So I was suspended from work
 

yesterday, and terminated today for a semi heated conversation that happened over two weeks ago.

The conversation was between me and a man I barely know who doesnt work in my office or in my building. All I knew about him was his name, and that he worked in the building across the street from my office with case managers and probation and parole officers. Any time I would see him on the street or in the hallways of my building which is criminal distract court, I would wave and tell him hello like I do with everyone (I usually walk 2 miles during my 45 minute lunch so I see a bunch of people). He would either ignore me completely, or abruptly respond "hey" while never making eye contact.

He comes in my office a little over two weeks ago and decides to hold a meeting in my office which includes a lab where I work, and a front desk area by what we call intake. The meeting had to do with something they were doing new with an existing program on the computers in the intake area. I am a lab tech and work in the back part of the office which is the lab (I dont know how much he knows about me or what I do in the lab.).

When I proceeded to tell this to the man so I could continue running samples in the lab so I wouldnt get backed up or behind, he became infuriated. It was honestly kind of funny at the time. He was sporting the famous rage face while trying to intimidate and threaten me by saying, "You dont know who I am, "You dont want to mess with me!". I then ask him why is he talking to me like this, and why is he treating me this way?

He starts scoffing and making weird noises and weird body motions with his shoulders and arms while leaning back in a funny way as if how could I dare ask him a question like that. He then says" You dont want to do this!", "You dont want to do this!". I respond by asking him, do what and what is wrong with you? I then look at my supervisor who is standing to the right of me, and ask him what is going on? He responds by saying just look at what he wants to show you and let it go. Since my supervisor says so, I do participate in the meeting with no further contact with the man while the samples that needed to be run sat, and new ones piled up.

I am out of a job now because of this asshat! WTF!:shakes head:

What do you guys think? Is this crazy, or am I crazy?:confused:

Sounds like a lawsuit for you...

I wish you the best.

This guy will have a Heart attack or a stroke soon, but I would call a Lawyer..

Any Lawyers on this site ?? Time to help out one of our own...

Sounds like an unprofessional supervisor to me. Also, sounds like they did you a favor.

Your story doesn't seem very clear. I see you don't live in California which is an "at will" state meaning you can get fired for pretty much anything, is this the same in LA?

So what exactly did you tell the man? I'm confused as to why he became infuriated in the first place. And secondly, it all comes down to how you were interacting with him.

But, anyone who uses the line "do you know who I am?" is a F'ing tool.

^I agree. If you had to work with this nut job, leaving sounds like a good idea

Ive had legitimate problems before, and gone to my supervisor and even the HR department, and I was told things like I need to just get along with others, and/or it sounds like you are being passive aggressive. Mind you, this is after I tell them about things people do that will not allow me to do my job.

Im not sure what an attorney will be able to do considering the whole building is a political mess. Almost everyone in the building is a hookup or a powertrip. I was a damn good worker, and always on time and always very efficient. That is what makes me feel so bad. I am one of the only ones there that the clients liked becasue i always treated them with respect and as equal even though many had serious drug problems.

I also agree, but I would have at least held on til I found something else. I do need money ya know. :tiphat:

From what I am hearing from others about him now, He doesnt like to be challenged in any way, shape, or form. You do what he says, when he says, and how he says.

Honestly though, I wasnt disrespectful to him at all unless you consider me asking him why he is treating me bad or subhuman as disrespectful.

Sounds to me like he is close to your "Big Boss"... you might want to look for an Attorney who handles Wrongful Termination.

If story is correct, I would go to HR take account of who was there and report it all. If that doesn't work...slash tires every two months at different areas he may park!

this poopsenders - the ULTIMATE gag gift - SWEET revenge at its finest

end of story

Sounds like you worked at the New Orleans City Hall to me. Where else could you find so many power tripping asshats?

if you have witnesses i would contact a lawyer about a wrongful termination suit.

Orleans criminal court.

The problem is that no one will step up. Everyone wants to make sure to take care of themselves and protect their job. Its not that easy. Most people wont stick their necks out for others in that building. Certain people can do whatever they want because of who they are affiliated with. Ill still see what an attorney says, but its tough.

I knew it had to be in one of the government buildings.

Its sad. They keep the people who dont want to work and who cause problems around, and they get rid of the people who come in each day and do what they are supposed to do. Its all about the hookups.

