Alberta mom suing Starbucks over her firing because she alleges her cancer was confused for COVID-19

An Alberta mom who alleges Starbucks Espresso Canada Inc. mistakenly thought her most cancers signs had been COVID-19 signs is now taking authorized motion towards the corporate, arguing she was wrongfully fired over the mix-up.

Lisa Pedersen has a uncommon kind of blood most cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasm and is present process chemotherapy therapies for it. That is whereas she can also be parenting three children, together with one with particular wants who requires round the clock care.

Pedersen has been combating the most cancers for the final two years, and now she can also be combating her former employer whom she stated fired her with out trigger.

For 4 years Pedersen labored at a Starbucks coffeeshop in Airdrie, Alta., a job she known as her “dream job.”

She stated she labored her method as much as a supervisor place and preferred the corporate and its tradition a lot that she deliberate to work there till retirement.

In April 2021, her dream job got here to an finish when she stated she was fired.

“It’s a must to have three writeups to be fired from Starbucks, in order that they did all three directly,” she advised World Information. “One for coming to work sick, one for not following COVID protocols and one for dealing with meals whereas sick.”

Pedersen stated she by no means had COVID-19 and believes her most cancers signs had been mistaken for the signs of the coronavirus.

The most cancers was formally identified a month after she stated she was let go for breaking the corporate’s well being coverage.

The Calgary legislation agency Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has filed a lawsuit towards Starbucks Espresso Canada Inc., on behalf of Pedersen.

“She was unfairly reprimanded as a consequence of signs believed to be COVID-19-related, when in truth it was really blood most cancers,” Pedersen’s stated Aaron Levitin, Pederson’s lawyer.

Pedersen stated she examined for COVID-19 and forwarded the outcomes to her boss in an effort to show she had not been working or dealing with meals whereas symptomatic for the sickness.

“I misplaced all of my advantages,” she stated. “They gave me one week to make use of my well being advantages.”

Pedersen used her week to e book optometry appointments for herself and her three kids.

She stated it was the optometrist who seen a spot on her eye and despatched her for bloodwork.

The assessments had been optimistic for most cancers, and Pedersen maintains the signs she was experiencing, which included a migraine headache and extreme abdomen upset, had been mistaken for COVID-19 signs.

“She did ship an electronic mail notifying them her signs had been associated to most cancers and she or he by no means acquired a response to that communication,” Levitin advised World Information.

Pedersen stated she had plans in place to handle her three children ought to one thing occur to her, however these plans got here to an finish when she was terminated from her place of employment.

“I had a life insurance coverage coverage by way of Starbucks,” she stated. “I’ve misplaced that now and I don’t qualify for a brand new coverage as a result of you need to be cancer-free for 5 years, and my kind of most cancers, there is no such thing as a treatment.”

“Starbucks must make the suitable choice and stand by its place that it’s a conscientious employer that takes care of its companions,” Levitin stated. “It’s a tragic loss for her household. She will now not qualify for all times insurance coverage.”

Pedersen’s future is unsure and this lawsuit is prone to take years to make its method by way of the courtroom system.

“It could be wonderful if Lisa may spend this time along with her household and deal with recovering and never be concerned in ongoing litigation with a behemoth,” Levitin stated. “Sadly, that’s the place that Lisa finds herself in.”

The assertion of declare has been filed however no assertion of defence has been filed so far by Starbucks in response to Pedersen’s lawsuit.

Not one of the allegations have been confirmed in courtroom.

World Information reached out to a media consultant for Starbucks Canada, however on the time of publication, had not acquired a response to our request.

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