Should I be as angry as I am? (work related)UPDATE...

[missy28]

I work in a State prosecutors office, and am an attorney that prosecutes Domestic Violence crimes. In total, we have 16 attorneys in our office, and each one has their own investigator that works the cases of his or her particular attorney. We have a new boss, which is ordinarily an elected position, but our old boss resigned, and the governor appointed anew one. This new boss has been a prosecutor for a long time but apparently has never managed anyone but herself.

I return to my office from court and my secretary tells me that we have a mandatory office meeting at 1:30. Then my other friend (who is the victim advocate) pulls me in her office to tell me that the boss has FIRED my investigator and that's what the meeting is about. This man is a hard working detective who always did his job, and has 6 children to feed. He is a friend of my new boss's political opponent, so it's completely politically motivated. SO-- I'm angry because it would just seem like good common courtesy for the boss to tell ME she fired him before she unloads it on the whole office. I don't have the ability to hire and fire anyone, but I was his supervisor. I feel like I have the right to be upset, do I? Not that it will really do any good, since everyone is on edge about keeping their jobs now. I can't stand working for people who change things just to assert their power.

 

[luvdzny]

Yes, I think you have every right to be angry! If you were this man's supervisor I think you should have been the first to know. I also think that she should have spoken to you to let you know that she was considering firing this man, if anyone would know about his job performance it would be you. It sounds like there is not much you can do though, it seems she may fire you if you make any waves. Good luck, it is so hard to go to work when you have a "difficult" boss!

 

[DoeWDW]

It doesn't sound like he was fired for job performance reasons or she would have consulted you. I'm guessing it was purely for political reasons - not a thing you can do about it except contact him and let him know you'll be happy to provide a glowing reference as he searches for a new job.

If she wanted an office where people work together as a team and respect each other, she should have let you know first. I'm guessing she's not there to make friends.

Sorry you're going through this, from another state government worker who sees the political stuff go on all the time.

 

[missy28]

Thanks, luvdzny and Doreen... it's hard to go and "do the business of the people" and work for justice when the BOSS sets a political precedent for things to come. But, elections are in November (she's not up, but my old boss is running for DA!) so maybe I'll find a more palatable place to work come January. I just hate it when things like this happen, because it distracts me from what's really important-- prosecuting these cases, and trying to ensure the safety of victims. you would think the boss would be in that same mindset, but I guess not... I'll just try and keep my chin up...

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Ugh, office politics stink. Have you spoken to the investigator? I'm just thinking, it might be nice for him to know you didn't support his dismissal.

 

[missy28]

Well, I just got back from our "mandatory meeting" and prior to walking in, my boss stopped me at the door, and said, "I guess you've heard what this is about", I said "yes". She said, "well, if you want to discuss anything later, let me know." So the meeting starts and she announces that my investigator has been terminated because of falsifying time sheets, and under no circumstances is he to be let into the office, and if he contacts anyone for other than personal reasons, we are to let her know immediately. Well, this is an out and out LIE if I've ever heard it. His job was never a 9 to 5 one, but he was ALWAYS on the clock, as am I-- he'd call me at 12:30 at night sometimes... I'm so angry I can hardly see straight. And the way she was so freaking blase about "if you want to talk"... grrrr....

I'm definitely calling him and letting him know I think he got a raw deal, and that I'll be happy to give him any references he may need.

 

[Chicago526]

In IL, this is what we call "buisness as usual".

I'm sorry for your troubles, and wish the best for both you and your former investigator.

 

[WDWHound]

Ummm, are you sure you want to be posting this here? Seems to me like you arr accusing your boss of improper actions (or at least questioning his motavations), and you are revealing department business regarding a firing which could be considered confidential, all on a very widely read public forum. If your boss or someone else from the state saw this thread and didn't like it, it would not hard to figure out who your are from the information you have given and take retaliatory action.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying your interpretation of the situation is right or wrong, only that posting such information on the DIS may not be a wise thing to do.

 

[missy28]

I AM questioning her motivations, and I could care less about the "ramifications" of it... People shouldn't get away with treating others this way. There's nothing confidential about what I've revealed, and in Georgia, you can fire people for any reason at any time, with or without justification.

And as far as them seeing this post, highly doubtful. And even if they did, I've said nothing here that I wouldn't say to her if it became an issue.

