you.
Have you ever heard those words or words like them? I have. I heard them for almost four years while I worked day and night, seven days a week for an office I thought appreciated everything I did. I was praised for my hard work, my dedication and my skill.
To be more specific, I do medical transcriptions. This is what they call someone who works for a doctor typing out every word, thought or opinion they have on a patient. This is what I did for almost four years of my life.
To be more exact, transcription was all I did. I typed for four years straight. I stopped cooking, cleaning and socializing. Except for taking care of my children, I did little to nothing else. There were no vacations for me. There were no days off. There were no sick days. There was no overtime. In return for my hard work, I was paid and praised. I was told over and over the words that are above.
In the end of 2002, my health began to deteriorate. I was asked by my doctor, “What do you think would happen if you asked for help?” My reply was, “I’m afraid of losing my job.” With my years of loyalty, dedication and skill, no one (including me) thought that would happen. The fact remained: if I did not slow down and take a break, I would break.
With a little apprehension, I informed my boss that I must have some help. I could no longer work 24/7. I was reassured that they were “loyal to me and would do whatever I thought was best.” Within two months, another transcriptionist was hired to “help me out,” as I felt “overwhelmed.” Within two weeks, instead of helping me out, I was thrown out of the office and out of my job.
Beware the words at the top of this letter. They will make you work hard – harder than you have ever dreamed, when loyalty is just a lie.
Lisa Chapman
261 Park Drive
Rock Island