Hello everyone.I have worked for this company for almost 5 years.

Sonya Beaty

March 16,2023 at 8:57PM UTC

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Hello everyone.I have worked for this company for almost 5 years. I am a hard worker. I work between 70 to 80 hours every week. I was a boss for this past year. I recently got 2 new bosses and they have either fired , demoted, or moved all the workers and bosses . I was the last one till this week. You see I worked with chickens. When these bosses took over they wanted to change everything. Which ended up putting 26000 chickens into one house suited for 4000 chickens for 8 weeks. . Needless to say we lost thousands of chickens. Now everyone who had anything to do with this is gone. They accused me of having my phone in house and fired me . They demoted a man for same reason 2 weeks ago. My boss of four years seen what was going on stepped down from manager to level one transferred out before she got fired. I dont know what to do. I am in shock.I am 58 yrs old . Jobless and too old to start all over. I want to report them but dont know how. Please advise

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Michelle ToborowskyMarch 16,2023 at 10:01PM UTC
Report them to the Board of health maybe? And apply for unemployment.
AnonymousMarch 16,2023 at 10:26PM UTC
Who regulates your industry? I would start there. Next I would speak with your state's labor department to find out how to file a claim based on unlawful termination. If they are not of help find a labor attorney. Your consultation is usually free. The attorney can advise you what your best course of action is
Hang in there.
AnonymousMarch 17,2023 at 2:08PM UTC
File for unemployment with your state's Department of Labor. When you file (preferably in person), ask them this question. They know the boundaries of wrongful termination in your state and can get you in touch with the appropriate authorities mentioned by others. BTW, firing you while demoting a man reeks of gender discrimination. They also should have some good resources for finding new employment, including options for training for new/different careers. Most also have seminars and coaches to help you with resumes and interviewing skills if it's been a while since you've had to look for a job.
AnonymousMarch 17,2023 at 5:36PM UTC
In addition to contacting your state's Dept. of Labor, you should also report this employer to the Humane Society (HSUS) and United Poultry Concerns (UPC) in Virginia who protects against the cruelty of chickens and other domestic fowl.
AnonymousMarch 19,2023 at 1:13PM UTC
I lost you after I read 70 80 hours. You deserve better. Ask the tough questions. Can you get a lawyer? I’m so sorry you are in this situation
1. do you want to continue to stay in this environment ?
2. whats your payoff if you continue stay? What are you getting out of staying in this environment?
3. I’m 60 and I’m starting over. I got laid off 2 years ago. Still trying to land somewhere.
4. update LinkedIn, write you study, write your resume. I totally understand fear.
AnonymousMarch 20,2023 at 12:41PM UTC
Same boat here. Look, starting over doesn’t have to mean dragging out the 20 year old interview suit. I’ve seen lots of women rediscover a new career in their 40s and 60s. In this case, I believe Sonya is entitled to benefits because it appears that she was fired for witnessing malfeasance. I would advise to take a breath, get to a good place mentally so it is all clear, and go after these people in court. When I think back over price hikes and shortages over the past few years of chicken and eggs, this makes me mad.
Sonya BeatyMarch 19,2023 at 10:46PM UTC
Thanks everybody for the great advice. I am going to department of labor first thing in the morning. My son works for this company too. He got notified Friday he was being moved to my farm which terrifies me that he is next. I am going to try to find out how to stop this. I feel so helpless.
AnonymousMarch 19,2023 at 11:53PM UTC
Contact the EEOC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in your state. Just google it. You can talk to a live person and they can tell you if you have a case. The call is anonymous.
cliffMarch 20,2023 at 12:31PM UTC
file a complaint with MCAD,ASAP...https://www.mass.gov/decision-tree/check-your-eligibility-to-file-a-discrimination-complaint
MCAD Will do a double filing with EEOC FOR YOU...this is free.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/overview-of-types-of-discrimination-in-massachusetts
age discrimination...https://www.mass.gov/service-details/age-discrimination-in-the-workplace
calmly gather your thoughts, write everything down to clarify your complaint.
File for unemployment benefits today...https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-unemployment-benefits
https://www.mass.gov/doc/anti-retaliation-fact-sheet/download
