Don Comstock claims he was fired from Nexteer Automotive for taking off too much time when his wife died to care for their five children.
SAGINAW CO. -- Update: August 11th
Nexteer officials say the've decided to "make an exception to contractual policy" and rehire Don Comstock. The following is the official statement from Luis Canales, global director, external affairs at Nexteer:
A Nexteer Automotive employee said he was fired, because he took too much time off of work after his wife died in order to care for his five children.
Don Comstock's wife, Amy, died May 21st in Florida after someone ran a red light and hit her car.
The tragedy shook Don and his children tremendously. So, he decided that he needed more than the 30-days off that Nexteer gives employees in order to line up a school for his five children and process paperwork.
"I went through protocol, asked for the time off, then you're granted 30 days. After that, you have to ask for additional time off, which I did two weeks into my 30 days. I called my boss and he assured me he'd get a hold of his boss and trying to get this straightened out. It just never happened," Comstock told NBC25 Wednesday afternoon.
Two weeks after Comstock went back to work, he was notified that his employment with the company was being terminated.
He says the UAW Local 699 is working on getting his job back.
In the meantime, he's set up a benefit for his children. It will be held at First Baptist Church in Bridgeport on August 20th from 12:00 p.m. To 4:00 p.m.
NBC25 has left messages with Nexteer, but has not heard back yet.
This story has outraged many on the NBC25 Facebook page. Here's a look at some of the comments we've received.
We want to know your reaction to this story. How much time do you think should be allowed for bereavement of an immediate family member?
