No, this isn't about an office party gone awry.  But it is about almost getting it right but not quite enough. Let me give you the short version.  For seven years employee Brown performed well receiving excellent ratings on performance evaluations.  But when she was promoted she made some serious errors that more than embarrassed the employer; they nearly caused significant financial loss. Rather than fire Brown, the employer noted these struggles on Brown's performance appraisal and they delayed her first scheduled raise for six months. Subsequently Brown took 12 weeks of FMLA leave following diagnosis of breast cancer.  Upon her turn the employer provided her with additional training and her work performance in the new job improved.  The following year Brown needed FMLA leave again, this time for a high risk pregnancy. Now here's where the timing comes in.