What do you do when your boss is the CEO, and he's a bully who puts you down and calls you names?
I moved 2,000 miles to take this position with a family-owned company, and I'm absolutely miserable here. I've made it a year, but I simply can't stay here in this toxic environment. How do I start over? Do I sue for my moving expenses?
Anonymous
10/13/21 at 2:03AM UTC
Family owned company. Ugh. That is not a selling point for me.
I've never worked at companies where people treated each other worse, or were treated worse by management, than at family owned companies. Never again.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.99k
10/13/21 at 2:01AM UTC
Can you please explain what you mean about suing for your moving expenses?
Did the company pay your moving expenses? Did you pay your own moving expenses?
Kari Fletcher
16
10/15/21 at 2:50PM UTC
The company paid a lump sum bonus, that was subject to taxes, and which covered less than half of my actual move expenses. Now, with this job so miserable, I want to move back home to NY. What do you think?
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.99k
10/15/21 at 6:05PM UTC
No matter if they paid you a bonus or paid your actual moving expenses, it would be taxable:
"The short answer is “yes”. Relocation expenses for employees paid by an employer (aside from BVO/GBO homesale programs) are all considered taxable income to the employee by the IRS and state authorities (and by local governments that levy an income tax)."
How you used that bonus to pay for your moving expenses is your business. That it covered part or all of your moving expenses was up to you.
I'm no lawyer, but I don't think you'd have a leg to stand on trying to sue.
Peg Bittnerretired auditor now into volunteering
626
10/13/21 at 1:56AM UTC
It doesn't matter if your boss is CEO, owner, or any other title. No one no matter what title is hooked onto their name is permitted to treat any other person by, degrading, sexually harrass, and any other form of abuse. No one has a free pass to do so. You find yourself an attorney, gather all your evidence, and witnesses, and get yourself a new job. You physical and mental health is way more important than the boss's title. When each person enters that building for the first time, they all enter without a title, just their name, Then they earn their titles, When they leave the building, the title stays behind and the person along with their name leave. His title only counts at work. Your name and diginity lasts forever. Get it back.
Kari Fletcher
16
10/15/21 at 2:51PM UTC
Thank you so much Peg. This was very helpful.
Anonymous
10
10/13/21 at 1:23AM UTC
Oh you go after the owner. Your atty can, in most cases get them to settle. You won't need to communicate with them. Don't leave that on the table. This can qualify as wrongful termination. Meaning conditions are so intolerable, physically and mentally damaging,, that it is impacting tour health and wellbeing. It makes it impossible for you to continue your employment. Your atty can include atty fees as well. Your settlement isn't just for moving expenses. You go after them for the annual salaries and benefits you expected, plus punitive damages for harassment. Your atty will give you a reasonable amt. They will start high and the owner's atty will negotiate. You can still leave, but don't leave that on the table. Make that jerk pay.
Anonymous
10/15/21 at 3:27PM UTC
Please don't give legal advice unless you are an attorney. Every single situation is different and no attorney worth their salt is going to tell a stranger on the internet that, based on the content of one anonymous post, how a civil suit will play out. Signed, An Attorney.
Anonymous
10/17/21 at 4:14AM UTC
Respectfully, I agree. The point, was to seek an attorney, that can handle, this matter, if at all possible. To not just let it go without doing so. However, as you are an atty, I do respect your legal knowledge on that matter. Mine, from an employee's point of view only.
Anonymous
10/17/21 at 4:11PM UTC
Thank you for understanding. Nothing, and i cannot stress this enough, NOTHING is more important to me than ending economic exploitation. This begins with education and helping workers understand what their rights are in a system that was designed to support oppressive, capitalistic constructs.
I did respond to the OP below and encouraged them to speak with an attorney for the very reasons you mentioned, just without using such definitive terms as to what the employer *will* do or what the attorney *will* be able to recover. I'm actually not confident that the OP has a strong case, however there's no way I can determine that just from one post! At any rate, thank you again for understanding.
User deleted comment on 10/12/21 at 7:58PM UTC
Anonymous
10/12/21 at 6:02PM UTC
It's a family business and so that has its own challenges and rules.
Because your CEO actually is an owner , he basically has free reign on his behavior. They is little you can do unless he breaks the law with his behavior.
Document whatever happens, make sure you only speak to him around witnesses and speak with a labor attorney to see if you have enough to bring a legal claim. Also, have the attorney take a look at your contract to see if there are ways to have your moving expenses reimbursed.
Anonymous
10/12/21 at 5:30PM UTC
I did the exact same thing you did, except that I stuck around for 3 years and spoiler alert: it never got better, if anything it got worse. I pray you're not working for my old boss (kidding but not).
Leave. Quit. Don't give notice. This person doesn't deserve an ounce of professional respect because they clearly don't value it enough to show it. As for as suing goes, I am intimately familiar with the burning desire to get back at an employer who's treated you so poorly, but I don't think you will be successful for several reasons. That said, I don't want to discourage you from talking with an attorney about your options. If you DO have actionable claim against them, there's no reason why you shouldn't pursue whatever you're entitled to.
Anonymous
10/15/21 at 2:53PM UTC
Thank you so much. Your response makes me feel much more validated. I'm going to leave as fast as I can...wish me luck!
Felicia QhamataAccounting Analyst in Houston
87
10/12/21 at 3:57PM UTC
I agree with below you shouldn't sue. If you like where you live now try to find something else in the area so it's not a complete waste of a move. Otherwise, try to find a position that will take you back where you were, but will reimburse moving expenses.
Kathleen
10
10/12/21 at 2:16PM UTC
leave, don’t sue
Anonymous
10/12/21 at 1:59PM UTC
I think the time to have gotten your expenses paid for was when you negotiated the job offer. That ship has sailed. I may be old school, but I'd try to hold out in that role for 1 more year if you can. Spend that time makingp lans and then looking for a new gig. Good luck to you.
User deleted comment on 10/12/21 at 7:59PM UTC
