Think I should sue my boss? (long)

[explortainment]

start looking for another job if you make less than 35k a year, if you make more it might be worth going the long route of sueing. Chances are you will not win since he hasn't fired you, so you might want to wait for that to happen first.

Are you saying you are there at work 8 hours but only actually work for 3? just my opinion, but that might be why you are having this problem? We have some people at my place that are here all day and only actually work for 3 hours...and those people are discriminated against..both males and females...

 

[Chewy's Mom]

Originally posted by explortainment
start looking for another job if you make less than 35k a year, if you make more it might be worth going the long route of sueing. Chances are you will not win since he hasn't fired you, so you might want to wait for that to happen first.

Are you saying you are there at work 8 hours but only actually work for 3? just my opinion, but that might be why you are having this problem? We have some people at my place that are here all day and only actually work for 3 hours...and those people are discriminated against..both males and females...

I do not want to wait for him to fire me first. Because if I file a claim against him, and THEN he fires me, it's worse for him, because that is considered retaliation which is hugely illegal.

I am NOT saying that I am at work for 8 hours but only work for 3. That would cause problems for pretty much anybody, wouldn't it? And if I was doing that, I sure wouldn't go around whining about discrimination. I used to normally work 30 hrs/week. I'm now down to 16-20 hrs/week. And putting the same on my timesheets. I do not falsify my timesheets, thank you.

 

[ColleenAus]

stinky bossess

aww mon!!! im feel so sad that u are going through this!
hrmm..... how about hiding chewy in a suit case and letting him bite that big old boss on the balls hehe would make u feel a whole lot better! although that too is highly illegaland chewy would prolly get poisoned from those toxic balls some men possess

i think that you should find some where else to work in your "spare" time that this A hole has given you - 16 hours a week - frees you up for another 16 hours aweek - maybe do some volunteer work at a firm so that if ur boss throws it back iin ur face - its volunteer work and that you werent getting paid haha im young and dumb so i wouldnt know and my job is okies coz my boss is my dad hehe *benefits*

any ways *chin up missy bum*

- colly

 

[VTbxrFan]

Originally posted by Chewy's Mom
Not to mention if he fires me, I will ask for severance pay. He gave severance to a male co-worker who was fired by my brother for surfing porn. Boss helped the guy cover up the real reason, gave him 2 months severance pay so the guy wouldn't tell on him for all of the illegal things he does, and was very mad that my brother fired him. Now, he legally has to pay me severance if I'm fired, and I know that he won't do it, which would again strengthen my case.

Just curious -- why is he legally required to pay you severance? I wasn't aware of that being a legal requirement -- just thought it was "customary" (particularly in no-fault situations like layoffs for financial reasons) but optional, not a legal requirement when a person is fired.

 

[Chewy's Mom]

Originally posted by VTbxrFan
Just curious -- why is he legally required to pay you severance? I wasn't aware of that being a legal requirement -- just thought it was "customary" (particularly in no-fault situations like layoffs for financial reasons) but optional, not a legal requirement when a person is fired.

You're right in that it is not a legal requirement, but since he set a precedent by giving it to someone with the exact same job title as me who has been here less time than me and who was *fired* - not laid off, he would actually have to prove how it is NOT discriminatory to not give it to me. If he had never paid my co-worker severance, then he would never have been obligated to pay it to me too. I actually checked with a firm that specializes in this stuff to find this out.

Colly - you're too funny. I'm sure Chewy would love to come to my rescue. And my boss is afraid of dogs! :p

 

[newark]

This is a tough story for me to listen to, having been through it myself. From my experience I learned a few things and wish I had reacted differently. I'm a strong-willed person, with opinions and a belief in a great work ethic. I complained about the harrassment, and was fired. I got another job right away with my skills, but never went to a lawyer. I wish I had. Many of the other women were also being caused the same troubles, but after getting fired I was so upset I just let it go.
Two months later, a woman with the guts to do what I should have done, filed suit against him. A year later this same woman with the bravery I lacked, won her case and he was actually jailed for two years.

It's worth the time if you can handle the wait, if you can handle the stress. Of note as well: not sure of the laws in the United States, but Canadian law has two ways you can file in your particular case. One is harrassment, the other is (can't remember the legal term) working in an environment where you have essentially already been terminated. Both are strong cases, though the second one seems to go faster.

No matter what your choice in the end, I empathize with your situation. It's so hard to go through, and go to work each day and not be appreciated for all your efforts. Know that you have my prayers and you can't do anything wrong. What you decide is what will be best for you. Good luck and congratulations to the next company that gets you as an employee as they'll be getting a gem!

 

[debcadman]

Take a look at this web site. I suffered bullying in the workplace, and it made me very ill in the end. This site was a great help.

http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/

I hope you find it just as supportive as I did.

 

[Chewy's Mom]

Thanks for all of your support, everyone. I had finally had enough, and so today I sent my boss an e-mail. It said...

"Please stop excluding me from all of your e-mails. It has already caused a delay in a project by leaving me out. It is also unprofessional, discriminatory, and creates a hostile work environment which is illegal. Thank you."

See why he thinks I'm a pain in the butt? So of course this got a response out of him, and he calls me into his office to talk. We went back and forth for maybe 45 minutes. I told him pretty much everything - that I've consulted an attorney, that I can prove he discriminates against women, I know all about his "confidential" e-mails and have copies, that he better stop talking bad about me to the entire staff because they tell me, etc, etc. He wasn't real happy about all this, and of course tried to explain it all away. He also accused me of being argumentative toward him because he's from India! He said "you don't talk to this person and this person like this becaue they're white." To which I said "No, I talk to them differently because they're logical." I was NOT going to sit there and listen to him accuse me of being racist, and I told him so, and he stopped. Jeez. So I finally told him what I want which is to just show up for work, do my job, and be treated fairly. I said I will happily do any task for you which I know how to do if you just ask me. And if you at some point decide to let me go based on a business decision, it will not hurt my feelings one bit, but I do expect the same severance pay that you gave to porn-surfer guy. He said ok, and said he'd "be nicer to girls." :rolleyes:

I was really kinda bummed that he didn't fire me. Oh well, maybe next month. In the meantime, my resume is all ready to send out.

 

[myrocky]

At least it is out in the open now which might be a good thing. If he says anything or does anything nasty again just say outloud "Mental note to self, call attorney when I get back to my desk" :p :p

I can't believe he said he would "be nicer to girls" ! Like all the women in the office are 10years old! :mad:

 

[vasha]

oh Monique, not to give this guy a break, but honestly that's how indian men are - i say teach him a lesson and sue his @$$.

VaSHa