Code of Conduct for Management???

[frani810]

What is the name of your state? PA

Although I live in PA, I work in Trenton, NJ. I have written of my situation in my previous thread "Insubordination" Can somebody out there tell me if there are any civil codes or any guidelines at all for conduct and behavior of management toward employees. The management can do whatever they want, right or wrong (see my posting). How far are their tactics allowed and who watches and regulates them? I need to know this in defense of myself.

Fran

 

[Beth3]

No, there are no laws like that.

There are state and federal laws which prohibit certain kinds of discrimination, require safety standards, prohibit fiscal mismanagement, fraud, tax evasion and so forth but there is no code of conduct for members of management any more than there is one for employees in general.

 

[hmmbrdzz]

Yes there are laws like that. There are state and federal laws which prohibit certain kinds of discrimination, require safety standards, prohibit fiscal mismanagement, fraud, tax evasion and so forth, and this has everything to do with how management is suppose to conduct themselves with their employees. It's not called a code of conduct, though. In layman's terms it's called employment law.

hmmbrdzz

 

[Beth3]

Once again, there are NO laws which specify a code of conduct for management. If you read fran810's other posts, you'll see she is not asking about discrimination, safety regulations, and so forth. She is quite literally asking about a code of conduct - it does not exist in any legislation or statutes whatsoever.

 

[frani810]

Hi Beth,

Maybe he's alluding to my issues falling under such stated laws. What do you think? Then, the issue would be how to go about proving, for example, discrimination or whatever?

 

[Beth3]

To have the basis of a claim for discrimination, the employer's adverse actions must be BASED on a protected characteristic of the employee: age (if over 40), race, religion, national origin, handicap, pregnancy, veteran status, or disability. At the State level, a few States have added several other protections, typically marital status and/or sexual orientation.

Unless the boss singled you out for more severe treatment that other similarly situated employees would receive BECAUSE of one or more of these factors, it's not prohibited discrimination. It is however extremely unfortunate and unconscionable.

 

[frani810]

I can't tell for sure what the basis is. I can tell you for sure this: I am a single, white, female, living with my father, no children. I am of Sicilian descent. It is very common for me to be compared to those who are married and supporting their dependents. The fact that I am subjected to my boss mistreating me as harshly and severely and aggressively as he does, and the fact that he disperses my work responsibilities to other coworkers is a strong cause for me to think that he is forcing me out. As I said, the severity and harshness is very unique to me. I do not witness such handling with any of my other coworkers.

There are many things taking place in my department. And, I know for sure, that my boss is being pressured to continuously downsize. I see him protecting and sheltering the existing staff. I wonder why I am not provided with the same sense of security. I am handled with such an aggressive and threatening approach; he is obviously distrustful of me. He implements a tyranny and dictatorship style upon me.

I feel that he has cut me off from all communication and workflow only to dull my expertise and set me up for dismissal for poor work quality. (You see, prior to him, I held a lot of responsibility in my position and had the autonomy, knowledge-base, and authority to handle some things.) Trust me when I say that this behavioral practice has been going on for years between us and now it is worsening. The #2 person that I answer to has a vengeance of me. And funny, #2 and I used to be friends.

No matter how I look at it, it is evident that he is forcing me to resign. For some reason, he will not let me go with dignity. All I ask for is to collect unemployment; he refuses. He says he needs the position but takes me out of everything and disperses my work to others, and mistreats me. What am I to think? I am only left to think the obvious.

 

[Beth3]

My hunch is that he is treating you badly because he is threatened by you - that is, your knowledge of the business, your skills, expertise, etc. Sadly, it wouldn't be the first time an insecure boss has treated a knowledgeable subordinate badly to try to get him or her to resign, rather than develop a positive relationship and make good use of his or her experience.

Only you can determine if that is the case or if he has singled you out because of a protected characteristic. If he treats other female subordinates reasonably, then chances are he has a dislike of you personally and that's not against the law.

I hope you are actively looking for a new position rather than wait to be forced to resign or be fired. It's unfortunate to have to leave a job you have enjoyed because of a nasty boss but it's better to leave on your own terms and for a new position. And very preferable to find a more pleasant work environment than to be subjected to this treatment every day.

Good luck.

 

[frani810]

Thanks Beth. . . just wish there were jobs out there

 

[Beth3]

Just keep plugging away at it. An opportunity WILL come along but you need to be persistent and positive. Good luck.

