**WARNING, This is a long post so get comfortable if you are going to read it**

I was a dedicated subject to Rent A Center for almost a year and found out that I am pregnant. Following my first OB appointment to confirm this, my District Manager and Store Manager at the time made sure to have me get a note from my OB giving me a lifting restriction as my job does consist of lifting and they didn't want to have anything bad happen in my pregnancy due to anything strenuous. I received this note from my OB on September 12, 2007. This note was put into my employee file and from there the store I worked in made accommodation's for my pregnancy.

I continued my job everyday, never requesting a special schedule or less hours. Approved for 6 co workers initially; we were a staff of 4 because of the turn over rate that seemed to affect that store, I was the newbie that stayed the longest. We finally found and hired 2 more who we knew would be a good fit for the store, smart and capable men. Our RM at the time eventually approved us for a 7th co worker for various reasons, so we transfered in from another store.

My employment goes on as does my pregnancy, 50 or more hours a week.

In early January I begin the process of filing my paperwork for my Maternity leave which would have taken place in May. (Now, keep in mind that my doctor has given my pregnancy and me working during a thumbs up, no complications what so ever.) Either way, getting the ball rolling for my Maternity leave to be approved and processed, Corporate mentions that they don't think I should be working right now due to the pregnancy. If the lady that told me that is correct, I would have to take an "Administrative leave" immediately. She explained to me that this leave would be unpaid, no job when I got back unless I qualified for FMLA but I'm not terminated either. The lady said that she would need to speak to her manager and let me know what would happen.

January 29th (my new day off) I get a phone call at my home from this lady in the Corporate office who informs me that I would have to be on "Administrative leave" immediately and I had no choice but to take it. This is unpaid, no job when I get back unless I want to relocate to another area entirely yet I'm not terminated.(AKA "Administrative leave?") Almost 7 months into a completely healthy pregnancy and that's it, all this time dedicated to a company and that's it. I've been working there since August as a pregnant woman, doing a d**n good job at everything my job entails, collections, paperwork, customer service etc. and because I have a temporary restriction, (which was almost over by the way because I have about 3 months to go) I'm done. No more job, no more income and when I have my baby, I have to get back out on the job market and explain all of this to a new employer when they ask me why I'm no longer employed with RAC?

I'm a liability, therefore I am unemployed. I've had to go down to the local welfare office and apply for public assistance because of this and Rent A Center corporate refuses to even give me documentation stating that I am on an "Administrative leave" they insist on telling everyone who asks that it's a "Medical Leave" which I argue, my OB says I'm fine to work, so If it's not a forced leave or Medical leave, then I want my job back. No. Yet they won't give me proper documentation to keep for my records. My store manager is actually telling customers with whom I have very good report with that I have been having "complications in my pregnancy" and had to take my leave early. We wonder why so many people become so disgruntled? Rent A Center just tossed me aside because they figured it would be easier to discard me.

I feel powerless and have been getting extremely depressed because of all of this. Do I have any rights at all? Can a company really do something like this?

I didn't stress it at first because I thought they couldn't or wouldn't do something like this to me.

I have been a very valuable team member to my store, but that doesn't matter.

Make Rent A Center tons of money and whenever they feel like it they can throw away the very fabric of their company? How would they make any money if none of us on the front line were there selling their products, enforcing their collection criteria or doing their best with our market?

Something my father always tried to stick in my head that is great advice...

Stay in school, get an education and stay far away from greedy, life stealing corporate companies like this.

Here's the truth:

Being a Rent A Center employee you will:

1) Alienate your family and friends because of the insane number of hours they expect you to work.

2) Bust your a*s, pull your muscles and hope that it's good enough

3) Get compensated as little as possible for everything you do for the company.

For as much as this company expects of you, they sure do not pay like their "co workers" mean much to them. Or treat them as such either. Did you know that none of the Rent A Center stores are allowed employee refrigerators or pretty much anything that has to do with food/ refreshments in their stores unless it's for the customers? Many of the employees pull 12 hour days more then a few days a week and there are no scheduled breaks except lunch. Cathy Lee would be very proud. Makes you very excited about being an employee doesn't it?