I believe that's actually written on the welcome to New Orleans sign.

:iagree::shakes head:

So, were you suspended? or terminated?

For what it's worth, even though it sucks right now, you're probably better off. Hang in there bro.

Suspended yesterday, and then got a phone call telling me I was terminated today.

Thanks man.

OK then, so who was this guy? And what's the connection between your office and his office?

Damn dude, thats some serious bullsh1t.. damn.

I'll chime in as a HR guy / Employment law investigator:

Wrongful termination is an often misused term. Just because someone is an asshat, it doesn't make it wrongful termination. Wrongful termination is when the employer violates the law or some sort of written or implied contract between the employer and the employee.

There is no general civility law, meaning, employers get to be utter fuckin douchebags, and there isn't anything you can do about it. However, many governmental employers have progressive discipline policies to make sure people can't screw up one time and be canned for it. Normally HR won't let managers violate a progressive discipline policy if they know what is going on.

That being said, many times people will go to their local equal opportunity office and file complaints in hopes of negotiating with the employer ... you can PM me if you want to dig deeper in that.

Other than that, I would contact HR to file a complaint (unless HR is the one who contacted you), and your union, if you have one.

Just move from there and come to Texas.

This is EXACTLY why unions are necessary so these mental midgets can't be tyrants

Damn, that sucks dude. :shakes head:

Time to put major effort into getting a new job. Good luck!

There's really nothing more you can do than be the civil one of the equation. Wrongful termination isn't really applicable in this case. It's a lot of BS, but you're probably better off at a place that appreciates you. These kind of people always get what they deserve in the end. Karma's a b|tch!

If this guy answers to someone else, I would try sending them an email. If you were terminated for arguing in public, so should the other dude. I'm on your side, but is this the whole story?

I have no HR person to seek out. I stopped going to him after the second time I went to his office and he refused to do anything about someone impeding my work on a daily basis. He would tell me things like you just need to get along, or you are being passive aggressive. I gave up on HR a long time ago. His position was created specifically for him. He is the epitome of a hookup in that building.

That's what everyone keeps asking me, cause its so hard to believe. I don't blame them either. I would call ******** myself if someone told me the same story.

The craziest part about it, is that they called it an altercation, and said I became hostile in the letter they wanted me to sign. If that was really the case, why did they wait two weeks to mention it to me and suspend me at the same time. Seems fishy to me.

With that said isn't it illegal to try to intimidate or threaten someone in the workplace?

You need to show quantifiable evidence to prove any charges of harassment. Unfortunately, very few attorneyes will take your case base soley on your word unless you plan on paying them out of pocket. It's a long process where the results are uncertain based on what I'm reading. Did you sign the letter? If you did, there's no chance of winning any type of harassment case because it's pretty much a confession in the eyes of the law. Probably not what you wanted to hear.

Wait, you sign a letter on the situation?

Seems you're taking this gloves down?

If so get that resume dusted off and move on!

Damn man! That's BS in my opinion... May not be illegal, but WRONG!

Hell no!

Thanks for the kind words and support guys.

Sorry to hear about your situation. All I can say is that is so ****** up man. Maybe you are better off not being there anymore and I wish you the best in the future!

Thanks man. Im sure Ill be ok since I am an honest and down to earth person. Im just slowly but surely losing faith in humanity.

So sorry to hear that man. Idk what kind of field your in but my company is hiring. I live in norco and work at Dow st Charles. SGS is the company let me know if your interested. Think they start at 16 an hour. Hang in there.

Thanks Jay. That is good to know.

Oh wow, can't believe that went down. Really unfortunate.

Couldn't imagine that happening here, especially with the government jobs. Normally have to have a few verbal and written warnings before any suspension or termination happens.

Thats crazy, seems like its not the best of paces, normally when you lock down a govt job you are pretty set...wish you luck somewhere else.

Well, I got my final check and info packet in the mail today. It included a letter from the asshat that got me fired. He completely spun the story, an even went as far as saying he was afraid for his safety and thought I wanted to harm him. I find it really sad that this has also tainted my image. He supposedly reported the incident the day it happened as I did. If this was the case, and he really was in fear of his safety, then why was I suspended 2 weeks later and not within a couple of days ?