Not sure who the governing body is in the US but here in Ontario Canada it's legislated both provincially and federally under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code and I'm sure you have the same protection at some level.
It should be worded along the lines of:
Under the Code, employers must prevent or stop harassment in the workplace. Human rights complaints under the code are handled by (governing tribunal). Targeted workers or others have the right to file an application with the (governing tribunal) . Employers cannot penalize or threaten to penalize a worker who has filed a complaint.
Don't let this go.
Regards, kd
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"The Greatest Possession We Have is The 24 Hours Ahead Of Us"
Well technically they made up a few excuses as to why I was fired but I can bet you 100% that it's because I complained about being harassed. The owner is a pig and the guy doing the act was a pig and is Mexican probably illegal and the owner told my boss he didn't want me on the property. Because he probably doesn't want his employee to be deported. This is why I didn't want to say anything. Do you know how long it took me to get a job? Forever. Because of my background. And they don't drug test. It makes me feel terrible about myself.
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"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
ditto Big V.
Your boss made a huge blunder.
Under the law he is obligated to investigate all claims of sexual harrassment,
by firing you he put his head in the noose.
Go see a lawyer, and good luck
by the way....how are you feeling these days?
. ...4 days!?.. ......that sounds like a well deserved 'de-compress' so far....I guess it's up to you if you want to keep that pace,,, or do the 'next right thing'
.........my impression is you have a good idea what to do,,when yer decide to do it
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...gawd,,,please don't let me -ever- forget why I came here in the first place!!(my 'senility' prayer)
Call a attorney, most will listen to the brief description of your situation for free over the phone and then let you know if they feel you have a case to be pursued. I venture to say you might very well. If the compliant was documented in any way at all it surely will help and if the firing was within a short time frame from that compliant.... you stand to win a solid case. Not an attorney, but have dealt with the legal system from both sides of the court room.
First of all, all the people who are saying you should speak to a lawyer are right.
Instead of indulging your depression, get a notebook, and write down what happened.
Write down dates and describe how you were harassed. If you go the legal route, you will need that information.
Write down the name of any witnesses.
The person who fired you is wrong. It is called retaliation.
Next, quit indulging your depression. Yes, yes, there is no parallel to one addict helping another, but it is also time for you to see a real, licensed therapist and get help for your depression. The depression is driving the urge to use.
Next, get the fuck up off your couch, go to meetings, call yoru friend in the program, and network and see about getting another job.
If you relapse, you go the next day and pick up a white key tag right away. If you lose your job, even if it is not your fault, get the fuck up and make a job out of searching for a job.
Yeah, it is crummy that you have bills to pay and no income. So what? Take action and do the next right thing. No excuses.
Eeeks i gotta says sometimes we do need to be told what we can do to resolve our issues, joes post and others have given you a few good suggestions, follow up Liz.
,,,