Don't believe me? Doesn't matter. I have nothing to lose or gain by posting this other then venting. Life goes on and as much as there are always two sides to a story, sometimes the other side is really that messed up.

Thanks for taking the time to read my rants, ALL comments are welcome positive or negative. I'm always up for a intelligent argument. -NOWAYMAM-

***Already canned from the company so bring on the retaliation "Rent A Center" and followers, you took my children's financial stability away... Bring it on***

Nowaymam

Twin Falls, Idaho

U.S.A.

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17 Updates & Rebuttals

Nowaymam

Kimberly,
Idaho,
USA

My apologies!!!

Sat, August 15, 2009

My first response was directed to the wrong user, I apologize Blindman. That was actually directed towards:

Rac1
Marion
U.S.A.
Not entirely accurate.......
I am too tired to read these threads accurately! Either way, enjoy :)

Nowaymam

Kimberly,
Idaho,
USA

Business is Business

Sat, August 15, 2009

I have since gone back to work at RAC and though the work schedule can be insane at times I have grown to like my job because of various reason, mainly our new crew there. Being a RAC co-worker can be VERY strenuous at times and the hours worked seem like a lot as a mother but the opportunity is there if you go for it. I have recently had a devastating situation happen and learned what RAC is really like as far as caring for their co-workers. Without going into too many of the personal details I will just say that RAC has been outstanding in showing me a different side than I saw then.

In repsonse to "Blindman" post; Not entirely accurate.......

"While I understand your frustration, the information in your claim is not entirely accurate for stores throughout the company. First of all, yes, if you are on a medical restriction, not related to work, you must take a leave of abscence. It may be administrative, or FMLA, but a leave is required if you have restrictions due to a non-work related injury. It is for your protection, as well as the company's. If you can freely work without restriction, I would recommend contacting corporate HR. Secondly, your claim of no allowances for food in your store, is ridiculous. I know for a fact, every store I have visited always has an employee use refridgerator. It may not always be the same frig. ( we have to keep those 90 day idles down ), but there is always something to accomadate the employees. As for the strenuous work, you know what you are getting into when you take the job, that's why we have an observation day. And if you can't handle it, quit. The hours, I am an assistant manager in my location, I typically put in more hours than anyone else in the store. I still get out with 50 hours or less per week. If you do your job, and do it well, there is no need to be away from your family. I get so tired of hearing people complain about there job, you agree to do it every week when you sign your check, you don't like it, QUIT !! In todays market, there are many people hungry for a job. I personally am thankful for all RAC has given me, and it just eats me up to hear people complain about it."

*For someone who seems to know SO much about Coporate leave policy you obviously need to sit down with your RM, DM or SM and go over what "Rent Ready" means. It is NOT acceptable to keep your personal food or beverages in refrigerators that are on the showroom floor, ESPECIALLY high idle! How embarrassing would it be if you were trying to show a fridge and someones sack lunches were in there? Are you for real? I don't slander, I state facts as they happen "Blindman". I was a new co worker when the order came down from above that we had to remove not just the refrigerator but the microwave also. It was also an order from above that we are to CLOCK OUT FOR OUR LUNCH period and leave the building so that we could actually get the break in the first place. Call ANY store in our district, we aren't permitted to have them. With the labor laws and everyone being so lawsuit happy I understand why they had our stores remove them. As far is this statement "If you do your job, and do it well, there is no need to be away from your family." I don't know where you learned your concept of time but being gone for 48-50 hours during the week is still being gone quite a bit, doing your job well or not. Unless of course you don't have a family or spouse to go home to, in that case 60 hours a week wouldn't be long for you either I'm sure.

