My boss hears my whispering "wage theft" and is getting nervous

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

I don't even know if I'll have a job tomorrow.

He's getting a lot of mileage out of a personality conflict I'm having with a coworker. My supervisor really created the problem because she doesn't have the chops to manage people. But she's my biggest cheerleader! lol

On the one hand, my supervisor agrees with me and says she will talk to my coworker about her attitude. On the other hand, her boss is pushing back and telling her not to do any of the things she's agreed to do. Their "plan" (euphemism), as it turns out, was to lead me along, then throw me under the bus and make me burn 2 benefit days lol

Yep, the Keystone Cops have created a hostile workplace and are trying to intimidate me. They didn't know, however, that I've been reporting them to HR. Yesterday, HR said she would speak to my supervisor today. Tomorrow should be interesting.

In any event, I called an attorney who specializes in this kind of thing, and he's just waiting for me to say "when."

[Generic Brad]

1. Sorry to hear you're having a tough time

I hope the situation works out for you.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

2. Thanks

I work for an asshole. I love my work and don't want to lose my job, but I've also got him dead-to-rights.

He should just do exactly the opposite of what he's doing if he wants it to go away. Knucklehead.

[Cal Carpenter]

3. Good luck, wow

If you have the time/ability/wherewithal, it may not be a bad idea to find a union, in addition to the lawyer, that dabbles in your industry or a broad union in your city to talk to. These days, making those sort of connections and rabble rousing is downright heroic imho.

HR's main purpose is to protect the corporation from lawsuits. They are not on your side. I suspect you know that.

Regardless, more power to you. I wish I could be surprised by your story but it is all too common.

Solidarity.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

4. Thanks again! The attorney said the company was smart to create

hundreds of small offices. He said the staff isn't large enough for a class action suit, not that any of my coworkers would join me. I've had conversations with my coworkers. They know we're getting screwed, but we all like our job and are just happy to be working.

So they've picked sides against me because they know I'm the most dangerous employee. They've rallied around the the 21 y/o who is creating the problem. The 21 y/o is a tool and she has no idea what's going on. She just knows they're taking her side against me, so she must be right. Opportunity to learn lost. She'll run into this same problem for years to come. I wonder if her next employer will put up with her attitude and crocodile tears. I feel sorry for the little brat.

Interestingly, the attorney says his daughter is going into my field. I told him she's going to get screwed, too. Who knows, maybe I do have a future as a labor leader

Solidarity.

[Major Nikon]

8. You also have the option of filing a complaint with the DOL

No lawyer required.

http://www.dol.gov/wecanhelp/howtofilecomplaint.htm

Your state may have additional remedies.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

13. Thanks Major, I knew folks here would have better ideas than mine

[Skittles]

5. your workplace sounds like a bunch of immature folk

everyone needs to grow the f*** up

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

14. It is, but everyone (except me) is trying to get a license

they're screwed from two sides: they need a job, and they need a ridiculous # of supervised hours in the field to get licensed. They're young and not about to fuck with their futures. I'm old and have no future

[Initech]

6. I worked in a hostile environment like that.

I had a serious conflict with a supervisor that escalated to the point where HR got involved multiple times. It did not end very well for either side, and let's just leave it at that.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

15. Initech (love it!)

Well, for the price of a write up today, I sure got to fuck with some unprofessional people for a week, coworker, supervisor, and director alike.

It was worth it, and I feel great about it.

[Initech]

16. I'd love to have five minutes with the Bobs from Office Space.

"Oh yeah let me tell you something about TPS reports..."

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

19. I have to say, I was channeling Peter this morning in front of "The Bobs"

[A-Schwarzenegger]

7. Were any of these folks involved in the "Sweetheart" situation?

Is it the same office of social workers?
Wonder if there's some leftover animus?

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

17. Ha! Wow

The conflict involves me and the one who apologized profusely and admitted she was a hypocrite. I think it's something as simple as she's 21 and used to being the smartest person in the room and can't tolerate someone older and wiser with better ideas.

[ND-Dem]

9. sorry to hear it. remember, HR is typically in the pocket of management. Their job isn't to

help employees, it's to manage employees for the benefit of management.

They will typically report anything you say or do back to management.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Definitely It Has Gravitated To That

Alas, that's not how it was 25, 30 or 35 years ago. HR took a far more dispassionate and objective view which tended to protect both sides.

As the greed philosophies, and growth at all cost strategies became more entrenched, it simply shifted the role of HR to more of a disciplinary function.

Raise standards for everyone, don't recognize good performance, only recognize the lack of further improvement, and throw under the bus anyone convenient to throw.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

18. You are correct! They didn't know what to do lol

[Javaman]

10. personally, not knowing the situation, I would break break with you coworker...

let he or she in on the fact that they both of you are being used as pawns and turn the tables on the boss.

just my two cents.

[Iggo]

11. Document, document, document.