So I get called into the office

[Blondy876]

5 minutes before the end of my day and got yelled at for "instigating" a situation that occurred earlier this week. He told me that things have changed since I went on maternity leave (1 year ago) and that I need to look at my employee handbook and my contract and read the "at will employee" clause several times.

I knew about the situation but thought I had done the right thing by going up the chain of command and asking the right person to clarify so that there would be no issue. Instead I get scolded and threatened with being fired.

I have been so excited to get back to work from my year long leave. I have worked so hard to catch up and learn all the new policies and procedures. I have know this man for 5 years he knows that I'm not a trouble maker, yet he assumes it was me. I'm just sad, I need this job, I love this job. He did not give me the opportunity to tell him my side of the situation and in fact when he got done saying what he wanted to say he said 'goodbye' gave a wave of his hand and turned his back on me.

I am thinking of possibly sitting down with him and telling him my side on Monday. I'm just not too sure what to do, let it go or stand up for myself. Or maybe I should send him a memo of my side. I'm at a loss and I'm very sad. I really do like my boss, and because of that I want to work hard, but I'm terrified that he is just going to fire me whenever he wants. Any opinions? (nice ones)

Thanks for listening.

 

[MsDisney23]

I am not sure of what to tell you to do. Here is a and some for you. I can only say to think about it over the weekend, you will find the right decision! I do not know where you work or the actual sitiuation so I can not really say.

There are times with my DD that I have told her to just walk away and let it roll of her back! However there I have known the situation, and at other times I have told her to speak to her manager.

Try to relax and a good weekend, it will come to you! Kitty

 

[JulyGirl]

You're a teacher, right? I remember reading about how excited you were to get back to work this summer. What exactly happened, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Blondy876]

You're a teacher, right? I remember reading about how excited you were to get back to work this summer. What exactly happened, if you don't mind me asking?

Some teachers were missing 5 minutes of their prep time. We are supposed to be in our rooms at a certain time and a couple of teachers were taking 5 more minutes than others. When those who were missing those 5 minutes found out (me included) we thought that we had misheard and we decided to take it like the others. We found out that we shouldn't have done that. When the teachers started complaining about missing that time I went to our supervisor and asked about it and she resolved the situation. I was accused of causing all the other teachers to take that extra 5 minutes the other day to make a point. I hope that explains it. It's actually very petty and I'm not sure why all the fuss.

 

[DCPA]

Calling the HR dept. should not be taken lightly. It will not make you popular with anyone, your boss or the HR dept.

However if you feel that you may be unfairly fired at any moment you might consider it. Once you take this step and claim that your boss was hostile to you for an honest mistake, and that he threatened to fire you something arbitrary, they will be forced to investigate to see if your boss acted inappropriately. But without witnesses you might have a hard case.

If I were you I would read your contract and employee handbook to determine your rights in your situation.

You might want to swallow you pride and just follow the guidelines in the handbook, and let this one go. But note, even At Will employers get sued for discriminatory hiring and firing activity.

 

[Serena]

You know, I think it sounds unfair, but I don't know of a way you can make it better without irritating the same people more.

Good luck.

 

[chell]

Sorry they are giving you a hard time. ::hugs::

 

[tiggersmom2]

5 minutes before the end of my day and got yelled at for "instigating" a situation that occurred earlier this week. He told me that things have changed since I went on maternity leave (1 year ago) and that I need to look at my employee handbook and my contract and read the "at will employee" clause several times.

I knew about the situation but thought I had done the right thing by going up the chain of command and asking the right person to clarify so that there would be no issue. Instead I get scolded and threatened with being fired.

I have been so excited to get back to work from my year long leave. I have worked so hard to catch up and learn all the new policies and procedures. I have know this man for 5 years he knows that I'm not a trouble maker, yet he assumes it was me. I'm just sad, I need this job, I love this job. He did not give me the opportunity to tell him my side of the situation and in fact when he got done saying what he wanted to say he said 'goodbye' gave a wave of his hand and turned his back on me.

I am thinking of possibly sitting down with him and telling him my side on Monday. I'm just not too sure what to do, let it go or stand up for myself. Or maybe I should send him a memo of my side. I'm at a loss and I'm very sad. I really do like my boss, and because of that I want to work hard, but I'm terrified that he is just going to fire me whenever he wants. Any opinions? (nice ones)

Thanks for listening.

