Michigan Bank Employee Fired After Taking Leave to Care for Terminally Ill Daughter

A Michigan woman who dedicated 30 years of service to Huntington Bank claims she was wrongfully terminated after taking time off under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for her daughter. Terri Estepp, a former employee at the bank, had used four weeks of FMLA leave after exhausting all her paid time off to be with her daughter, Samantha, who was battling triple-negative breast cancer.

A Mother’s Struggle to Care for Her Daughter

Samantha, who was living in California, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in April 2023. As her condition worsened, Estepp prioritized being by her daughter’s side, using up her vacation days and paid leave. When those were depleted, she turned to the FMLA, a federal law that allows employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for medical or family-related reasons.

Upon returning to work, she requested additional time off to continue supporting her daughter. However, instead of being granted leave, Estepp was abruptly fired the same day, leaving her devastated.

Daughter Blamed Herself for Mother’s Job Loss

Estepp revealed that what hurt her the most was not the termination itself but the impact it had on her daughter. Samantha felt guilty, believing she was the reason for her mother losing her job. "It really hurt her. She started to cry on the phone. She said, ‘Mom, you lost your job because of me,’" Estepp shared. Tragically, just ten days after her termination, Samantha passed away at the age of 31.

Legal Battle Against the Bank

Estepp’s attorney, Sarah Prescott, has filed a lawsuit against Huntington Bank, arguing that her client was unjustly fired for utilizing her FMLA rights. Prescott emphasized Estepp’s long-standing dedication to the company, noting that she had represented over 6,000 businesses and families throughout her tenure.

Meanwhile, Huntington Bank denied the allegations, stating that her termination was "unrelated to an FMLA leave of absence." However, they have not provided a specific reason for her dismissal.

A Fight for Justice

Estepp hopes her case will bring awareness to the struggles faced by caregivers and prevent other employees from facing similar treatment. "I was in complete shock. I was not ready for anything like this," she said. The lawsuit will determine whether the bank’s actions violated federal protections for employees using FMLA leave.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Sreelekshmi P/MSM)