icon
Home icon

Home

Jobs icon

Jobs

Reviews icon

Reviews

Network icon

Network

Resources icon

Resources

|For Employers icon

For Employers

logo
about
careers
FAQs
privacy policyterms & conditionsfor employers
112k
20k
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
My ProfileMy MessagesMy NetworkMy SettingsGroupsEventsMy PostsLog Out
Mystery Woman
Tell us more for better jobs, advice
and connections
YOUR GROUPS
Discover and join groups with like-minded women who share your interests, profession, and lifestyle.
COMPANIES YOU FOLLOW
Get alerted when there are new employee reviews.
YOUR JOB ALERTS
Get notified when new jobs are posted.
Your post is published!
Anonymous
02/17/20 at 2:30PM UTC
in
Career

Retaliation, discrimination, both, or neither?

I recently left a job that I felt was discriminatory and hostile. I was at the company for a year, originally starting out as a Temp employee for 40 hours per week, and then moved to a permanent part-time employee (part-time was at my request due to me trying to start a side business) in August. The company created a brand new position for me in Software Support. I was a great worker, and did everything I was asked to do, even going over above in many cases. My pay was not great, but I wanted to get specific work experience with a Manufacturing ERP that they used, which is why I agreed to stay on. As per my job description, I made numerous suggestions for process improvements (most of which went ignored by my manager). When I moved to a company employee, the HR person never sent out the announcement, although she did so for everyone else, I just figured she overlooked it. I was asked to cover for someone who was going to be out on medical leave for 3 months, and I welcome the opportunity to learn a new function. I questioned HR as to whether I would receive a bump in pay for the time I was taking on new responsibilities, The HR person told me that due to the size of the company, their company policy was they don't do that. I didn't balk - I just thanked her for letting me know the company policy. Once I was training for the new function, my list of what I would be responsible for kept growing, so I asked for a meeting with my manager and the other dept manager, and that other manager declined (my manager accepted). The other manager indicated that "if I have a problem with the way his department is run, I should speak with him directly". I respectfully disagreed with him and told him that my manager should be involved in the discussion. That other manager immediately fired me from the position. When I asked for help from the HR person to see if she could help me repair bridges with that other manager, I was told "The Department has decided to go in a different direction so your help is no longer needed". She did not offer to help me with the situation and the other manager. Back in August, right after I took on my new role, I asked my manager if I could go full time or at least pick up more hours, as I needed more money, as my side business got derailed when my father in law died from cancer. His answer was something along the lines of "we will see". A few weeks later, I emailed him about whether they had a full time opportunity for me, and he never replied. I reported safety concerns about the Receptionist role in November (I was their receptionist 1 day per week), and made some suggestions for improvements. I sent this to our Safety Team manager and my manager. The Safety Manager's response was " I’m not certain that your 1) and 2) below are very good ideas however, I don’t think it is 100% up to me. I will bring both points up at our next staff meeting with the management team which won’t be until after the new year." I never heard another word and no changes were made. Instead, what happened was that my boss stuck me up at the front desk for 4 days per week when the primary receptionist retired (which she had given notice of to our manager no less than 6 months prior) - in spite of my safety concerns. Also, when my position was "created", there was no job description and no goals, no expectations set forth for it. I had to ask HR and my manager several times for a job description, finally got one - have completed - several months later. Also, I had to ask for a performance review - which I never received. I did not get goals - that discussion was supposed to take place mid-December, and it never did. I gave my two week notice after receiving this email from my boss at 6:25 am on the first day of the other receptionist's retirement: Good news is HR is settling up two interviews for the receptionist position. Bad news the three of you have to cover the front desk until a new employee is hired. Lori will cover the front desk Monday through Friday. **** and **** will cover the front desk on Fridays. After we get thru the accounting review and 401k audit and tax returns we will adjust the coverage". I have been unable to work a few days afterward, due to having pneumonia and bronchitis, but my plan was to go back to work on Feb 7 and finish out my last few days. When I got to work, I found out that a large number of people had been out sick with a stomach flu while I was away, but they were all forced to come back to work on the Friday prior for "Mandatory overtime". Since my immune system was already compromised, I left at noon. The HR person sent me an email indicated that my resignation had been accepted and my job was over. No need to return. I went on LinkedIn to find that my position had been posted a few hours prior, and it was a FULL TIME role. To make matters more interesting, our previous receptionist had a stalker who would leave vulgar and threatening messages on the general voice mail box. The company simply recorded those messages for her so in case she had to go to the police, she had those recordings. The company did not file a complaint with the police. The reason I had raised my safety concerns in November was that I had picked up one of his messages on voice mail, and since our front doors did not have locks, I was concerned for my safety, should he come barging in the office. Additionally, any one off the street could walk in to the front office, and we had random visitors daily. Last Monday, which turned out to be my last day, that person left another vulgar message, which I reported to HR, my manager, and IT. I was told that he had made a copy of it and that I could delete it. That, coupled with my exposure to the flu, just made me so glad that Monday was my last day. I have since had some email exchanges with HR that were disappointing. Lastly, this HR person, on 2 occasions that I witnessed, disclosed HIPAA-protected information about one employee, one via email, and during the second occasion, she discussed an employee's health information with another employee right in front of me. I am glad to be out of there. I set up a discussion with the EEOC for June. I'm wondering if I should also contact an attorney, Department of Workforce Development, and/or the Unemployment office? Also, am I wrong in thinking that not only was I in a hostile work environment, but that I was also constructively discharged. I am in Wisconsin, if that matters. Any thoughts or feedback are appreciated!

