Fired for exaggerating time sheet when going to therapist for a workplace injury .

by Larry

(Brick NJ 08742)

I was injured at work and went on light duty instead of going on disability (the dr said I had a choice but I wanted to work) so I went on light duty. My supervisor told me to put down the times I went to therapy and also the times I was on the phone with the insurance people. Unbeknownst to me the supervisor followed me twice to the therapist over a month ago(this seems to be company policy now) and timed me. I have always been a good worker and even got a certificate for good work just last year so this was shocking.

Everything seemed fine until last week when I was brought in and told this (I am still seeing the therapist) He said that I added on 15 minutes each time. I told him I was on the phone with the insurance people and that he himself had told me to add it on to my time sheet when I first started going. He denied this. I also asked what should I do from now on with the time sheets when I go to the therapist and the HR lady said “we’ll have to call corporate, I don’t know the procedure”. I also told her that I have receipts for the phone calls I made to insurance, but she said no that’s fine we don’t need them. This week I get called into the office and I was fired for exaggerating on my time sheet. I did everything my supervisor told me to do, but I was fired.

Hi Larry,

Your situation involves more that whether you can get unemployment and I do not feel qualified to answer you. I think you need to talk to a lawyer and one who specializes in employment law.

I’m telling you this because there’s other issues besides whether you can get unemployment such as, worker’s comp law, and possible employer retaliation issues. I think it would be unwise to proceed without an attorney’s advice.