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/workers-right-to-sue
ElizabethMarch 20,2023 at 12:42PM UTC
As a fellow chicken/agriculture woman I feel this pain. I am sorry you have been treated this way and are unsure of your next steps. Our industry is facing extreme changes at this moment (I.e. Tyson is currently shutting down two separate plants for, in my opinion, no good reason) and it’s not looking good.
My advice would be to update your resume, LinkedIn, Indeed, whatever else you can think of. Apply for unemployment. File a complaint with EEOC and BBB. Then also contact USDA and your states’ veterinary board for the welfare and health concerns with the chickens.
Agriculture is a hard place for women and I have the utmost respect for those trying to make it a better place. Best of luck.
AnonymousMarch 20,2023 at 1:23PM UTC
I suffered the same fate in July 2021. New Heads and then took the power.
I hate to tell you I was in such a state of shock for so long and still nowhere near the person I was.
My name is advice is be very careful who you trust or confide in and collect as much evidence as you can because “some” will throw you under the bus very quickly to save their own necks. I hope you understand this.
Shauna BensleyMarch 20,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
- My advice is....
sorry my phone has a kind of it's own
Dcre1977March 20,2023 at 2:05PM UTC
You are not too old to start over! Evaluate your skills to determine what can be pivoted to a new role. During interviews, simply say the chicken industry is going through a downturn due to bird flu and you decided to take the opportunity to pivot to a new industry.
I know you are in a scary place, but try to stay positive!
Jacqueline CutlerMarch 20,2023 at 2:35PM UTC
Hi,
I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope you can take even a few days to just recover and regroup. You are not too old to get another job.
As to your question about reporting them, it sounds as if the chickens are part of food production, and what they did has to be against government standards. I don't know if you are US-based, but if so, here is a link to the government agency that oversees safety in food production: https://www.foodsafety.gov/about#:~:text=Food%20Safety%20and%20Inspection%20Service%3A%20FSIS%20is%20the%20public%20health,and%20properly%20labeled%20and%20packaged.
Vanda LeeMarch 20,2023 at 2:55PM UTC
Not sure which poultry company you farm under or where you are located but my family has poultry under the Aviagen poultry company and they are building barns all around our area in the south. Might be worth a look.
AnonymousMarch 20,2023 at 3:56PM UTC
This is what I love about the fairygodboss discussion group. You turned to the right group for advise. The working conditions you were in and the state of the chicken farm is horrendous! I think everyone answering your post is outraged. You received a lot of great advice from women in all different backgrounds. Follow their advice and take action! As starting point apply for unemployment today!
Khahali BikssMarch 20,2023 at 5:36PM UTC
Never give up. GOD will help you. The intercession of Mary may be with you.
cliffMarch 20,2023 at 6:14PM UTC
https://drlescarter.com/....the videos might help
Patricia EstabrookMarch 20,2023 at 8:21PM UTC
I am so sorry that you lost your job. In today's labor market you will find another, and I hope with a more ethical company. I know that we are discussing chickens here, but do consider reporting them for their cruel actions to animals. Good luck and please get some rest, you deserve it.
David PageMarch 21,2023 at 1:32AM UTC
Don't know where U are from but if U have a labour union or fair work department I would be moving for unfair dismissal. If permanent or part time would make it easier as with casuals U don't have as many rights.
SUZANNE SWANSONMarch 21,2023 at 2:06AM UTC
I hope you can report them! That is terrible for those chickens!
IntentionGirl299847March 21,2023 at 9:30PM UTC
What's your age have to do with anything? I am 66 and walked out of a job last July and landed a better one in August. Believe in yourself and your skills! Oh, and turn the company in for cruelty to animals. Splash it all over social media. Its true so it is not slander or libel. They murdered thousands of chickens for nothing. Let's make sure no one buys from these ass hats EVER!
AnonymousMarch 22,2023 at 12:35PM UTC
This company needs to be reported to the USDA. I wouldn't hesitate to that immediately. Particularly because of avian flu. As to your age, at 76, I consider you a youngster. Don't know where you live, but you should be eligible for other positions on other farms. Don't panic, you'll make poor decisions if you do. Just get out there and look. And don't run yourself down. You can be the hero of this story.