I have only been late once, never missed a day, have never once clocked out for lunch, or taken off early, take every crappy schedule I get w/o complaint, and even when I was very sick with a severe MRSA infection, I never missed because I did not want to have others pick up my slack. I am good at what I do, and ALWAYS represent the business in a good light, very good with customers and the other workers. My dilemma:
My boss loves to use the word n***er for black people which makes me very uncomfortable, calls the president a "coon in the white house", told me once "have a chink work on that Jap car", and even likes to jab me about my religion in a very overt, hurtful way in front of people. He also drinks a lot (1/2 gal of whiskey every few days; I know because part of my job is to run to the liquor store), is drunk at work many evenings and very obviously an alcoholic. Of course his mouth and incredibly mean attitude come out very strongly then, and a few days ago he was really over the top. I was doing some work where he was present, and one person asked me my opinion on something about ethics, I gave it, and the boss came right out and said in a very mean tone how "fucked up" my beliefs are...
That was it for me, and how I deal with a situation like this is I continue to do my job very well, but will not engage him in any other way. So last night he asks me if I want some food that was around, I politely said "no thank you", and he yells:
"Well fuck you then".
Later he comes out and says I have two days to change my attitude or else. I ask what am I doing wrong with my job, and he will say nothing other than I am being "stand offish". Again I ask what am I doing wrong in my job that would warrant me being fired, and he comes unglued saying "don't give me that fucking psych crap, I'm not falling for it". I just walked away continuing as if nothing happened, and it really pissed him off... Yeah, I really want to be friendly and engaging to a racist, homophobic, drunk who tells his workers to fuck off!
My dilemma is I'm being fired for nothing I did wrong, how this will impact my job search when asked about my last job and why I left/was fired, and unemployment benefits? Advice in these matters is greatly appreciated. I'll try later to post a note he left myself and coworkers for missing a little trash left on a vehicle we cleaned... It's signed with:
"Fuck you".
Jesus, this sucks, and I go to work in an hour. Thank you everyone!
The cruel, the unkind, those without honor, feast on the tender heart...
Your best course is to play the game until you get another job. And while you 'change your attitude' you start recording shit left and right. At the same time - look for another job. Temp if you have to. Just get out as soon as you can.
Use your phone's record option, get a little recorder you can click on.
I am so sorry that this has happened. I can't believe this day in age that people still hold such hate and feel it is ok to spew it out on other people.
Is he the only head of the company, or is there another person who you could talk to
if you are fired I *think* unemployment is not affected (in fact, I think if you leave voluntarily, that is when you can't get it... but I have 0 experience with that, so please don't take my word on that)
Have you looked for other jobs, or is there anything in your area that you can apply to.... is going back to school an option (I am thinking that if you do get fired, you go back to school and that explains your time off...)
So, so sorry. You should NOT have to deal with such a hateful horrible man.
Good for you for keeping your cool. If it were me working there, I would have already called out the local television stations to out him.
But then I'm just that way.
Yes, very much a hostile work environment. It sounds like it is likely a small company and as boss/business owner...it is his way or the highway.
Depending on your state, it is highly likely that it is illegal to record someone without their consent. Not saying that I would not do it, just that it may not help you from a legal aspect.
I would be searching for a job now and get out as soon as possible. Again, from a right to work standpoint you can be fired for any/no reason at any point. With/without warning or documentation.
But, I would document everything that you can to present as your reason for leaving a hostile work environment...when you file for unemployment.
It would appear to me that due to his alcoholism that he does not pay much attention to his business at hand. His behaviors are completely unacceptable in a 'normal, professional' work environment. He would probably (??) not even know how to dispute an unemployment claim.
Of course if you had the resources you could eventually sue him for the hostile environment, stress related illness, etc. etc. You would need to make the decision if it is worth it.
Again, I would get out of there as soon as you possibly can.
This stuff just boils my blood.
Oh, and with regards to your job search.
"I could no longer work in a hostile work environment. The day to day conditions were overwhelming and I just felt it best that I leave".
No need to go into specifics, unless they push for more details. Be professional. If you need to, state that the owner consumed alcohol on a daily basis while working, used profanity that was directed at the employees, and made racist comments that you were very uncomfortable with. There is a fine line between stating why you left and 'badmouthing' a former employer.
[This message edited by AnnieOakley at 11:09 AM, January 24th (Friday)]
You need to get a lawyer that deals with this kind of thing.
I would record everything, hell, hold the damn phone up for him. It would be BETTER if he fired you. (just make sure you have enough evidence.
In fact, you need to get a thumb drive and get proof of your work, that you did it, get anything GOOD that they may have sent to you.
Start forwarding your emails to a personal email address so that you can send proof of good work and harassment to the unemployment office when they try to deny your unemployment.
This is true. If you quit you can not claim.
My mother had to endure a good amount of harassment from a younger boss. They eventually 'let her go' and my mom got a lawyer and sued them for harrassment and discrimination.
The Unemployment office actually set her up with a laywer, but i am not sure if every state does that.
I live in a "right to work" state which really means a right to fire anyone for anything at any time, or for no reason at all.
If I were you, I would start looking for a new job immediately. If you are questioned about your last employment and reason for leaving, you have been given great advice by AnnieOakley.
Sending strength and peace and lots of new job MOJO!
NL
Here's the reference everyone seems to point to:
http://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide
Sorry about your boss. It s*cks to be forced to interact with racist, bigoted, bullying Neanderthals.
Yeah, Indiana has this too, but it does not negate discrimination.
If the fired party can prove that it was anything but their work performance or company cutback that got them let go, then it could go to court.
That being said, you do realize that even if you do report him, for having a hostile work environment, and that he is highly inappropriate it most likely won't go anywhere or change anything. Racist, narrow minded, narcissistic, alcoholics aren't going to change.
Your best bet would be to go find another job, and quickly as possible. Take the high road, and get out of there as quickly as possible. He will eventually run his company into the ground, or only have like minded imbicles working for him. Hell any job anywhere else would be better than that.
Good luck.
So sorry.
sunandmoon
Sorry you have to endure this on a daily basis.
