Me and one of my co workers were curious about our benefits package because we needed insurance. I was a FULLTIME employee and I had already been there for OVER 3 months, and my co-worker's 3 month's was coming up 2 or 3 weeks later. So, I asked my boss about the insurance and when I could get it, and she said I had to wait in December, but thats "IF" I could even get it, and she said if I dont get it then I have to wait a whole year more. Well, the next couple of days, my co-worker told me that when she asked my boss, she gave my co-worker all of the insurance papers. Weird right?
Not only this, I wrote a note to my boss on sunday (oct. 7th) that I had to attend a church meeting on the past wednesday (Oct. 10th) at 5:30, so its not like I was taking the day off, I just had to leave at 5:30, and we close at 6. She told me I couldn't go and I had to choose between my job or church. Of course I picked church, so, I feel like I was forced to quit.
So, was this illegal? What do I do?
2007-10-13 08:01:28 · 12 answers · asked by Bianca_07 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'm in agreement with RazorJim, however, what your boss did was VERY illegal. When you asked for a reasonable arrangement to be made for you to attend a religious function, he/she said you have to make a choice between your job and your faith.
This is NOT acceptable under the EEOC guidelines and if he fires you for going to church, you have an excellent opportunity to file a grievance through the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).
The employer is expected to make reasonable accomodation for you if you request time off to attend religious functions. This is required by law. By reasonable, this means that there should have been someone else available to take your place or complete your work for those last remaining 30 minutes of the day, or that work should have been able to be held over until the next day. If this was not possible, then your request may have been deemed to be UNreasonable.
In addition, if you requested health insurance and you are eligible, he/she cannot deny you the opportunity to apply for it. This is also illegal because he/she is trying to prevent you from costing the company money.
Check out the EEOC's laws and rules at: http://www.eeoc.gov
I had a similar situation where I had to sue my employer because they denied my rights under the EEOC's anti-religious, anti-racial bias laws. I'm Jewish...a staff member tried to intimidate me and get me to leave by placing a swastika on my desk, among other mean-spirited actions. When they realized that didn't work, they terminated me illegally. I sued, and won both the EEOC case and the court case.
2007-10-13 08:18:03 · answer #1 · answered by Gary D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The insurance question: If your employer offers health insurance, then you fill out the paperwork accepting or declining the health insurance. Once you are eligible for the benefit (usually a set amount of time after employment starts) then you will start receiving the benefits if you signed the paperwork accepting the insurance and pay your portion of the premiums. The insurance company cannot deny your application for an employer offered policy (USA). If you decline the health insurance, then you usually cannot get your employers health insurance until then next opt in date, which is usually once per year.
On the leaving work early question: you knew when you took the job that your employer expected you to be at work until 6:00pm. You asked to leave early and your employer said, no, you are expected to be here until 6:00pm. Since you chose to leave, you quit your job. This is not illegal.
2007-10-13 15:12:35 · answer #2 · answered by Dan H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like your boss did not like you and had plans to let you go. That is probably why you were not offered the insurance papers.
2007-10-13 15:05:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah it's legal. She didn't give you the insurance papers because she didn't plan to keep you. Sorry you lost your job though.
2007-10-13 15:05:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds illegal to me
at my job they always let Jewish people take Fridays off and if you have a religious holiday no matter how busy we are people are totally allowed to get off
I would consult a lawyer
2007-10-13 15:05:48 · answer #5 · answered by mishkin 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont know if it was illegal. I suggest finding a lawyer to help. What a biotch.
2007-10-13 15:04:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i dont thing it's illegal. she just isnt treating you ethically... you should have reported her to whom ever was in a higher position than her. because the way she treated you was unjust. she must have something against you.
2007-10-13 15:07:27 · answer #7 · answered by Harry P 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
definitely suspicious. talk to a lawyer, pronto. the sooner you go, the easier it'll be to have a valid case.
2007-10-13 15:05:10 · answer #8 · answered by lostintranslation 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look for a new job
2007-10-13 15:12:36 · answer #9 · answered by naterino 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a job!
2007-10-13 15:08:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