 

[hmmbrdzz]

In response to the note, "Once again, there are NO laws which specify a code of conduct for management. If you read fran810's other posts, you'll see she is not asking about discrimination, safety regulations, and so forth. She is quite literally asking about a code of conduct - it does not exist in any legislation or statutes whatsoever"
==============================================
She is not "quite literally" asking about a code of conduct on any of her posts related to her job situation.

Here is an original post by fran810.

What is the name of your state? PA

Regarding my last 2 posts, how do I find out what the specific laws are to protect an employee? I work in a different state, so how do I know what laws I fall under? Also, how do I go about finding an attorney for employment law. I did a search in my area and there were no results.

This is a nasty situation that I have. My boss is very vicious and harsh with me. His handling of me is very provacative in that he always approaches in an authoritative and threatening mannerism. He is harrassing me and threatening my position; and he insists that it is nothing personal. I am a reactor; and I feel that he is messing around with me personally, I am the person holding my position.

He is lending out my job responsibilities to other coworkers holding other specific positions. Forgive me, but how is this not personal.

Any advice on this will be most welcome.
==============================================

She has posted several times and has asked for help on how to protect herself on a job against a nasty employer. She has also stated she's interested in finding an attorney and has admitted she's a "reactor".

If someone is a "reactor", they should learn to not react quickly (and by the way, never admit this characterization of your personality to an employer you're having problems with), and they should learn to discern the difference in personally hurt feelings and unlawful employment practices. This can be accomplished by making a commitment to learn about your job's policies and procedures and by learning who watches who in the world of employment and who enforces what. If you're unfamiliar with these types issues yet smart enough to use this site and request help several times, you're smart enough to take that same time and go read something that will help you define these things, or that will help you get along with a bad boss, or that will help you move on to another job. I'm sorry to get "tough", but if you were "reacting" like this at work and I were your boss, I'd be shuffling your responsibilities onto someone else, too. And if I'm the boss, then I would probably know how to do it without facing internal or external trouble from you. Knowledge is power. Go read.

hmmbrdzz

 

[frani810]

Any advice on what I can read up on?

I don't fully understand everything; however, I can tell you that I am hurt for sure, mortally wounded. . . I have been written up for insubordination since writing to you last.

I don't understand why my responsibilities are being taken from me . . . aside from my reacting, the answer has never been provided to me. . .

Anyway, my boss is justifying his actions by marring my work record ( he has more complaints about me than carter's has pills )

I have been working nearly 30 years and have never been written up once! I am a perfectionist and meticulous in all that I do; always following all the rules . . . but under this administration, this is all wrong!

I agree that my boss can change anything that he wants . . . he is the boss. I feel that I am handled in a most unprofessional manner and detest his method of handling me. I am a reasonable and rational person given any intelligent and sound explanation to anything. I have been written up for questioning him to the point where I'm not even allowed to know why I'm doing or not doing things anymore.

Anyway, I'll await your thoughts on this and if you can refer me to any articles or literature to read that may help, I would appreciate it.

I would like to post documentation to my personnel file on my behalf. I don't know what good it would do, but I feel I need to make my side of the story known. I feel I am an innocent person.

 

[frani810]

Also - Beth, if you are still available. . .

I think you told me that you have HR experience???

I am interested in posting some statements to my file in testimony to my skills and ability to perform my job. . . and describing what practices have been taking place all in an effort to tell my side of the story . . .

What are your thoughts on this??? Is it worth the time and effort? Can it accomplish anything?

 

[hmmbrdzz]

Hi Fran: I was composing a list of things to send to you, and then suddenly I noticed your note had been edited!!

Anyhow.... these are some good sites to read (and to learn about the "making of a workforce" and how employers get rid of those who don't comply with policy). I think I also supplied you some other reading sites on your other note. But here are some more.

As far as the questions you've posed here, I don't feel comfortable in advising you regards anything with your work, as I am not an employment law attorney.

Hope everything is going OK for you.

http://www.llnl.gov/llnl/02employment/PPPM/D_EmployeeConduct.htm#D_top

http://careerplanning.about.com/cs/bosscoworkers/

http://www.eeoc.gov/


Good luck


hmmbrdzz

 

[frani810]

thanks for your time hmmbrdzz. . . may I ask what your background is?