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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    1

    Default Retaliation for Complaint at Work

    I am currently employed by a Louisiana co.that I had never had one issue with up until a month or so ago. For the past 1 1/2 years I have been working on one side of the co. but volunteered to go to the other. The department is comprised of all males and has always had a turnover problem due to manager who is still works in dept. but has been demoted. Another female previoulsy had issues with him and she was moved to another dept. It has been public knowledge the demoted manager (DM) was being phased out within a short time and that fact was re-affirmed to me by the Vice Pres., direct Supervisor and HR manager prior to me considering the move. He is difficult and demeans everyone but I knew that I could handle this person until he was phased out with the backup of management which they guaranteed I would have. This new job would require more commitment and responsibility which I didn't have a problem with except as I discussed with management before accepting the job, the fact that my in office work hours would have to remain the same as I could not come in any earlier or stay any later due to my unique situation (military household) which they agreed would not be a problem. The last thing to be discussed was salary and at first it was suggested I make a lateral move which I felt was a bit odd, as the two other men in the department were brought in at a higher pay. So I came back and said that I would love to take the job but could not be expected to take on more responsibility and duty for the same pay as before. The VP proceed to tell me that they were offered to give me 2K more all along then in 6 months another 5K, if my evaluation was good. I found out after the fact that the men already in that department were brought in for more than me but I had already made the move.

    The first 2 days I was placed with the DM who showed me things like how to sign in to a travel website but pretty much nothing else. After two days I asked my supervisor if I could sit with other two guys (#1 & #2) in department and after getting his approval, did so. The DM asked me what I was doing to which I replied I was trying to observe how #1 coordinates his job today and tomorrow I would sit with #2 so I could absorb everyone's routine and develop my own from that. He told me I needed to follow direction and do what I was told which I did that day. That evening I went to my direct supervisor and told him what was going on to which he promised would be addressed the next day. He didn't and things continued on. When I say that I wasn't learning a thing and ask for training/reference manuals/ materials would be told that the nature of the department did not allow that since it was ever changing (crew travel). When I would ask questions typical responses were "it will just come to you" or “eventually you will just know". The DM would make remarks I felt demeaning like "It sure is pink in here" to which my supervisor chimed in by saying "yeah don't you know we like it smelling like ass and feet in here" when I set my area up. The DM also commented on my time more than once - saying I shouldn't be a clock watcher. He would compare my comprehension skills to his 12 year old girl (not in a good way). I again met with my super. about the lack of training and information being given to me and he told me "well you just can't expect to know everything overnight like you did over there (meaning my last dept.)". All along I had been reporting to my HR manager who said just to give it time and that if things did not improve to let him know and he would address it. I was called into an unscheduled meeting with the Pres., VP and my Super. and asked “What is my problem with that department” I reiterated a condensed version of things STILL not being addressed. VP claimed he knew nothing about any of that and that I was supposed to come to my Supervisor with any issues not run to HR. VP and Super. both promised to let me sit with #1 which is what I had been asking to do all along so I could learn something. This never transpired and it makes me feel even more strongly that because I was a woman they weren't concerned. Same routine next Monday, I received no help and so I did the best I could with what I had been able to pull together to that point. I worked through the entire crew change 3 vessels and was done by lunch time. Later that afternoon at 3:55 PM, a snag occurred and one boat had been turned around so all prior arrangements had to be cancelled and rebooked which caused domino effect on another boat too. With no guidance I did what needed to be done and left work at 5:53 that afternoon. Super and DM were both present and aware of what was going on. Super knew I was upset because I had to leave on time but was unable to do so due to situation. Super said to take a bottle of Advil when I got home for my migraine. I was never given the option of doing it remotely as is afforded others in the department which I found out after the fact next day.

    In vocalizing the above concerns I now feel that I have been purposely isolated for doing so. I have been removed from dept. and demoted to doing secretary's filing and errands until her assistant is hired. I also feel Management, specifically VP, has negatively stereotyped me to which our HR manager was witness. He acknowledge problems with DM, I was told to learn to get along or one of us would be gone and it would be me, called me a whiny crybaby who had problems in balancing home and work life which were causing problems at work (????) I reiterated my desire to return to the department if he would just address any future issues, complaints, or concerns that came up. VP coolly responded he couldn’t guarantee that and he didn’t know if he wanted me back in that department because of the friction I caused (which existed well before me) and that he would have to discuss my future with Pres. until which time I would be in what I felt was "detention". When late Friday afternoon rolled around I e-mailed HR manager afternoon asking if he had heard anything regarding me how long I was to linger in limbo.

