human resource question shouldn't i be told what i'm accused of if i'm getting in trouble for something?

Question

at my job all the managers got together and bought a popcorn machine . they thought it would improve moral. we are on lots of manditory overtime and its been 6 months.the employees about 400 peoplethink it is stupid, but it does taste good. we do not get bonuses and i made a joke that this year for christmas we are getting flavored seasonings for the popcorn as a bonus. a company crybaby turned me in. i was told by a manager i was spreading "rumors" and was in trouble. I asked what the rumor was and i was told it was confidential. I found out through the grapevine it was my joke. IS it legal to be accused of something and not told what it is, weather it is major or not?

Answer 1

As a strictly legal question, most jobs in the US are "at will". In other words, they can let you go for any reason whatsoever, as long as they aren't discriminating against you because you are in some protected group, or in retribution for reporting harassment (as in sexual).

Answer 2

Mate
How UnAustralian can these worthless slobs be.
(foul language being baned gone for something less)
You should be able to have a laugh and a joke without fear of some brown-nosing little weaselly mongrel dropping you in the dirt.
Look into a solicitor if your job is on the line.
Or explain to your boss/ Manager, that this was a joke that suited the occasion. If it doesn't work go for solicitor if your job is on the line.
You should be told what your in trouble for, no matter how serious or not it is.

Answer 3

dont do anything till they put in writing....spreading rumors may be an offence in ur hand book and they might be looking for it so u should do the same its not what u said its the fact u have been accused of spreading rumors. Handbook handbook handbook if its in a hand book somewhere its probably legal thats how employeers get away with some rediculous rules.....then again they were written in a handbook for a reason. Have u been written up ......if so dont sign it. What can they do then but put it in a secret file .........besides it was just a joke jeeeeeeeeez have a sence of humor. GO POP CORN !!!!

Answer 4

Did he say what trouble you are in? Did he put anything in your file? Ask to see your file don't ask the manager go straight to HR that is the file you want to see. Any files he may have on you in the department can not be used against. You are probably not in trouble the manager may have been in a bad mood, or under stress due to all the overtime and he needed someone a.. to kick so he picked yours.

Also the employee who told may have added more to what you said. If there is nothing in your file don't worry about it.

I've worked in HR for 20 years.

Answer 5

Remember ethical and legal are two different things, they may not have the right to do something, but feel they have the power to do it. In otherwords, they will look for some reason to get rid of you, frame you, set you up, dig for dirt or solicit testimony from other people, to make an example out of you and put fear into the other workers so they understand they are company slaves. You can hire a lawyer, but the thing you need to think about is your "employability", are they going to flame you so bad you'll be blackballed everywhere? I worked for a bus company that saw to it when I quit that no other local outfit would hire me, basically they were subjecting me to sexual harrassment to satisfy a passenger who promised her daddy's friend, future chairman of the county board, would favor them with contracts if they got me to go out with her. I wouldn't, so they got a passenger to claim I insulted him with anti-Peurto Rican remarks (except I didn't insult him or know he was PR), and attempted to blackmail me with this. Bottom line was I quit, which left me without unemployment insurance, and looks bad on my resume. It also let them wiggle out of paying my sign on bonus which they owed me that very day. So what I'm saying is, you need to decide what your future needs are, tell them bluntly they're wrong, that it's assination of character, and if they want you to be quiet, accept being teh scapegoat and let the matter drop, you want something, a raise or whatever. Or a very glowing job reccomendation and severance pay. No, the rumour should not be "confidential" it just means whoever told you was not at liberty to discuss it, you see they keep stuff about you in your file you are not allowed to know about, this gives them "power" over you. And you can be sure they'll be waiting to get any dirt on you they can. So if you have proof of wrongdoing on them, keep it in a safe place and start documenting EVERYTHING as if you were building a legal case, because you may be. And if they call you into an office and start giving you a grilling, it will be to get you angry and to say or do something you'll regret. remember "he who angers you, controls you." What these poencil neck geeks in management specialize in is if they can't make you fear them, they will anger you and bait you into something bad. Just tell them you want to speak to your lawyer first and get back to them. Don't lose your cool, better to bide your time and get even. Meanwhile make sure everyone knows who the squealer is to protect them, but not on company time, real estate or communication/internet. Be very careful about what you have on your computer at work and if they can interface with your computer at home. You see these corporations get the idea they are a law unto themselves. You see the problem is these management types are the deadwood, non-productful, so they have to show they are doing their job and proving their worth, even if it means creating a problem just so they can "solve" it and be the hero to their superiors. In otherwords they are sacrificing you to save their own butts.

Answer 6

Dont fret until charges of your company reach you. Nohing serious, I believe. Your company loves you hence manager rreprimanded you. Dont you worry, chargng you with observing the 10 rights of the accused is chargeable either.