Boss threating my job?

Question

I really wish I could have quit my underpaying-dead-end job today, but I can't because I am pregnant and no one would hire me. My boss is threatening me with my job and cursing me out because yes I have been a little late a few days. He should try being five months pregnant and have a small child at home to get off to school everyday. My boss has hated me ever since the day my other boss was asked to leave because he couldn't keep his sexual comments to himself and dirty hands off my a$$. I haven't had a raise in three years and I work for a multi million dollar corporation. My boss tells me today I am not getting a raise and jumps my a$$ because his wife (who now works with me) went and told him a bunch of lies about how I wasn't doing my job. He also yelled at me because I am not teaching her how to do everything in my office... Should I give her a free education I had to bust my butt for three years for? I can't teach her how to be a graphic artist... either you have it or you don't

Can my boss fire me for not teaching her (his wife) every program? Can he fire me while I am pregnant in the state of Louisiana? Are there any laws protecting pregnant women from being threatened with their jobs? Any advice or answers would be greatly appreciated!!

My boss is the head honcho. The only people over him are the owners. My current boss is not the one who sexually harassed me... it was my old boss, my current boss' good friend. I think his wife wants my job, that is why I don't want to teach her anything. I want them to see what I do do, not what she says I don't. It is all pointless really because my boss isn't going to believe me over his wife. She is coming back to work next week and I don't know how on earth I will be able to sit here and hold my tongue. I don't think I will even be able to talk to her. She acted like my friend to my face and then turned around and stabbed me in the back. She is such a ... Well you know.

BTW I have worked here for seven years and my boss has never cared about what goes on in my shop... until now.

Answer 1

Sounds like your boss is a big, unprofessional, jerk!

How far along are you -- are you really showing? since you work for a major corporation, can you transfer to another part of the company? this would be your best bet.

Firing or disciplining -- or taking any adverse action against -- a pregnant woman BECAUSE she is pregnant is a violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

However, your boss CAN fire you for "cause" such as coming in late (and you can be sure he has documented your tardiness) as well as for insubordination, such as refusing his order to teach his wife how to be a graphic artist.

To protect your job, I strongly advise you to get to work on time each and every day, no matter what. Keep a log of your starting times that you can later refer to if he tries to say you were chronically late. Also, just do what he says and if he wants to pay you to teach his wife, then do it. He may very well be "looking for a reason" to fire you, and so your job must be to not give him one.

Unfortunately, he can fire you if you refuse to train his wife how to use the computer. Its called insubordination.

Of course if he does fire you, you can always mount a defense that is a pretext for pregnancy discrimination and a retaliation for your sex harassment claim, but such law suits take many years, are very very expensive in terms of lawyers, and rarely are ruled in favor of the worker in the end. Even if they are, the lawyers keep almost all of it. They are also very stressful, so it is best to avoid all this.

Answer 2

Without knowing all the facts and based on what you say I would recommend looking for a new job. It is not as hard as you might think. There will be plenty of other companies that can use someone with 16 years auditing experience and is going home crying really something you plan to do for long? Auditing is there to serve a purpose it requires honesty and integrity which seems to be lost on your boss. Sadly you can't change other people you can only change yourself.

Answer 3

DOCUMENT everything!! Get a little spiral notebook and make a note of EVERY time he swears, is insulting, is demeaning or insulting or touches you inappropriately.
From what you have said, it will only take a day or two to have several pages filled. Once you do, go to the HR dept and ask to speak with either the HR Manager or the HR Director. Do not give them the book, or let them read it, but you can read from it to them. Ask them if they can help or if you should be taking some other steps, (which they will hear as "pending lawsuit") They know the law and they will become VERY nervous and do whatever it takes to keep your boss in line.
Make note of your meeting with the HR people as well.
Good luck!

Answer 4

There are laws that protect pregnant women from getting fired, unless there is proof that you aren't doing your job. Sound like your boss is frustrated that he can't get his wife in your position and he wants you out.

It's a no win situation, unless you can get him kicked out. I think it's time to start thinking about another job, but I totally understand that you need to keep your position right now because of insurance.

Is there anyone else that is above him that you can talk to in the company?

Answer 5

I read the first two lines. You can file a lawsuit for the abuse your boss is giving you. Swearing is totally unprofessional and it's emotional abuse. Talk to a lawyer now, and you can not only quit, but your boss will have to pay through the nose for thier verbal and emotional abuse. Being late is unprofessional, however not worth abuse of this nature.

HOLY COW, I just saw that he is sexually harrassing you too! You NEED to get a lawyer...OMG...I would OWN his business if I were you, I'd sue him so hard he wouldn't even have food stamps left!

Answer 6

get a tape recorder and tape this guy harrassing your family. Keep every email or anything paper work that you can that can get them introuble. My husband did this, and we sued the company that we both worked for, they harassed me for being pregnant, and we settled out of court. You have to keep all the information and then file at the department of labor, in your local city. But, you have to have proof.

Answer 7

sounds like a crappy situation. I know, tell him, in his office away from all ears, that if he causes your pregnancy problems from stress then you will sue him for causing you anguish. Most bosses will be scared by this and may leave you alone. Threat might be a dead one, but is possible for you to do if you end up having early labor.

Answer 8

God bless ya for stickin' with it this long! Man, I would just about kill myself if I had a job like that. Are you sure there isn't anyplace that would hire you if you quit? Maybe you could get a job that allows you to work from home. There are tons of those out there. I hope all works out well..congrats on your new little one :-)

Answer 9

You know what...you can't be discriminated against because you're pg. If I were you, I'd start searching for another job (secretly of course). Good luck to you!!! I'm sure you would be a great asset to another firm and get the respect you deserve.

Answer 10

I no in Michigan you can't fire a pregnant woman, who shows up to work. Call an attorney and ask them.