A Reader Asks This Question:
I’m am now experiencing a major issue with a manager at my part time job. It has a lot do with gossiping, dishonesty, and developing a hostile work environment with an employee. The issue involves another co-worker that I am friends with and my merchandising manager. I was pissed off when I found out that the manager lied on me to my co-worker about something he didn’t see me do. He pulled her aside and said that he saw me on my cell phone in the fitting room and that he would keep an eye on me. If he saw the phone out again, then I’m done. My co worker looked confused and asked why is he explaining this to her and did he tell me about it. He said he did, but he lied and never warned me about anything. He also gives me stares at times while working, and is flirtatious to my co-worker. He’s a back-stabber and will smile in your face like everything is fine. I felt uncomfortable because he’s sharing false accusation about me behind my back to another co-worker, which is very un- professional. He also told lies to other managers about others and myself, so I’m worried about my job right now. I also feel this has alot to do with my hours being reduced, since I work 20 or more hours every week.
Is this a sign of harrassment in the workplace? Should I talk to the head boss or the corporate office about this?
View the answer(s) below…
Legally not harassment, speak to boss or HR at your own risk. This manager did nothing illegal. He told someone that he perceives as your friend about something he allegedly thinks he saw you do as a way to give you a warning without actually having the courage to confront you himself. That is not harassment, that is not illegal.
At worst this manager does not have the courage to speak with your directly — at best he is giving you an informal warning. Again neither is harassment or illegal.
The legal issue you need to be concerned about is that an at will (not under union or written contract) employee can be terminated for any or no reason, with or without notice, even if the manager is mistaken. The only protection that at will employees have is discrimination (age, sex, race, ethnic origin, color, nationality, religion, disability, marital or military status) look at http://www.eeoc.gov
As for managers being back stabbers, liars, etc. in this current horrid economy where the employer is in the drivers seat deal with all managers/employers as if they are certified back stabbers and liars. All employees can do right now is to do your job to the best of your ability, follow the employer’s rules, and not complain.
Unfortunately, what @CatLaw says is true, but you can do something to get yourself into a protected class. That way if you get fired or they in any way treat you differently because of your protected status, it will be retaliation and that IS illegal.
To find out more about protected classes and what you can do to make yourself a bulletproof employee, download Work Laws Exposed.