Comments on: Help! Hostile, Depressing Work Environment – What To Do

By: Admin

Admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:22:34 +0000

@andi is dead on correct. Document, document, document. Go to the doctor, but have your doctor file a workers comp claim. That way they can't fire you as that would be retaliation. If they do fire you, go to the EEOC and file a claim. If you do quite, you should have no problem getting unemployment due to constructive discharge.

In employment law, constructive dismissal, also called constructive discharge, occurs when employees resign because their employer's behaviour has become so heinous or made life so difficult that they may consider themselves to have been fired.

Get yourself a copy of Work Laws Exposed. It will explain exactly what your rights are and how to plan out a strategy to become a bullet-proof employee and how to get legal revenge when your employer breaks the law.

By: rhino72032

rhino72032 — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:45:29 +0000

I would line more job interviews and call in sick to go on these interviews. Then when I had another job lined up, I give them the professional letter.

By: KCVelo

KCVelo — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:45:29 +0000

Don’t write a ‘nasty’ resignation letter, just tell the facts. Let them know how you feel.
What to tell you prospective employer during your interview? Tell the truth! Tell them, in a non-complaining manner, what the environment was like. Good luck.

By: andi

andi — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:45:29 +0000

boy do I know how you feel!!! and with the economy so bad a lot of people are too stressed and there is no work ethic anymore it seems.

so, I have been in HR for the past 10 years and I am really PRO the good low-paid employees who get dumped on, and have actually had a lawsuit myself in the past and won it.

first – you are not imagining any of it. it’s true and real.

second – unless you are rich, you need to be very careful on how you handle this.

when you arrive at the office have a smile, ask what you can do (in other words kiss ass) for all these big-ego’d jerks. as you smile, say to yourself "what a jerk – he/she’ll get his/hers.

if, in fact someone does abuse you – and that is what it is – you must keep a journal – date what you did and what they did and why etc.

after the certain jerk continues the behavior a few times, then you need to put in writing what happened, what you actually heard and viewed, and how it made you feel, and go to your supervisor.

but first….go to a doctor and tell them the stress you are being caused at work. ask them what to do??

when you go to the supervisor, tell him/her that you have gone to the doctor (after showing them the exact documentation of what has been done to you) and that the law clearly states that it is illegal to be abused by a coworker or supervisor or anyone on the job and that it is affecting your health.

if they do, in fact, fire you – then you are covered by unemployment. you told them about the abuse, they ignored it, and then they retaliated by firing you.

as you do these things – look seriously for something else. I would suggest a temp agency where you can discuss this situation and do temp until you find something good. sounds like you have good basic accounting skills which are in demand. at a temp job you don’t feel trapped and can stop it without remorse at any time.

NEVER write a nasty letter or talk nasty as you leave. DO NOT burn bridges if possible.

If there is one friend you have at this job, ask her to write a letter of recommendation to you – even if it’s just a coworker – stating that you are easy to work with, have a great work ethic, etc.

Good luck!

Andi, HR Certificated