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Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

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Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#51
post #41

From their site: 'Employee mental health and wellbeing is another core focus at MongoDB. It’s important for us to help break the stigma around mental health and provide our employees with the support they need, especially at work. We are dedicated to providing our employees with valuable tools to face all of life’s challenges and offer mental health programs that provide confidential assistance from qualified profess…

All public culture documents are bullshit. It always comes down to your direct manager and what they believe in.

[deleted]

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#52
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did not say MongoDB weren’t being assholes here. I’m saying asshole behavior is the norm and should be expected. I have an excellent boss (and his boss is fantastically supportive too). Several coworkers have needed leave for sometimes weeks and they have accommodated them. I don’t expect this is the norm or written in our company policies.

I disagree, if you expect asshole behaviour, you make it the norm. Expect the behaviour you want, and complain when the standard isn't met. That's how you raise the bar.

That may work where you live, but as a small cog in a big wheel in the USA, profit over people is the rule, not the exception.

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

It's expected because of a large swath of defeatist citizens making comments like this. If we don't make this normal, it won't be normal.

It’s already normal and has been for a long time. Defeatist? No, people who have mortgages to pay and families to feed can’t be martyrs for workers’ rights. You want to change it, I’m not opposed, but you make it sound simple/easy.

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's expected because of a large swath of defeatist citizens making comments like this. If we don't make this normal, it won't be normal.

It’s already normal and has been for a long time. Defeatist? No, people who have mortgages to pay and families to feed can’t be martyrs for workers’ rights. You want to change it, I’m not opposed, but you make it sound simple/easy.

Continually acknowledging it renews its legitimacy as the status quo. Who said anything about families or mortgages? The tech industry has plenty of single mobile renters; we can make change by having a little faith in each other.

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s already normal and has been for a long time. Defeatist? No, people who have mortgages to pay and families to feed can’t be martyrs for workers’ rights. You want to change it, I’m not opposed, but you make it sound simple/easy.

Continually acknowledging it renews its legitimacy as the status quo. Who said anything about families or mortgages? The tech industry has plenty of single mobile renters; we can make change by having a little faith in each other.

By all means then, lead the revolution.

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Continually acknowledging it renews its legitimacy as the status quo. Who said anything about families or mortgages? The tech industry has plenty of single mobile renters; we can make change by having a little faith in each other.

By all means then, lead the revolution.

First step is going to be for you to admit you’re actively stopping it.

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#57
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree, if you expect asshole behaviour, you make it the norm. Expect the behaviour you want, and complain when the standard isn't met. That's how you raise the bar.

That may work where you live, but as a small cog in a big wheel in the USA, profit over people is the rule, not the exception.

It works in the US too. Workplace organizing is at its highest rate in decades right now. I’m not saying it’s easy but it will only continue to be a rule if it is never challenged.

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#58
post #8

Sad. And perhaps a controversial take but consider the counterfactual: Should it be illegal to fire employees that recent took mental health leave? Get a bad review or put on a PIP? It's already becoming a common strategy to immediately take mental health/sick leave.

Here's another controversial take: as long as healthcare is tied to employment, companies shouldn't be allowed to fire someone except for actual negligence / malice. If they suck at their job, find them another one at the company -- there has to be something they can do in a company of 5k employees.

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#59
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That may work where you live, but as a small cog in a big wheel in the USA, profit over people is the rule, not the exception.

It works in the US too. Workplace organizing is at its highest rate in decades right now. I’m not saying it’s easy but it will only continue to be a rule if it is never challenged.

Workplace organization...for tech workers? I haven't seen it.

Re: Employee commits suicide after MongoDB fired her during mental health leave

#60
post #8

Sad. And perhaps a controversial take but consider the counterfactual: Should it be illegal to fire employees that recent took mental health leave? Get a bad review or put on a PIP? It's already becoming a common strategy to immediately take mental health/sick leave.

Here's another controversial take: as long as healthcare is tied to employment, companies shouldn't be allowed to fire someone except for actual negligence / malice. If they suck at their job, find them another one at the company -- there has to be something they can do in a company of 5k employees.

this is too radical even for china or like good ol USSR… damn dude :)
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