URGENT! My employer is pummeling me verbally and emotionally ...?

Question

I finally stood up to him and now am looking at a written warning. It has my signature block on it. I would like to refuse to sign but it will probably get me fired and there is no way I can handle that financially right now. Can I ammend my signature by putting something like "in dissagreement" underneath my sig?

Answer 1

This is a fine line you are walking...First its your word against his at this point...wont stand up in court on that...BUT...if you have witnesses...recordings (very weak in courts right now)...to what he is doing as saying then you have a better chance...if its sexual harrassment you are encountering...Better Business Bureau is the best way to get info on this and they will conduct an investigation as well...BUT...if you are the first to stand up to this guy and it would seem that people are habitual they just dont start over night you may want to talk to some past employees and see if there is a pattern...if there is you can ALL hire a lawyer and get a Class Action Suit against this guy....
The main thing that anyone will ask though is what is your definition of the things you are claiming against him??....That will determine what and when things happen...you can sign after you have THOROUGHLY read the write up...and remember to get a copy and also you have the right to put a rebuttal in the file as well also get a copy of that as well...
I think what you are learning now is a valuable lesson as hard as it is to swallow...there is always a tactful way to say what you are saying without lashing out especially at the person who controls your fate...and every job has BS and a person you will not be able to tolerate or stand...its how you get around these obstacles that will make you or break you...remember people like him in those positions are going to be there whether you are there or not and they will be getting paid when you are not...so you might want to see if you cant sit down when he has time and isnt under alot of strain and talk about the incident...it will show great maturity and character on your part...and even if he doesnt listen or seem to be listening at least you know you can hold your head up and look in the mirror as a success even if he does fire you...you did all you could...you went and tried to rectify the situation....he fired you anyway...that is just the way some people are...but tact will always be your best offense and defense against people especially jerks....best of luck...

Answer 2

If you feel that your situation is such you need to report the details and specifics to your H.R. person and file a complaint. Be specific - On Tuesday June 5th comment was made " " by this person. Don't go and say " boss is picking on me and is mean". They can't investigate that. If you go to your H.R./Office Manager and they do not investigate the situation then you can file a complaint with your E.E.O.C. office. (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) They are an official government agency that investigates this kind of stuff. (The Better Business Bureau is a private organization, I've not heard of them doing an actual investigation at a work site. They take complaints against a business regarding their business practices, write that business a letter to ask for their side of it, then decide whether they will put a note against that business on their web site.)

Read your warning to see what it means if you sign it. If you refuse to sign it they can not fire you, the proper procedure is that they will bring in another member of management to witness that you were given the warning notice and are refusing to sign it. You can not alter the document but you can certainly put your comments on it or on a page to attach to it. In most cases your signature does not mean you are agreeing to what was written, just acknowleding receipt of the document and you understand that further incidents could lead to further consequences, up to and including termination.

Answer 3

Read what you are signing first. It may just say you are signing to show you received a copy and it may also say you are agreeing with the contents. So double check that. Type up your own incident report with your view of the situation. Ask Human Resources department if you can attach your version to the report. If not just keep it for yourself for future debates on the subject.

Answer 4

First and foremost, employers have the right to pummel you verbally and emotionally any time they want to. They are the bosses, not you. If you don't like it, quit and look for another job. Physically pummeling and sexual battery is another matter, but yup - they can talk to you like you something brown and smelly on the bottom of their shoe and if you want to keep your job, there ain't nada you can do about it except deal with it. If you try to fight back, he will just fire you and then you run the risk of not being able to get a job for a long time, because the employer will put out the word to other employers that you are an employee who likes to cause trouble. Just keep your mouth shut, take your punishment - deserved or undeserved and look for another job if you are unhappy.

Answer 5

Signing it just means you received it. It does not mean you agree. Write up your preception of the situation and keep it in a safe place. You will not remember the details 6 months from now.

Answer 6

You haven't told us why he's on your a@@.

If you're an"at will" employee, they can just fire you for any reason, or no reason.
So, just sign the acknowledgement and shut up. Don't give them a reason to go to the next step, which could be suspension or firing. And if you think they're not being fair, look for another job.

Answer 7

Signing just means that you have received it and read it. Ask to add a memo in your file, I believe they have to let you respond to the warning.

Answer 8

I would get in touch with an employment lawyer pronto. Ditto on what the others have said, read everything before you sign, and write down your reccollection of what happened.

Answer 9

shoot report him,