Scared, need some advice

[trikermutha]

Document everything and keep in a safe place. Time , dates etc.

Some try the scare tactics to try to get more results.

Good Luck and suggest you look for employment elsewhere.

 

[wyliec]

Okay Rogue,

If you are serious, I take back what I said.

I suggest going to HR, and let them know what was said at the meeting.

A long story short, my boss and I get into a shouting confrontation. I almost lost it and I was going to make a second doorway into his enclosed office, using him as the template. There were 20 open cubicle offices, and believe me they were afraid of what would happen next. About a 1/2 hour latter, one of those in the open cubicle offices came by to say that I scared everyone there.

I then went to HR and told them what had happened, and that my boss had a habit of shouting at everyone. He was called to HR to tell his side. Then, we were both called to HR, and read the riot act, and we were told if that happened again, we were both fired, and would receive no retirement benefits that we had accrued.

If you are covered by a contract or in a union, don't bother to read what is next. I was actually told something similar to this, by HR, when I had the flare up with the boss.


"Unfortunately, getting fired without a reason can happen to just about anyone. In many cases, unless there is a contract or bargaining agreement, employees are considered covered under employment at will, which means your employer doesn't need a reason to fire you."

 

[carbonation]

Well, originally I thought this was a joke, but seems as though it isn't.
First: You are working from remote from home, logging in. Your employer has to provide internet service that meets their requirements, including speed and VPN protection for their data. You should not be expected to provide a pipeline for their use.
Second. If you lose your job, you won't immediately be homeless. That would take quite some time, and there are a lot of gates to go through before that happens, especially in light of the current situation. Get rid of that fear now.
Third. So your boss is a jerk. Many are, and I bet we've all had one and survived. If a jerk is over a group of people, it's likely that company will move that guy on as part of their corporate strategy. Peter Principle at work. I've been at my job 40 years. On my 15th manager. Last guy lasted 2 years. It will pass. If you are good at what you do, you'll be there after he is gone.
As far as a difficult life... A chat board about a vehicle is probably not the place to find what you need. You are still employed.. Use your benefits for some counselling, life coaching, or therapy. When you can deal with whatever you have emotionally, you can deal with other stuff that comes along because youl'll have the resources and strength to do so.
Fourth. Get a resume together, and start looking. Always have a plan B. My best friend just went through this. 35 years, same company. Downsized. He was devastated. Took a couple weeks for it to settle in, then acceptance, then anger. Got his stuff together, landed at Dell, assigned to aerospace doing cyber security, making more. He took a negative and turned into a positive. You can too.
Go get 'em tiger....

 

[Rogue Hawk]

Yes, this is not a joke. Thanks again for the advice. I remember about eight years ago we had a guy who just could not cut it technically. They had to make a 'paper trail' before they could let him go. It all has to be legal these days. My boss has not officially documented any of his displeasure with me. He threatened to fire me, but am I right not to worry because nothing is documented? Well, in two 1/2 weeks he will be gone. Then I will be free.

 

[wyliec]

Yes, this is not a joke. Thanks again for the advice. I remember about eight years ago we had a guy who just could not cut it technically. They had to make a 'paper trail' before they could let him go. It all has to be legal these days. My boss has not officially documented any of his displeasure with me. He threatened to fire me, but am I right not to worry because nothing is documented? Well, in two 1/2 weeks he will be gone. Then I will be free.

Unless you have a contract or are in a union, they can fire you without cause/reason. They can just say you are no longer needed.

Here is what they have to say in Illinois:

https://www.chicagoemploymentlawyer...july/illinois-is-an-at-will-employment-state/

 

[trikermutha]

Document everything until he is gone. Give him no excuse to fire you.

If you lip off that could give him a excuse to fire you.

You going to have to suck it up and dont show him that you are scared. They thrive on that!

 

[johnsimion]

Unless you have a contract or are in a union, they can fire you without cause/reason. They can just say you are no longer needed.

Here is what they have to say in Illinois:

https://www.chicagoemploymentlawyer...july/illinois-is-an-at-will-employment-state/

Agreed, but to clarify things -- an employee manual is considered a contract and both sides have to follow it. In my experience, a lot of employee manuals give employees certain rights even though there is no union and even though their situation would **otherwise** be employment at will. Also, if the employer is not firing you "for cause" (i.e. misconduct) they can't prevent you from getting unemployment. Having a bad internet connection never going to qualify as misconduct.

 

[bmccaffrey]

Agreed, but to clarify things -- an employee manual is considered a contract and both sides have to follow it. In my experience, a lot of employee manuals give employees certain rights even though there is no union and even though their situation would **otherwise** be employment at will. Also, if the employer is not firing you "for cause" (i.e. misconduct) they can't prevent you from getting unemployment. Having a bad internet connection never going to qualify as misconduct.

You are 100% correct!!!!

 

[canamryder]

Have you had your cable company come out and update the box on the outside of your house? My internet got worst and worst a couple years ago. I fought it for months. They came out and put in some newer items in box {condensers is what I think he called them} He said mine were two generations old. Since then all is real good. He didn't even come in the house to check other connections. No "splitters" were hooked up at that time. When they tell you to try rebooting your Modem/Router INSIST that they come out because...well I'm sure you rebooted plenty of times already. My cable company doesn't charge for outside repairs/upgrades.

 

[Rogue Hawk]

Well, he is gone. Not from the company, but from my department. My new supervisor is a reasonable, normal person. Old boss did bad mouth me to the new guy. I can only hope it won't have his desired affect.

 

[canamjhb]

Well, he is gone. Not from the company, but from my department. My new supervisor is a reasonable, normal person. Old boss did bad mouth me to the new guy. I can only hope it won't have his desired affect.

In my opinion, the old guy bad-mouthing about you to the new guy without any documentation just reflects poorly upon the old guy. Any good manager will take such workplace disenchantment with a grain of salt. Give your new manager and yourself a chance to overcome the sour grapes left by the departing jerk. Reading all this thread, the problem lies with your former manager and perhaps your company recognizes that. I would breathe a sigh of relief and consider the problem gone.... Jim