Verizon Wireless Fires Working Mother for Using Sick Leave While Husband in Iraq

Verizon Wireless likes to tout its inclusion on Working Mother magazine's list of the 100 best companies for working mothers.
However, the company clearly doesn't deserve this honor.

Far from being supportive of working mothers and the dilemmas they may face in balancing work and family, Verizon Wireless fired Kara DeWitt, a customer service representative and working mother, for taking sick leave while her husband was serving in Iraq.
Initially, Dale DeWitt was to be deployed for only 6 months, but his tour was extended twice, and Kara was on her own for 19 months.
During that time, their daughter Daisy, now 2, was born.
Kara was taking care of Daisy and her sister Julia, now 4, while working full-time at Verizon Wireless.
When the girls were sick, Kara of course had to stay home with them, using some of her sick days.

After using her allotted sick leave, Kara came down with pink eye and a stomach bug and took two additional sick days.
Rather than allowing her to use vacation time or work out any other arrangement, Verizon Wireless fired Kara.
Kara's family lost not only her income but also their health insurance; Dale is a self-employed HVAC contractor, so the entire family was on her health care policy.
Kara described her unfair treatment at CWA's Customer Service conference in Cranford, NJ, last week. After she spoke, participants passed the hat and raised more than $1,000 for Kara and her family.

Kara had worked at the Verizon Wireless call center in Wallingford, CT, and CWA Local 1298 is spearheading the effort to support Kara and have her reinstated.
The local and other allies will be marching on Verizon Wireless in Meriden, CT, on June 1 to demand Kara's job back.

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There goes the Verizon Cell Phone - Verizon, if you don't support the families then you don't support the troops.
And I don't support you.
It might cost Kara her Job because I boycott you, but you're not concerned about Kara anyway so it's not me costing her the job, it's you Mr. Dennis F.Strigl (CEO).
What a good American you are. Sleep well in your soft bed, ride confortable in your padded executive chair.
You've crossed a line in the sand and we see you.