Sweetie, I don't understand how you could have any respect for this man because he obviously has zero, zilch, nada for YOU! I have no doubt that he would fire you for any little thing now.

If I were in your situation I would seriously look at all my options and discreetly start looking for another position.

 

[Kermit]

I would send a memo. It's official (no "he said, she said" stuff), and you don't have to worry about getting emotional and saying the wrong thing.

I also agree that looking for a new job would be a good idea. Telling you that you needed to read the part about at-will employment is just really rude and unprofessional.

 

[diznygirl]

Some teachers were missing 5 minutes of their prep time. We are supposed to be in our rooms at a certain time and a couple of teachers were taking 5 more minutes than others. When those who were missing those 5 minutes found out (me included) we thought that we had misheard and we decided to take it like the others. We found out that we shouldn't have done that. When the teachers started complaining about missing that time I went to our supervisor and asked about it and she resolved the situation. I was accused of causing all the other teachers to take that extra 5 minutes the other day to make a point. I hope that explains it. It's actually very petty and I'm not sure why all the fuss.

You need to go to your supervisor and tell her what the boss did. She can go to him and clear up what happened. But don't expect an apology - he doesn't sound like the type!


Or you can do nothing. It's a fine line. I once stood up for myself to my boss and he took away my vacation time and cut my pay. Small company and he was the owner.

 

[Renysmom]

Are you a teacher? If you are you fall under a contract? If you are you CANNOT be fired at will.

I work in an HR department of a majjor school district and this is exactly what I deal with. Was anything written up? If not, not much can happen BUT I would suggest you document this and anything else that may happen over the year so if this person attempts to take action you can grieve that action (a grievance can take over a year, and often during a grievance you still cant be fired). During the grievance the truths come out as everyine is questioned and if nothing happened the school district can't do anything.

In our school district support employees, if they are on conrtact, have the same rights.

 

[Frantasmic]

Document the situation in some form or fashion, preferably formally as suggested in this thread, but at least make your own notes on the situation.

You never know if the maternity leave made you personna non grata (even thought it shouldn't and couldn't legally). It could be that they are setting you up for dismissal, but need some ammo first.

YOU need ammo of your own if this is occurring.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Don't expect a lot from HR.
HR always on paper will side with the supervisor, whether they really agree or not. Otherwise they could be opening the door to a lawsuit.
But due to this threatening reprimand I would write down what happened, your side, sign it, and turn it into HR and have it placed in your file.
If you relly feel threatened, make an appointment with an attorney and give their office a copy too.
Document everything, and anything more that could happen now. YOu probably will be scruntinzed for awhile.
It doesn't sound like the 5 minutes is an issue. It was the polictics and chain of command behind it.
Hand in your paper, let it die down, and then when you feel comfortable you can talk to your supervisor about it.
But don't expect an apology or anything to really come from it.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Also, I say play it cool and stay. Just document EVERYTHING.
Just keep the best attitude you can. If you need to, imagine killing them with kindness.
If they let you go, at least you have unemployment and possible other reprecussions to fall back on. You may be able to get other separation benefits too, if the worse case happens.
Good luck!

 

[Blondy876]

Sweetie, I don't understand how you could have any respect for this man because he obviously has zero, zilch, nada for YOU! I have no doubt that he would fire you for any little thing now.

That was how I felt before he did this. Your right, I'm still stunned at how nasty and disrespectful he was. That being said...

I have basically decided to do nothing. I need the job too much. Since I'm just going back I need the money, We are trying to dig out of the $ hole we are in. If I get fired we will in all likelihood lose our home and who knows what else. I will quietly be looking for a new job but I think my best move will be to lay low and just do my job.

Now, if I could just get this knot out of my stomach and stop crying I might be able to sleep.

 

[barkley]

unfortunatly "at will" employees can be terminated in most cases without any reason given. i worked for a government agency that adored hiring alot of entry level positions as "at will", this way they could simply say "we no longer have a need for your services". on the other hand, i have to disagree that hr will always side with the employer. a good hr department will make every effort to work to the letter of the law even to the detriment of other employees or the employer (esp. within civil service situations).