Long Term Disability question in Missouri

I was on short-term disability (STD) that transitioned to long-term disability (LTD). I last spoke to my employer in April, and they advised me that if I am on LTD for 6 months or more, I would be terminated. I understand that, and I am okay with it. However, I never received a return-to-work date. My six-month mark hit in July, and I still have not heard any notice from my employer. In July, a coworker informed me that an email was sent out to all employees advising that I would not be returning to work and that they were looking for my replacement. Despite this, I have yet to hear anything directly from my employer. Technically, they would need to terminate me or take some action, as I have to return my work computer. My legal question is whether it is right for them to inform all my coworkers that I am fired while I have not received any official communication.

They didn’t say you were fired; they said you were not coming back.

Did you not contact them? Technically, Missouri doesn’t have a law requiring them to inform you. Of course, any rational person would, but legally, they haven’t violated anything.

There is no law in Missouri that requires notification of termination unless there’s a contract or a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in place.

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It seems concerning that they would inform others before notifying you. While it may not be illegal, it certainly raises ethical questions regarding communication in the workplace.

It might be helpful to reach out to HR for clarification on your status and to express your concerns about the communication breakdown.

This situation is definitely troubling. It’s important for employers to handle terminations transparently and respectfully. Consider documenting everything for your records.

If you have not received any official termination notice, you might still be technically employed. It may be worth consulting with a labor attorney to understand your rights.

Reaching out to your manager for clarification might provide you with some peace of mind. It’s always best to have direct communication.

If you feel uncomfortable with this situation, it may be time to consider other employment opportunities where communication is clearer.