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Do I have a suit for retaliation, harassment, something?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kristin
  • Start date Start date

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K

Kristin

Guest
I am a Ph.D. candidate at a state university in Pennsylvania; in addition, I am currently employed as a curriculum developer (classified “faculty”) for a Center, located within the University.

In late July, I accompanied my director and another coworker on a trip to present our curriculum to various federal officials. I discovered, to my horror, that these individuals were lying to federal officeholders, grossly misrepresenting the amount of work that had been done and the capacity to which the curriculum could perform. I have also discovered gross abuses of funds and diversion of University resources towards an unapproved, corporate entity, whose articles are filed under the names of these two individuals.

Since my return to the office in July, when I expressed my concern over the ethical ramifications of what I witnessed, I have been the subject of harassment and defamation. (Among other things, these individuals have implied that I am under some Svengali-like influence of my "evil" husband and, at the same time, have labeled me "Joan of Arc.") In addition, my office space has been taken away from me and I have been literally run from the building (I now do all my work from my home.) Once involved in every aspect of the program, I have been entirely isolated and receive no communication concerning process or development. Overnight, I went from prized employee to office pariah.

I will note, too, that I sustained a repetitive motion injury in January, due to an inappropriate workspace. I am still recovering from this injury, and have had to suggest and arrange appropriate accommodations myself.

I have been to various internal authorities, but my complaints have so far been dismissed -- after all, I have been working for the University for only a year -- my Director has been there 20.

The harassment continues, and I am considering filing a lawsuit. I am interested to discover whether such a suit is viable.

Thanks!
 


H

Henry T

Guest
As there is Federal Money involved the Federal False Claims Act may help -- and it provides for triple damages.

I suggest you see a lawyer who does employment matters and go over the important details. AttorneyPages.com lists many who provide a free initial consultation.
 
A

Attorney_Replogle

Guest
Definitely consult with an experienced labor lawyer near you. Also, immediately start to write down, as if you were journaling, everything that happened to you. The names, dates, witnesses, documents, who said what to whom, etc. This will be your best witness for you. Do not rely on your memory. As for your repetitive stress injury, that is a workers' compensation matter. Make sure you retain a workers' compensation attorney for that injury alone. However, you should retain him or her after you consult and retain a labor lawyer. The reason is that you do not want the university or others to limit your loss to the bodily injury only, which they will try to do. Good luck!

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Mark B. Replogle
 

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