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Anonymous

06/20/20 at 2:33PM UTC (Edited)

Diversity & Inclusion

Prohibited from Commenting on Work

My company is prohibiting people from saying anything that can be possibly construed as negative about our work. I guess this is to be expected when it comes to its rampant gender discrimination and harassment. But, we are not even allowed to say we are working a lot of hours in writing, as it could reflect negatively on our company’s work life balance (or lack thereof). We were not allowed to talk about coworkers who had or died of covid either, even though it could help us know if we have been exposed. How common is this practice? Are similar things happening at your companies?

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Estephania Solis

Follow me on IG @alkehmia

06/24/20 at 1:15AM UTC

Dear anonymous, I will agree with everyone on this topic! This is a great health concern and in terms of company culture very toxic in the long run. The fact they are not even acknowledging your coworker's deaths only exacerbates the deep roots of grief that loss brings. If you are able to have clarity over the policy do so, in writing preferably and start seeking other job opportunities. Warmly, Estephania

Anonymous

06/23/20 at 4:04PM UTC

Yes, I experienced this at my last job as well and eventually resigned due to the stress and PTSD so I completely sympathize with you. I naively believed that the executives would want to improve the quality of the company's services by improving work conditions for all employees. Not at all! The three highest-paid executives at the top were motivated by their salaries and positions and did everything they could to maintain their status at all costs. They would not tolerate the slightest hint of truth about working conditions. My non-threatening attempts to improve conditions for my team made the execs double down on those same conditions, until all my staff became so intimidated that they buried their heads in the sand and shut up . The bullying became intolerable and I eventually resigned at great personal cost. And by the way, whistleblower protections do NOT protect you at all while you are still in the bad environment, they only give you the right to sue later. You can't sue later unless you have enough money to hire a lawyer who is willing to go up against corporate lawyers.

Anonymous

06/22/20 at 4:08PM UTC

Time to blow the whistle on this company, at least to the local health department. Not only is this not common, it's plain bad business.

Meredith Gelfand

06/22/20 at 3:58PM UTC

Please find a new place to work. These people are toxic.

Anonymous

06/22/20 at 2:54PM UTC

I'm sorry you are going through that right now. I'd be starting to look for another place to work and not look back. The current place you are working at is highly toxic. I used to work at a place that went from being really supportive and helpful, to what you are going through almost overnight. As, soon as this started happening I started updating my skills on my days off, and looking for another job. Eventually, I made the decision to go to work for myself. For me going to work for myself was the best decision I ever made. I'm able to decide who I want to take on as clients without being told no or worse yet telling I have to help someone that treats me badly. Also, I can set my own schedule and work as much or as little as I want to, depending on what current projects I have to work on for my clients. The only drawback is sometimes not getting bad on time by some clients, however, that is why you need to be good with money if you work for yourself and make sure to set enough aside that you can ride through the lean times and come out just fine on the other side when the storm is over.

Changemaker428820

06/22/20 at 2:37PM UTC

First my general rules of thumb for the Internet: If I don’t want my mama reading it or seeing it, I don’t post it. I don’t talk about work or diss people on social media. And many employers have rules about posting on social media. If it’s perceived as negative (no matter innocent you think it is), it can be grounds for termination. HOWEVER, if you believe your employer is NOT following the law, find out which government agency to contact, e.g. the Health Department, State Department of Labor, etc. In California, you can be anonymous, but even so, the agency is required to investigate. They will also talk to you in person. If it’s a really severe violation/potential violation, have your documentation in order.

Melissa Boillot

237

Passionate people leader and business partner

06/22/20 at 2:30PM UTC

Employees have a legal right to air grievances about their working conditions, pay and leadership. There are some limitations on how this is done, and generally shouldn’t be done on company time or with company resources. You can look up more specific information at the NLRB Website.

C. Jane Lake

06/22/20 at 1:48PM UTC

Red flag. If there are things to improve or address, let them be discussed and worked out.

User deleted comment on 06/22/20 at 1:34PM UTC

Anonymous

06/22/20 at 2:35PM UTC

Witnesses! Do not allow yourself to go into those meetings without a NEUTRAL witness! If they have two people from management, find a way to have a peer in there with you who will be a credible witness! Some managers stack the odds against you by always having a witness who will have a very “different” idea of how things went than you did.