Boys’ Basketball Coach Fired over FMLA Wants Job Back

The Family Medical Leave Act allows an employee that is eligible for the leave to take it and prohibits employers or businesses from discouraging an employee from taking their leave. If you or someone you work with has been terminated after taking your Family Medical Leave when you are eligible then you should talk to a Tennessee employment and FMLA lawyer as soon as possible.

According to this lawsuit, Bob Lyman stepped down as the boys’ varsity head coach in November of 2011 after learning from his doctor he had a heart arrhythmia. Lyman then planned to work with new head coach Mike Matheson as an assistant, a less demanding role. Bob Lyman filed this lawsuit claiming that the school and the district did not inform him of his rights under the Family Medical Leave Act and did not reinstate him to his job post after he took the medical leave.
According to the claim, Lyman approached School principal Parley Jacobs on Oct. 7, 2011, to inform him of his diagnosis and request a temporary leave. Lyman said he told Jacobs that, according to his physicians, the condition could be cured with medication, diet, and rest and that his recovery would be aided by reducing his stress. Lyman also told the principal he wanted to continue to coach once he was healthy again. Lyman asked the principal to name an assistant as interim coach for the 2011-12 season, but Jacobs refused and said the position would have to be opened to applicants. Lyman claims Jacobs did not bring up his rights under FMLA during that meeting. The principal later informed Lyman that FMLA did not apply to coaching positions. Lyman gave Jacobs an official letter resigning as head coach in October. In January, Lyman was cleared by doctors as having a clean bill of health and he requested reinstatement from Jacobs. Jacobs informed Lyman that coaching jobs aren’t covered by the act and according to district policy; he would not be given his job post back. Jason Olsen, school district spokesman, declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Cases just like this happen to Tennessee employees as well as employees across the United States. If you or someone you work with feels that your employer or business has interfered with your right to take FMLA leave, then we strongly recommend that you contact one of our caring and experienced Tennessee employment and FMLA attorneys immediately. We will work with you to make sure you get the compensation that you deserve.