I finally got a reply from someone I e-mailed!!!  YAY!!

 

Here is what I wrote:

 

Hi!!

I have a few questions and was hoping that you could point me in the right
direction.  I will tell you my situation first...

I was fired from my job last week due to absences (8 in four months).  I was
called at work every time from my childrens' daycare to go get them because
they had definite signs of being sick and according to the Public Health
policies I had to follow, I lost my job.

I immediately went home and called an attorney to see what I could do about
that as being discriminatory, and he said that it is discrimination, but
there is no law that they broke, so he couldn't help me.  He did, however,
direct me to the Human Rights Committee.

I called them and a lady answered the phone.  I explained to her my
situation and she said that she, too, was a single mom and would like to see
something in law that protects us from discrimination due to being a single
parent who is responsible for their children when things arise like this,
but there was nothing that the Human Rights Committee could do.  Apparently
they only protect individual rights, not 'family' rights.

I proceded to ask her how I could change that and she said to write my
legislature and of course, I did.  I even took the time to write Oprah
*LOL*.   Ofcourse, I haven't heard anything back from anyone yet.  :)  I
really don't expect to, being just one voice in the matter.

I then proceded to join single parent boards and started posts in their
forums sharing my story and my frustrations to discover that this is a
national problem that happens on many different levels from keeping your job
(like my story) to having a roof over your family's head (finding somene to
rent to a single parent).

I got so upset hearing all of everyone's stories that I suggested we start
doing something about it!   Well, that is when all the skeletons came out of
the closet and no one knows where to start.  One person said that she went
as far as going to her state congressman and she was told that she would
need to form a committee and lobby against congress.   She was also told
that there are legalities involved.

So, here I am researching for everyone some answers so this doesn't just die
in the water as another lost cause.  Can you give me any links to
information or anything?  I need to get as much info as possible.  Something
needs to change and we want to bring about that change, we just need to know
where to start.  Do we form a committee and start rallies?   If that is the
case, how do we go about that?   What are the legalities involved?  Please
help us!!   If, for some reason you can't, can you direct me to someone who
can?

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Sincerely Frustrated,
Bethany Edwards  :)

 

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And here is what he wrote:

 

Bethany-

Thanks for your email.  I'm sorry to hear about you losing your job because you had the nerve to do what's right for your kids! 

What our organization does is community organizing.  By organizing together, we have the power to affect change in a way that we don't by ourselves.  I'd be happy to meet with you to discuss what directions you may want to take, though I want you to know that our organization is not currently working on this particular issue.  Our current legislative priority is securing quality, affordable health care for everyone in the state. 

Let me know if you'd like to meet & when.  Our office is in Seattle.  Where do you live? 

If you'd like to jump right in to get a sense of what we're about, we have a lobby day on this Tuesday in Olympia where we'll be talking to legislators about health care for all.  During the day, we'll be providing training on how to effectively lobby your legislators - a skill that is transferable to any issue you want to lobby them on.

Best,
Joshua
206-389-0050 x108

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I will be giving him a call and making arrangements on going...YAY!!!!!!!   I am excited!!!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wrote to my local Legislature on the 16th of February and wanted to share with you what I wrote:

Subject: Being a Single Parent and What I am Up Against.

I Come home today, trying to keep it together in front of my two boys so they don't know the turmoil I am feeling, turmoil they are yet too young to understand but can sense in me. I was fired again from yet another job because of the absences I had taken from work due to their illnesses and the daycare policies. Eight incidences is what the daycare tallied up for me.

I am looking at possibly being thrown out of my apartment, losing my car insurance, having yet another judgment put on me from another bill collector that I cannot pay, skipping some meals so my kids can eat, and the list of worries goes on and on.

I believe all things happen for a reason and that you can always find the good in the midst of all the bad. I am on search for the good that can come out of this situation, not just for myself and my little family, but for all the single parents and little families out there that face the same challenges.

After getting home, I set to the task of looking for a sliver of justice in my situation. I called an attorney to find out if there was anything I could legally do about this and to no avail, he couldn't help me. He did direct me, however, to the Human Rights Committee. I called there and found another dead end. Apparently, this situation is not labeled as 'discrimination' and Human Rights is only about protecting individuals, not families like mine. The woman I talked to on the phone shared her fears as well, being a single working mom and the injustices that title bears. She wants to feel that there is some protection out there for her, too, and hopes that someday there is something in place.

She encouraged me to come here and see if there could be anything done.

Being a single mom, I strive to survive without the help of our taxpayers dollars, not for reasons of pride, but because I am capable of working. I see no sense in it. What further doesn't make any sense is why this keeps happening to single parents. Why isn't there laws that protect us in this situation? It doesn't make any sense.

Has anyone discussed this as being an issue when they have talked about downsizing the statistics of welfare? This would be one of those issues that should be brought to the table. Sure, it is great to have programs in place where you can go to school and get certified while on welfare, but once you are off, what protects you from being able to keep your job when your kids are sick and you have to miss work?

There are several good reasons to have something in place that protects single parents from being fired over absences due to their children's illnesses when they cannot be in daycare because of the policies. It is bad enough that you aren't paid for the days you miss.

Is there anything that can be done? Is there a way I could go about getting something done?

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I am going to see what I can do about this and make a stand for single parents out there.  If you wish to join me, or you are in a similar situation, please feel free to contact me. Something needs to be done, for our kids' sake!!!!!!!