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MeMe · Newbie Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

I am to be laid off from a part-time job at the first of the year because my job is being eliminated due to "budgetary reasons." I am being replaced on a full-time basis by someone younger with less experience. I did express great interest in a full-time job, but was told they wanted someone with "different skills." Not surprisingly, I do have the "different skills" the company claims to seek, and have been doing them a lot longer. I have also done an excellent job for the company, including winning awards, which no one can deny. So this is obviously a case of discrimination.

Meanwhile, my boss has been treating me very badly. She has pulled all kinds of mean, childish tricks, including creating an increasingly unpleasant work environment, "unfriending" me on Facebook and other nonsense. I have done absolutely nothing to deserve this treatment. I would think that, under the circumstances, these people would treat with me kid gloves. It's bad enough to toss someone aside like an old shoe. But why be cruel about it? It's so unnecessary.

My concern is that she's trying to make my life so miserable or build a case against me so that she can force me out sooner. I need advice on how to protect myself.

Pauloz · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:22 pm Post subject:

MeMe

You're much better off out of an environment like that. If you've got awards, move on, ASAP.

That kind of behavior is if anything dumber than it looks. Some people file lawsuits for harassment or other breaches of normal workplace guidelines, stress-related situations where the work environment is a factor, etc, and that includes bosses.

A few options:

Can you take paid leave leading up to the layoff date?
If you want to fight the issue, you can have a grievance hearing, unless this person is the big boss or owner. It's not the preferred first shot on the board, confrontational with no obvious gain, but it can be done.
Can you go over this clown's head, and complain to a senior manager? There's nothing to lose at this stage.

We can't give legal advice, but you might want to check out any options with a friendly pro bono lawyer or your local DLI.

You might have a legitimate claim against the firm on the basis of their hiring and firing practices, under state or Federal laws. That's another angle you'd need to check, but I'm not sure if you want to follow such a lengthy procedure, and your question was about protection.

MeMe · Newbie Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

Thanks for your kind input, Paul.

outstanding · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:58 am Post subject:

hello... go to your local library and check out this book its called.."Corporate Executions". It reminded me a lot about your post. It offers great analysis of these types of situations.

Unfortunately, sometimes your best option is to leave and find a better working life.

Best thing you can do is move on. Lawsuits will take up your time and slow down your career growth. Is that really what you want ?

rossoonline · Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 4 Career Advice: +0/-0

Agree with the above posts. When they're making a bad atmosphere for you, especially if it's from someone senior, the best way is to just start looking out for other opportunites.

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