I'm too tired to go on with this but I will conclude with a couple more thoughts, before YOU go stating "Corporate Policy" on a public website you may want to make sure you are stating exactly as it is in our handbook instead of posting a gross misinterpretation .(like you did with MY initinial post) I have the ENTIRE handbook here, I will look this up and if you are incorrect I will let it be known. Lastly, my DOCTOR is the one who stated my position with RAC would be too strenuous not I. I LOVE that part of our job and I would run circles around you out in the field so you can cut that nonsense out as well. The POINT of my initial complaint with RAC is that I felt tossed to the wayside and considering the stress I was under my rants were not unjustified. However RAC has more than redeemed themselves in my opinion with their actions during a recent event in my life. My hat is off to the company. Also, if you are going to post anymore responses to this then please do yourself a favor and use spell check next time. Blogging with spelling errors is just as ridiculous as the sack lunches in your "rent ready" refrigerators. Here's a great question for you Mr. or Miss. Assistant Manager; are you one of those "salespeople" that has to throw in the free time with those sack lunches just to get the sale? Refrigerator is NOT spelled with a D thank you. (sorry, inside joke there.)

As far as the other females who have been "fired" for being pregnant, I know that this isn't the exact truth but if your store Manager was careless enough to fire you then I assure you they won't be manager much longer, keeping people like that as managers of their stores are more of a liability then a pregnant woman working there! Administrative leave or FMLA (if you qualify) is what you should get, the company wouldn't knowlingly fire any woman who is pregnant because that would essentially be signing over a HUGE check to you. I'm sure RAC didn't get where they are by being bad in business or NOT covering their buns. Call Corporate and talk to them about the leave stuff if you're unsure. If you are a female working in the stores make sure you understand this is something you should be prepared for also. RAC will do what they can to give you that time off, etc but YOU are the one responsible for seeing that the paperwork, phone calls, faxes and research are getting done.(common sense here please.) If you don't care about your position in the company it will be obvious during these times. By the way, the previous NOWAYMAM post was not my own. I don't know how to NOT email, blog or write without FULLY articulating my opinion like I've just done. So whoever that is please change your screen name.Thank you and remember, Business is Business. -The real "NOWAYMAM"

Blindman

Shawnee Mission,
Kansas,
U.S.A.

What?

#4UPDATE Employee

Thu, June 18, 2009

You're an Asst. Manager and get 50hrs or less? How did you get so lucky? We also don't have a refrigerator. Regional came in and said that if there is food in the fridge, it's not "rent ready", so it's a no go.

Blindman

Shawnee Mission,
Kansas,
U.S.A.

What?

#5UPDATE Employee

Thu, June 18, 2009

Blindman

Shawnee Mission,
Kansas,
U.S.A.

What?

#6UPDATE Employee

Thu, June 18, 2009

Blindman

Shawnee Mission,
Kansas,
U.S.A.

What?

#7UPDATE Employee

Thu, June 18, 2009

Rac1

Marion,
Ohio,
U.S.A.

Not entirely accurate.......

#8UPDATE Employee

Tue, May 26, 2009

While I understand your frustration, the information in your claim is not entirely accurate for stores throughout the company. First of all, yes, if you are on a medical restriction, not related to work, you must take a leave of abscence. It may be administrative, or FMLA, but a leave is required if you have restrictions due to a non-work related injury. It is for your protection, as well as the company's. If you can freely work without restriction, I would recommend contacting corporate HR. Secondly, your claim of no allowances for food in your store, is ridiculous. I know for a fact, every store I have visited always has an employee use refridgerator. It may not always be the same frig. ( we have to keep those 90 day idles down ), but there is always something to accomadate the employees. As for the strenuous work, you know what you are getting into when you take the job, that's why we have an observation day. And if you can't handle it, quit. The hours, I am an assistant manager in my location, I typically put in more hours than anyone else in the store. I still get out with 50 hours or less per week. If you do your job, and do it well, there is no need to be away from your family. I get so tired of hearing people complain about there job, you agree to do it every week when you sign your check, you don't like it, QUIT !! In todays market, there are many people hungry for a job. I personally am thankful for all RAC has given me, and it just eats me up to hear people complain about it.