Share

Join the conversation...
Anonymous
02/19/20 at 7:12PM UTC
It's certainly frustrating when your employer is unclear about expectations and takes advantage of your need to have a job. You sound like the sort of person who wants a well-defined role and where your contributions will be valued. However, let me play devil's advocate a moment, and suggest that as the company was aware you were starting your own business, it would be a little hard to expect them to treat you with the same deference they might show to an employee that is fully committed to the company.
Anonymous
02/19/20 at 4:33PM UTC
I had a similar experience with a former employer. I called my dad to tell him what had happened, and he advised me to immediately call our attorney as soon as I got home. I called the attorney as soon as I got home, however, I had to leave a voice mail for him. I talked to my attorney the next day, and he told me to immediately file with the EEOC and file for unemployment right away as well. Going to meet with an attorney can help you know what to expect as you go through the process with your complaint to the EEOC. I eventually settled with my former employer, which allowed me to have enough for a couple of months of living expenses and enough money to start my own business. I have permanent ankle problems, because the managers at my former employer refused to let me seek medical care; and I now walk with a permanent limp and can't stand for more than 45 to 60 minutes at a time without encountering significant ankle pain and swelling. I settled for a lot less than I could have eventually gotten if I decided not to settle the first round of negotiations with the EEOC, however, I just wanted to be done with it and put the whole experience behind me. Also, I was concerned that the company was in financial trouble, so I didn't want to risk with potentially ending up with nothing. Whatever you decide to do or not do, is always your choice. However, meeting with an attorney before you meet with the EEOC will allow the attorney to help you determine how much your case may be worth, and he or she can also advise you on the minimum amount that they'd accept in a settlement.
Kathryn Gearhart
star-svg
33
02/19/20 at 4:04PM UTC
I worked for the Michigan developmental disability council. The director routinely made fun of disabled people. When I commented that I had a problem with her comments, I was black balled. I found out that numerous previous executive assistants quit and it was basically a revolving door. I was written up for not having something done by a deadline even though it was because I was sent to a white privilege conference for 4 days, was sick for 2 days and was sent home for 1 day because she refused to accept my podiatrists medical statement regarding my shoes. I too went to HR and EEOC but bottom line is for your health and safety, sometimes it's just better to leave and not look back.
Jennifer Finger
star-svg
621
Thinking with both sides of my brain!
02/19/20 at 3:19PM UTC
You are certainly best out of there. This organization made that clear from the moment you became a permanent employee. It doesn't sound like anything that went wrong for you was your fault.
Ruth A. Ford, PHR
star-svg
397
HR guru/EEO Specialist
02/18/20 at 9:15PM UTC (Edited)
So, two things that kind of stick out to me -- First, you sound like a good employee who landed at an organization that maybe wasn't a good fit for you culture-wise. Second, it sounds like the organization is a bit disjointed and unorganized, but I'm not hearing anything that sounds like a pattern of discrimination or unfair treatment due to your membership in a protected class. Sometimes, you're just not a good fit - and it doesn't mean you did anything wrong or you're unqualified or a bad employee. Just chalk it up to experience and be glad you didn't invest more time there. Onward!
Kathy Paris Thomas
star-svg
16
02/20/20 at 2:38PM UTC
and sometimes we just so not fit their "politically oriented" ( clicky) atmosphere
Ruth A. Ford, PHR
star-svg
397
HR guru/EEO Specialist
02/20/20 at 3:23PM UTC
Yes...and most of us have probably been there, I'm sure! One time, I was sitting in a job interview, listening to the hiring manager speak, and I started thinking, "oh boy, this doesn't sound like the right fit for me." I got the job and then found myself sitting in a 2 week training class, thinking - you guessed it - "yikes, this doesn't sound like the right place for me." I resigned a few weeks later and went back to the drawing board with my job search. Happens to the best of us, lol! :-)
Lori Caso
star-svg
394
PR Person + Cooking Show Host + Mom
02/17/20 at 5:08PM UTC
Sounds like you are better off out of that office! Myself, I would put more energy into finding a new job than trying to get justification from this one...

You're invited.

See what women are sharing on Fairygodboss.
What's new today
wand-button
Personalize your jobs
Get recommendations for recent and relevant jobs.
Employer Reviews
Uber
3.7
Working here is awesome, gives you the opportunity to grow...
Uber
3.7
Inclusion & equity policies at Uber include a focus on...
Recent Content
Authentic Leadership: Lessons Learned at X
How to Deal With a New Boss and Navigate Changing Leadership
You Don’t Need to Be Loud to Succeed! How I’ve Grown in STEM By Cultivating a Thoughtful Presence
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
  • about
  • careers
  • FAQs
  • privacy policy
  • terms & conditions
112k
20k