Minneapolis and St. Cloud employment law attorney Sheila Engelmeier discusses an important case. She shared that one of the most memorable cases of her career involved representing an employee who was undergoing cancer treatment. She explained that, as a result of chemotherapy and radiation, the employee experienced significant facial swelling. According to her, the employee’s employer called her into a meeting, acknowledged that she did not appear to be feeling well, and told her that she should go home and never return to work.

She reflected that she was uncertain whether the employer’s actions were motivated by discomfort with the employee’s changed appearance or by a mistaken belief that terminating her employment was somehow helpful. Regardless of the employer’s intent, she emphasized that the employee felt she had not been treated with dignity or respect. She further explained that the employer’s decision to terminate the employee under those circumstances was unlawful.