Serious question here.

Anonymous

May 1,2023 at 1:56PM UTC

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Serious question here. A co-worker left his merit document out by accident. I looked at it, and felt under achieved. I do more work behind him, an including my own work. I've been with the company 20+ years, and he has barely 7 mts experience. Jobs don't move in the department when he test the products. He merited double of what I got. I decided to send a letter to Manager an Supervisor, detailing my jobs, what I've accomplished, and what I still do. I requested an additional pay increase. To my surprise, I was called to the office, and verbally berated. They wanted to know how did I find out his info, who did i share with, why this, why that. I was later during the meeting written up. For sending email regarding horseplay, written up for not calling supervisor when I took off, and written up for not following chain of command when the shop was closed. It was a safety issue to have 2 people in the plant and the lead people clearly stated they wouldn't be in the building. I follow chain of command, and so did the lead man when he tried calling the manager. What am I supposed to do now? I feel they retaliated against me, when all they had to do was say no to the pay increase.

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AnonymousMay 1,2023 at 2:34PM UTC
This MIGHT be a case of ageism.
Twenty years and they are being petty and stupid??!!
I have a feeling they knew your credentials and overlooked them on purpose. But you shouldn't have been berated. A simple "no" would sufficed, as you mentioned
AnonymousMay 1,2023 at 3:07PM UTC
This is why people don't stay at a single company for more than 5 years.
He will always be viewed as more valuable.
Unfortunately the company's value perception is what it is. For you to compare yourself to another worker was viewed negatively and unprofessional. All you needed to do was keep the focus on your contribution alone. What you saw was viewed as confidential information and a violation.
If you are reporting "safety" violations etc has now labeled you as a someone who is to be isolated. The balance of the writeups are an attempt to create a paper trail documenting your lapses in judgement and noncompliance.
I'm afraid that they may be looking to fire you. You are no longer a fit and are niw viewed negatively.
I would use your time to update your resume and start looking for a new job.
BeaBoss979975May 1,2023 at 3:59PM UTC
Report the safety violations to OSHA. The life you save might be your own.
AnonymousMay 1,2023 at 3:11PM UTC
I feel that the part that should concern you is " I was later during the meeting written up.". They documented that you did something wrong. You may be put on a performance improvement plan with the plan to get you out. Perhaps you should talk to the union steward if you are part of a union. You may also want to start looking into other employment since there was a write-up as well.
AnonymousMay 1,2023 at 4:28PM UTC
Ask an employment attorney -- ASAP! Your life will not get better, only worse, and you may have a good case for a lawsuit.
If you can just get out without the hassle of a lawsuit, do so as soon as you can. Keep your head down, document EVERYTHING (and if it's a one-party consent state, secretly record conversations). The higher ups have shown you who they are. Believe them.
AnonymousMay 1,2023 at 4:42PM UTC
Sadly, I think this was a case of "keep your eyes on your own paper".
I also feel the collugeue should have kept his paperwork hidden as well. Unfortunately, though - management didn't see it this way as they had an agenda of sorts. (One I disagree with)
I'd assume that now you are on their radar in a negative way; time to polish the resume. It a shame too - YOU DESERVE BETTER after 20 years!!
AnonymousMay 1,2023 at 4:42PM UTC
Sadly, I feel like this was a case of "keep your eyes on your own paper".
I also feel the collugeue should have kept his paperwork hidden as well. Unfortunately, though - management didn't see it this way as they had an agenda of sorts. (One I disagree with)
I'd feel that now you are on their radar in a negative way; time to polish the resume. It a shame too - YOU DESERVE BETTER after 20 years!!
AnonymousMay 1,2023 at 6:16PM UTC
Unfortunately, as a long term employee, you make a connection of long term employment with deserved raise/bonus.
The bottom line is your leadership does not see your contribution as valuable.
Taking it a step further, you used another coworker's compensation as a metric to support your request for additional compensation. Again, leadership does not view you as anywhere near equals....regardless of your assessment.
Couple all this with an unprofessional use of private information, repeatedly reporting violations etc and your leadership now wants to build a case against you and your behavior.
I'm sorry but it's time to move on.
AnonymousMay 1,2023 at 8:55PM UTC
You hit the nail on the head with this.
KarenMay 1,2023 at 7:59PM UTC
Take your self-respect and go somewhere else where you will be rewarded monetarily for the work product you provide. Now is a great time to get a new job as wages have increased. Best to you as you venture out and away from this toxic work environment.
AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 10:53AM UTC
First, 'left his merit document out', you chose to look, not by accident though. I get the disparage of feeling underpaid with a junior making more. I would have encouraged you to approach this different than a letter at first. I would have aligned your responsibilities with the coworker (without showing your hand in the beginning) and have the talk about a new ask. As insensitive the coworker was not making sure to not leave that out, it's all about approach after that for you. Depending upon how you presented that letter is probably where the struggle starts for the leaders. You shouldn't have brought up their letter until turned down for an improved merit. I would have liked for them to answer the whys, but starting in a corner working yourself out of that is hardly ever successful. Your write ups reasons, do they go against policy and procedures? If so, that's not retaliation. It may feel like an adverse action, but policy is in place. Do you feel targeted, probably, sadly. Berated? Take to the HR rep or legal rep with documentation all you mentioned. Any witnesses? note those. I would not mention you reading their merit document, that is against any company practice. Even if it was accidental.
Dcre1977May 2,2023 at 1:45PM UTC
Its against practice for you to show someone elses documents, its not against practice for you to leave out your own document and not guard it from others reading it. The coworker did nothing insensitive.
It is retaliation if she was not written up until after she pointed out the descrepancy in pay. Any competant HR person would recognize this as looking retalitory in nature, particularly if she has mo write ups previously.
AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 2:10PM UTC
I think there's too much grey area with what was shared. Any 'competent' HR would investigate before jumping to conclusions. Reading that document was on the reader and poor practice of that employee to not protect it.
AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 7:11PM UTC
Totally agree with this. HR is really not competent, and does side with Management. Theres the good and bad with this. I can retire at 65, but don't want to be forced out at 63. Was hoping I could stay under the radar for 2 more years.
Dcre1977May 3,2023 at 8:24PM UTC
Why? Not everyone thinks their pay should be confidential.
AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 7:07PM UTC
This company the HR protects the managers, work hand in hand with them. They don't look out for the employee. I did the daunting task of preparing a letter to the compliance line. They are an independent source of communication, and will forward my complaint to the proper folks for investigation. "Supposedly" They don't tolerate retaliation, discrimination and any type of foolishness. Granted my approach was wrong, and I shouldn't have mentioned the letter, but I saw what I saw. I played my hand too soon, and should have came to this platform for advice before sending my letter. But as far as what they wrote me up for? They are all lies. They didn't bother to investigate before accusing me of not following chain of command. I have receipts and witnesses. I was actually thinking of hiring an attorney. I have been here longer than all of them, and I refuse to be muscled out by new management. Unexperienced management at that.
AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 8:19PM UTC
A lot of harshness. I would encourage you all who hate on HR and be in their shoes for just a day. You have employees complaining about 'they're looking at me' and 'they didn't include me in the lunch order when asked to the group' and here's a ROCKSTAR moment ' the employee was mad at me so they shared that my boyfriend is proposing and now I'm not gonna help him make it a surprise". Everyone has their pov, showing kindness to positions you may not understand the full scope of with being empathetic may serve you well. The topic at hand, after reading the post, yes, it could be retaliation and that sucks. Yes, that employee should have not left out that paper - that sucks. How we, as human beings, decide to approach concerns is all on us. When we react and not respond, it's rarely a win win. Now, after reading this novelette of notes, I hope that you find solace in your next steps. I think we can all learn from others here and to identify how different our povs are and can be when we bring discussion to the table. We have our own bias in where we are coming from, but what I can tell you, is that kindness is free, mistakes happen , and we all have not handled things perfectly. good luck on your next move, wishing you joy.
AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 1:22PM UTC
What you describe here is precisely why a tenure of 20+ years is rare anymore. In the way that the job market has been for most of my life, new employees demand higher wages/salaries than existing employees require raises to stay. It is not uncommon for new employees to be paid more than existing ones, even (sometimes) their supervisors. Now that your actions cannot be undone, it is hard to say the best way to escape them. It happened to me early in my career, and rather than demand they do something about it because I knew I couldn't use my knowledge, I started looking for a new job. I hope things work out for you, whatever you choose to do about it.
Dcre1977May 2,2023 at 1:41PM UTC
You were written up so they could have a trail to prove you do not deserve a merit increase so the reason isn't descriminatory. Keep a copy of your email and previous evaluations, as well as any written documentation from coworkers or management praising you. Then start looking for a place where you will be appreciated.
DeborahORellMay 3,2023 at 12:16PM UTC
The biggest question for you is WHY do you believe you were paid less than this man? Let's say it's your gender. or age. If everything is equal... you have same education, same experience, same work.. then this makes their behavior illegal It's discriminatory. then You complained. Good. But i'm guessing you didn't give the reason WHY. If you had, and you experienced any negative response (like you did) that action can be considered retaliation.
If you did not make a civil rights complaint ie said this is because of my age, race, gender, etc. then they may be able to pay differently. but it does sound suspicious. also It is not against the law to discuss salary or compensation with coworkers. So if they give you a hard time, that may be a violation.
You may want to reach out to a qualified employment discrimination lawyer to see what leverage you have under the law.
Joycelyn M. SiameMay 3,2023 at 1:00PM UTC
I believe you 100% and do feel like you are in a toxic place and need to leave ASAP. However... one mistake you did make was commenting on your co-worker's merit document and admitting you looked at it, which can be seen as snooping, which is a no-no. It's similar to looking through your significant other's phone just because it was there, unlocked. Please be careful with things like this going forward; it may come back to bite you...
Dawn GabrielMay 3,2023 at 4:06PM UTC
These google bard comments are not super helpful.
AnonymousMay 3,2023 at 8:28PM UTC
I agree. No way he left that out on accident. My co workers have done the same and I never look. Then they will just tell you what their raises and reviews are.
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 1:08PM UTC
They’re mad because salary information was shared and they hate that. It’s not illegal but I know my workplace has a “policy” about that. New workers are hired at same or often better rate than longtime workers. This person may not actually be performing better than you but they are definitely newer. Possibly when hired they discussed getting them up to a certain $$ amount and the way to do that was through the next merit increase.
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 7:55PM UTC
It gets better. They are grooming him to be lead person. And I've been in this situation before where I was forced to train someone to rule me. When I became somewhat defiant, work slowed down and I was laid off. I got EEOC involved, won my case and got back pay. Not ready to do this fight again, and I will walk if and when it happens.
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 10:06PM UTC
Ah, sorry to hear of that. Extremely frustrating to be forced to "train" someone to be your supervisor. I hope you find a good resolution without having to fight so hard.