My boss wants to suspend me! Help

Last week my boss called my coworker and me into his office. He said that he had a videotape of us doing inappropriate things while working. We asked him what we did wrong and to see the videotape. He said he could not tell us or show us the tape and told us we were suspended for 3 days. (The place where we work does not have videotapes and I don’t recall doing anything that would get me suspended) Today I returned to work and filed a complaint against my boss. My boss learned this and called me into his office. I was told if I do not take the complaint back that he will increase my suspension or possibly fire me. He said that this will be his fourth complaint filed against him and does not want to be fired. I don’t want to take the complaint back because they are thinking about laying people off and I do not want to be one of them. What should I do?

POST A COMMENTBonusOnus(02/12/2009)
It's time to talk to an employment lawyer.

They can lay you off without resorting to false accusations (if this is what they are doing).

However, if the company does not want to pay an increase in unemployment insurance, they can try to fire you "for cause", in which case, you don't get UI.

I would fight this and talk to your HR person. Also, document EVERY STEP you took, from the time your manager accused you of doing inappropriate things at work, to all the retaliations that you will inevitably face.



CK(02/12/2009)
Go to the higher-ups and make your concerns known. Expain that you were suspended for unknown offenses and that you are now being harrassed by this manager. He in turn threatened you with retaliation if you were to report him to his superiors.

labtech(02/12/2009)
That's right, document everything. Call an employment lawyer who works on a percentage. Be prepared to fight to keep your job, and be prepared to be fired. Chances are the higher-ups won't care, or just consider you a 'problem' to be gotten rid of if you complain, so don't be shocked if they're unhelpful. I wouldn't rescind the complaint against your boss, either. But be sure that you were not caught doing something wrong to merit the suspension.

SouthernProgrammer(02/12/2009)
#1: The boss should have had an HR rep in the office when suspending you.

#2: Won't let you see the tape? Red flag there, they are just grasping.

Get a lawyer....quick!

Bookwoman(02/13/2009)
You are working for a nut job. All rules of sanity are suspended. You need to constantly keep in mind that you are dealing with someone who is a few cards short in the deck.
If you can't afford a lawyer, or think you can't, look for a local legal aid society. They should be able to help.

I once worked for a crazy woman who always said "that's fine" whenever I had to take one of my kids to the dentist, dr, etc. At the time my husband worked a job that he could not leave during the day, so it was as if I was a single parent. I HAD to be the one to take the kids wherever for appts. Then when it came to my evaluation, all of a sudden these appts became an issue - I was told that apparently these frequent absences (a couple times a month I either came in a little late or left a little early, much less frequent 'absences' than other co-workers; one called in sick EVERY Monday) indicated 'personal problems at home' and she MANDATED that I attend counseling. If I did not, I would lose my job. I insisted the counseling appts take place during work hours, and that I would be compensated for mileage. The counselor and I had nothing to talk about during these sessions. She came right out and said there was no reason for me to be there. Because I didn't back down, and showed no fear of anyone else at work knowing I was being forced into this 'counseling,' it all backfired in the supervisor's face. I ended up finding another job and leaving, but shortly after that the supervisor was 'invited to leave' herself.

Hang in there. Don't let yourself think you're the crazy one - remember who the nut in this situation is.

HaveADamnNiceDay(02/13/2009)
Bookwoman is right. This guy is nuts! He's grasping at straws because he's already been in trouble. He's probably in trouble NOW. He is trying to distract management with some kind of so-called inappropriate behavior from a couple of underlings. He won't show you the tape because he doesn't HAVE one. Go as far over his head as you can and expose this clown!

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