A woman who worked at a grocery shop in Spanish Town, St Catherine, was fired last month because she reported sick for two days.

The owner of the shop has refused to speak with her or make arrangements to give her salary owing to her along with the notice pay of two weeks for firing her.

According to the woman, she was employed at the grocery shop for nine months. She said prior to the two days she was sick, she had only stopped from work one day some months before. She explained that she was always on time for work and had worked overtime especially on weekends without being compensated.

"I just cannot understand how my boss could just fire me because I was sick for two days," she said.

"I was working at the grocery shop for nine months before I was fired. I called my boss the Wednesday and told him I could not come to work because I was feeling sick. I called him the following day and told him that I was still feeling sick. When I turned up at work the Friday morning, my boss said I should go back home. He said he could not deal with sick people.

two weeks pay

"It is now five weeks since I was fired and I have not even received the two weeks pay for firing me. I went to the shop several times to speak to the owner about payment but he refuses to speak to me. One of my friends told me to write him a letter about the situation. One of the workers told me the owner read the letter, tore it up and said he was not giving me any money.

"I cannot understand why I cannot be paid. Four months after I started working at the shop, I was sick for one day. I was never sick again until last month so I can see no reason why I should be fired. I have never been late for work. I work overtime especially on weekends and I don't get pay for overtime. I have never complained for not being paid for overtime. I was very happy for the job because I have my three children to care for.

my sickness

"I am aware it is his business and if he does not need my service, he should tell me. I don't think he should use my sickness to punish me or fire me. I was a good and honest worker, and I should not be treated in this fashion," she said

Under the Employment (Termination and Redundancy Payments) Act a contract of employment can be terminated either by an employer or employee. However, an employer must have just cause to fire an employee, and in your situation it does not appear there was just cause in firing you. You are entitled to all salary owing to you up to the time you were fired as well as the two weeks notice pay for firing you.

You should go to the Ministry of Labour and ask for assistance to resolve the issue.

It is now five weeks since I was fired and I have not even received the two weeks pay for firing me. I went to the shop several times to speak to the owner about payment, but he refuses to speak

to me.