If I were posting secret, confidential things that would be one thing!! But I just needed to vent... Although I appreciate your concerns!!! (And I understand them, too!)

 

[mom2boys]

I would hope that your boss had strong evidence to substantiate his alligation.

Perhaps you should share your opinions of his work ethic with the new boss. There may be more to it than spoken in the meeting.

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by missy28
So the meeting starts and she announces that my investigator has been terminated because of falsifying time sheets, and under no circumstances is he to be let into the office, and if he contacts anyone for other than personal reasons, we are to let her know immediately.

FYI....I have seen people "falsify" their timesheets alot. One guy would clock in and leave work from a back door, and no one caught on....another used to sleep in an upstairs file room...others were "working" on a Saturday-but were seen at a ballpark that whole day...I could go on and on-so maybe someone knows something you don't.

 

[missy28]

It's like I said before, in Georgia, you don't need a reason to fire someone, so she doesn't have to substantiate her claims.

And I know this person very well, and know how he works. And I've only know this new boss for 3 weeks, and she's completely politically motivated. I don't trust her as far as I can throw her.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

What reason did she give for firing him?

I can't imagine that she could just say You're Fired without some justification or he could sue her & the prosecuter's office.

 

[missy28]

Georgia is an AT-WILL state, meaning you can fire someone at will, without justification, and you can quit at will, without justification (or 2 week notice)... so while she wasn't obligated to, she claims he's falsified his time sheets. So, b/;c it's an at-will state, no law suit.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by missy28
Georgia is an AT-WILL state, meaning you can fire someone at will, without justification, and you can quit at will, without justification (or 2 week notice)... so while she wasn't obligated to, she claims he's falsified his time sheets. So, b/;c it's an at-will state, no law suit.

Yikes.

Any way you can dig up proof of what you suspect? I'm sorry this happened to him. Very different from where I work. Here they can't fire people they WANT to fire half the time due to fear of suits.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by missy28


And as far as them seeing this post, highly doubtful. And even if they did, I've said nothing here that I wouldn't say to her if it became an issue.

If I were posting secret, confidential things that would be one thing!! But I just needed to vent... Although I appreciate your concerns!!! (And I understand them, too!)

wouldn't have to be them seeing this, what about a disgruntled citizen that would assume you're posting to this site while being paid by the government.....please be careful..

 

[izzy]

I believe that since she has accused him of a crime - falsifying time documents is the equivalent of embezzlement - that she'd better be prepared to back it up, otherwise, I think he could sue her for making false statements about him. I don't believe that because Georgia is an "at will" state that she can just say whatever she wants to justify (in her mind) firing him, if what she said is not true and is criminal in nature.

Out of curiousity, does Georgia have any sort of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse hotline? Many states run these for state funded agencies and institutions for people to report fraud, waste, and abuse anonymously. It sounds to me like she is abusing her power.

If Georgia has a central agency for Human Resources, you may also want to check with them - in particular their Employee Relations division.

 

[missy28]

Izzy-- this guy would never sue... he's too nice for that. He just wants to support his family. But she is definitely abusing her power... makes me sick. But I don't even want to rock the boat anonymously because she'd can me in a heartbeat.

As far as me working on "county time"-- you ever heard of a lunch hour, mickey88? Besides, I work around 60 hours a week, so I doubt any citizen would (or could) complain...

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by missy28
Izzy-- this guy would never sue... he's too nice for that. He just wants to support his family. But she is definitely abusing her power... makes me sick. But I don't even want to rock the boat anonymously because she'd can me in a heartbeat.

As far as me working on "county time"-- you ever heard of a lunch hour, mickey88? Besides, I work around 60 hours a week, so I doubt any citizen would (or could) complain...

not trying to cause trouble, just being concerned, I've heard of such things happening, especially if someone your office prosecuted should see this..... can you get me a job...that's quite a long lunch hour...

 

[missy28]

Originally posted by MICKEY88
not trying to cause trouble, just being concerned, I've heard of such things happening, especially if someone your office prosecuted should see this..... can you get me a job...that's quite a long lunch hour...

Not that I should really have to explain this, but we have a mandatory unpaid hour we have to take off each day, but since I don't need an entire hour to eat a sandwich at my desk, I break it up into smaller breaks...

And if you'd like to work from 7am to 7pm and most weekends, I'd be thrilled to get you a job-- since there's now 1 open....