    I feel that the past weeks openly displayed action of reducing my role within the company to “Asst. to Owner's helper/errand girl” to be a retaliatory reaction to my tattling, whistle blowing of how the Personnel department is so chaotically run and mismanaged. In a period of three weeks (last evaluation) I have gone from a Superior employee (as all my evaluations attest to) to now being “troublemaker” and “friction causer”.

    I have properly followed the chain of command in order to address what has happened thus far including my requesting a one on one with Pres. I met with him very briefly on Monday afternoon at 3:10pm. Our meeting ended at 3:19 pm because he stated he had already heard what was going on and felt there was no need to “rehash” anything. He went on to let me know that he was busy that day and that he employs 8 managers to deal with day to day skirmishes around the company. He stated that he trusted their judgment and backed their decisions 100%. I asked him about my current status and he said that since I chose not to return to personnel (which I never stated and as far as I knew, that decision to "allow me back in the dept was still up to he & VP and I was still waiting their answer) and there were no other positions open (Exec Asst WAS open) I would be allowed to “help” Asst to Owner until an Executive Assistant was hired at which time my services would no longer be needed. He said there was no need to show me any of the duties that the Exec Asst performs because it was just a short matter of time before someone would be hired therefore a waste of his time and mine.

    I really feel my issues and concerns have been dismissed and in turn I am being unfairly reprimanded for voicing them. I have been told I will not be allowed to collect unemployment because this is a voluntary separation nor have I been give a set termination date even though I requested one. I sent an e-mail as a last ditch hope for a positive resolution to this matter and copied all involved including the owner. Friday I only worked half day due to another migraine and was bothered by calls from HR 8 times between 3 and 4 o'clock that afternoon. When I finally was fully awake and returned the call he told me that he has "great" news for me and that I was wanted back at work in that department. I asked how I could go from services no longer needed to being asked back to which he had no answer.

    Now they want me in a meeting with VP and Super. to which I replied that I would not be comfortable meeting with them at this point but would meet with Pres and a neutral party. Their idea of neutral is HR (I have e-mailsabout me to management proving he is less than that). I was asked if I would please come in and meet with Owner, Pres & HR guy which I feel totally uncomfortable in doing because there are no neutral parties present and feel like I am backed into a corner. I feel if I do not go it will reflect badly on me since I asked for one last meeting. Should I seek counsel before meeting with them? Are they just doing this as damage control because they are wrong? Any advice and ideas will be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    5,437

    Default Re: Retaliation? Louisiana

    Q: Should I seek counsel before meeting with them? Are they just doing this as damage control because they are wrong?

    A: Yes and I don't know.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    492

    Default Re: Retaliation for Complaint at Work

    You may have missed the change in dynamics.
    It has been public knowledge the demoted manager (DM) was being phased out within a short time and that fact was re-affirmed to me by the Vice Pres., direct Supervisor and HR manager prior to me considering the move. He is difficult and demeans everyone but I knew that I could handle this person until he was phased out with the backup of management which they guaranteed I would have.
    In vocalizing the above concerns I now feel that I have been purposely isolated for doing so. I have been removed from dept. and demoted to doing secretary's filing and errands until her assistant is hired. I also feel Management, specifically VP, has negatively stereotyped me to which our HR manager was witness.
    I have gone from a Superior employee (as all my evaluations attest to) to now being “troublemaker” and “friction causer”.
    Have you asked management, specifically, what you can do to ameliorate that situation?

    When you state that management said,
    I have been told I will not be allowed to collect unemployment because this is a voluntary separation nor have I been give a set termination date even though I requested one.
    How do you reconcile that with,
    He acknowledge problems with DM, I was told to learn to get along or one of us would be gone and it would be me, called me a whiny crybaby who had problems in balancing home and work life which were causing problems at work (????)
    I am not sure why unemployment benefits would be an issue in an at-will employment state. In theory, it should not matter as long as separation from employment complied with at-will employment laws and doctrine.

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