Personal Story of Employment and Hardship

Background

• First Video Post: The speaker is posting their story on TikTok for the first time.
• Employment at Patagonia:
  • Started a job at Patagonia last year.
  • Describes it as a great place with friendly environment.
  • Company promotes environmental sustainability.
  • Offers a $3/day stipend for employees using public transport or bicycles.

Incident Leading to Injury

• Electric Scooter:
  • Speaker purchased an electric scooter to commute to work.
  • Enjoyed the scenic route along the Truckee River.
• Accident:
  • Had an accident, hitting a pothole at 30 mph.
  • Broke leg, required surgery.
  • Hospitalized and bedridden, on pain medication.

Challenges with Employment and Medical Leave

• HR and FMLA Issues:
  • Contacted HR about injury and surgery.
  • Instructed to apply for FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) for paid medical leave.
  • Encountered difficulty with paperwork and fees.
• Employment Duration Issue:
  • HR later informed speaker needed 1 year of employment to qualify for paid leave (only employed for 8 months).
  • Advised to apply for unpaid medical leave instead.

Unexpected Job Termination

• Resignation Confusion:
  • Received notice of "voluntary resignation," which was not initiated by the speaker.
  • Tried to apply for unpaid medical leave but received no response.
• Company Policy:
  • Queried why unpaid vacation time couldn’t be used (option was available due to seasonal slow period).

Personal Struggles

• Eviction and Homelessness:
  • Evicted due to lack of income.
  • Spent a week in a homeless shelter, then evicted again after an altercation.
• Temporary Help:
  • Father, a tech specialist, provided short-term motel stay.
  • Father now ill and unable to continue financial support.

Medical and Legal Struggles

• Health and Disability:
  • Applied for disability, which was denied.
  • Leg not properly healed; unable to walk properly.
  • Applied for Medicaid but needs income urgently.
• Potential Legal Action:
  • Attempted to seek legal action against Patagonia; no success in finding a lawyer.
  • Appeal in disability case could take years.

Current Situation and Appeal for Help

• Immediate Needs:
  • Facing homelessness as motel support ends.
  • No resources like a sleeping bag or tent.
  • Cold weather in Reno is a concern.
• Seeking Suggestions:
  • Open to any advice or suggestions from the public.
  • Lacks computer access, impacting ability to apply for jobs, especially remote work.

Conclusion

• The speaker is in dire need of assistance and open to suggestions to navigate their current hardship.