Mrs.Jackson

Charleston,
South Carolina,
U.S.A.

Same thing happen to me!!!

#9UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, May 02, 2009

I was 14wks pregnant when they did it to me. Then I tired to return and I found out today that I was terminated sometime in Feb. 2009 and they didn't even say anything to me. I need witnesses that this goes on please don't be afraid to send me a statement (((ROR redacted))) CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Pissedoffinpa

Erie,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.

Fired for pregnancy

#10UPDATE EX-employee responds

Wed, January 14, 2009

Please contact me..(((Redacted))) I was fired as soon as I got a lifting restriction placed on me. CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Libbylou66

Shenandoah,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.

same thing happened to me

#11UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, August 09, 2008

I just wanted to say that when I was seven months pregnant I was also put on leave. And it came by email on the day I was working and I was the asst. manager and I was the one who read the email it stated "This employee shouldn't be being paid she is on leave" Neither my manger nor I was ever informed that I was to be on leave. My manger called my dm who then was also shocked. A week later I was on leave. I was also told by home office that I was lucky I got to stay till 27 weeks of pregnancy. But what I don't understand is when I first got pregnant I was put on strict bedrest and had to take a 6 week leave of absence. But home office let me come back. A month into my leave I recvied a letter by mail saying I was terminated. So I too went though it, oh and a week after I was pushed out on leave my husband who worked at a different store was convently told he was to go on workers comp for his back that was injured while at work months before. His back was injured in the winter, and they put him on workers comp at the end of june. Odd isn't it.

Jamaal

Macon,
Georgia,
U.S.A.

A similar incident.

#12UPDATE EX-employee responds

Tue, July 15, 2008

Hi. Im Jamaal. I have a similar situation to your situation. Up until May of 2008 I considered myself to be A good employee of Rent a Center (Macon, Ga). During my employment at Rent a Center, I incurred an Low grade Directive sacoma of the left scapula. Im lamen terms, a bone cancer of the left shoulder. I was told by my Distict manager that I need to file for a Medical leave of absence and to use any vacation time that i had accumulated. I could not be put on limited duty unless I had incurred an incident on the job, says the District manager. I was Admitted in the hospital May 20, 2008 to be surgically treated for this problem. After being treated, I went through the healing process. After about 4 weeks, (When im ready to return to work.) The doctor puts me on a restriction of not being able to lift anything over 10 pounds for the rest of my life. Being the honest guy that I am, I advise my District manager of my situaion, including informing him of the restriction that my doctor has put me on. The District manager then informs me that I will not be able to return to work until I'm 100% free of any restriction. He advise me to call Home Office of Plano, Texas to get more information, they advise me that there is nothing that they can do to help me. They inform me i'll be on Leave of Absence until October when i'll be Officially Terminated. I feel that I've been mistreated badly. All I wanted was to return to work with my co- workers. We all had a great relationship and got the job done. I think you and I both should get legal counsultation from a lawyer of Attorney. What do you think. (478-461-2438) Oh yeah, Congrats on your pregnancy.

Krissi

Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.

I went through the same thing......

#13UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, June 21, 2008

I went through the same thing with this company(RAC) I to was fired for being pregnant. It was when I was 7 months I hurt my back really bad. Our company was off that Mon and My regular day off was that tues day. I had called on wed and told them I was unable to make it in My back was hurting really bad I could hardly walk.. I went to work thurs (this is an hour drive for me) With my back stll hurting.. I had talked to my Manager late wed and told him I would be in. He said"ok see you then" Any way as I returned to work he asked for my doctors note. I said I thought we only needed after 3 continuse days of a call out. I told him fine I'll get one. He then said I could not work if I did not have one. So I left alittle upset that I drove an hour he could of told me that last night plus my back was still in alot of pain. I went to the doctors on Tues and faxed over my doctors note. I then recieved a call for the from my manager's manager he said I needed to have these forms filled out before I went back to work. He faxed them to me. AS I read the forms it was a list of things that I could do and what not I needed to be able to lift and move heavy objects before returning to work. I gave the forms to my doctor who said this is crazy your about to have a baby you can't do this stuff. I then called my reginal Manager and told him that I could not do that I can only do light duty. He then said Technically we don't have light duty so I think we been kind of nice to you for this long, and not to return to work. I was so upset I worked there for 2 years and never had a problem before and many other men employes were but on light duty. Why was this different for me. Alot more crap to place in between this time but I won't get into most of it. Between the paper work and all that crap I did all I had to and still got screwed. Anyway after I was gone for about 2 weeks people and employees start to ask about me. My manager told them that I quit which was a complete lie. If I was such a bad employee and so easy to fire why did I get promoted 3 times in 2 years. To make a long story short RAC is a mans company and something should be done. I was fired after 2 years of great work cause I was having a baby, what jerks

Just Me

Charleston,
South Carolina,
U.S.A.

I am going through a similar situation!

#14UPDATE EX-employee responds

Fri, May 30, 2008

This company needs to be reported and needs to be taught a lesson. It is unfair to the employee that they can do something like that and get away with it!

Nowaymam

Kimberly,
Idaho,
U.S.A.

In repsonse to the latest comment on this post...

#15Author of original report

Wed, March 12, 2008

I don't know how anyone is supposed to get in contact with one another through this other then posting their private information on this site for all to read. If you know of a way then let me know because I have a lot more information then what is listed here in this report. -

Lil Meg

Southgate,
Michigan,
U.S.A.

U need to get a hold of me

#16UPDATE EX-employee responds

Tue, March 11, 2008

I went through the same thing. I am in a lawsuit with them. I would like to talk to you about it.

Julie

Long Beach,
California,
U.S.A.

You need to see an attorney

#17Consumer Suggestion

Wed, February 06, 2008

You should definitely see an attorney. From what you have said, they have violated the law and you could get damages for the stress of not having a job, enough income, etc., etc. This is exactly the kind of bad behavior the Family Leave Act was designed to prevent. Julie

Steven

Jacksonville,
Florida,
U.S.A.

What about DOL

#18Consumer Suggestion

Sat, February 02, 2008

Have you contacted the state and/or federal Dept of Labor folks?? Sounds like you worked for lazy bums. Did you ever get an employee handbook or something of that nature?? What did it say was the process? Was taking an administrative leave part of that process??? You should probably consult an attorney as well to see about collecting disability or some other claim.

Reports & Rebuttal

Complaint Review: Rent A Center - Twin Falls Idaho

Rent A Center corporate terminated my employment due to pregnancy!!! Twin Falls Idaho

*Consumer Suggestion: What about DOL

*Consumer Suggestion: You need to see an attorney

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: U need to get a hold of me

*Author of original report: In repsonse to the latest comment on this post...

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: I am going through a similar situation!

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: I went through the same thing......

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: A similar incident.

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: same thing happened to me

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Fired for pregnancy

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Same thing happen to me!!!

*UPDATE Employee: Not entirely accurate.......

* : Business is Business

* : My apologies!!!

*UPDATE Employee: What?

*UPDATE Employee: What?

*UPDATE Employee: What?

*UPDATE Employee: What?

17 Updates & Rebuttals

My apologies!!!

Rac1MarionU.S.A.Not entirely accurate.......I am too tired to read these threads accurately! Either way, enjoy :)

Rac1

Business is Business

What?

What?

What?

What?

Not entirely accurate.......

Same thing happen to me!!!

Fired for pregnancy

same thing happened to me

A similar incident.

I went through the same thing......

I am going through a similar situation!

In repsonse to the latest comment on this post...

U need to get a hold of me

You need to see an attorney

What about DOL

Respond to this report!

Also a victim?

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Rac1
Marion
U.S.A.
Not entirely accurate.......
I am too tired to read these threads accurately! Either way, enjoy :)