Supervisor lied

[donnascarlet]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

When I came into work today I was informed by a coworker that our boss had brought her and another employee in the office and told them that they were not to be doing school work on union time. They have been taking classes for approximately two years and have been doing this. They apparently pushed the dept head about how she found this out and she told them that I went to the head of personal and told her. That is an out and out right lie. I did not do that. I emailed the dept head asking her to explain and she said she was too busy today to do this. I then emailed the head of personal and asked her if she agreed or disagreed and if I did it when, etc. Neither one got back to me before the end of the day. What recourse can I take? They recently sited me for union work on co time and I am beginning to wonder what is going on. This is a county owned hospital.

 

[racer72]

This is a union issue, not a legal issue. You need to contact a union steward or representitive for your concerns.

 

[cbg]

How have you been damaged by this statement? That's not a rhetorical question.

P.S. I don't believe it is unreasonable for them to tell the other workers not to do school work on company time, no matter how long it may have been permitted in the past.

 

[donnascarlet]

I feel I have been damaged by this as word is spreading that I did this and as a senior officer in the union this is not good for me. I am losing my credibility.

 

[cbg]

Unfortunately, your feelings that your credibility may have been damaged is not enough to give you any kind of legal case. (That's why I asked.) You have to be able to show ACTUAL damages...at least, in a case like this you do...before you have any cause for a legal suit.

 

[Iceman1800]

I live in Mi also. As a Union steward, I can tell you that you can file charges at the Labor Board if they refuse to tell you who made the statement against you. Give them a week to answer you, if they don't file charges. Other than that, not much you can do. The company can ask workers not to do homework on company time. A couple of years is not long enough to establish past practice.

 

[MrsSmith]

just reviewing all this out of curiosity

I live in PA. I might be reading this wrong - but the last comment supplied implies that she isnt being told who said this and she can contact union people...But when I first read her scenario, it appeared that this lady is blaming her as being the one who said something she didnt (to the two people called in her office about doing homework) I think as long as a person is doing their job they ought to be able to do homework. It's not like they are reading the newspaper or taking a nap (which I've heard many a story about!) So, then the accused tries to question the lady herself as to why she would have supplied her name and the lady blows her off and doesnt have time to respond. That's how I read it. Meanwhile the two people are angry with (blamed person) which can start the domino effect.

I also read something about establishing ACTUAL damages - can you give a for instance as to what constitues ACTUAL damages -would that include being fired or suspended without pay - ??

The way it looks it seems like blaming someone for making a statement (whether she did or didnt) creates a bad morale in the work place which could be the start of getting rid of someone. All this lady who called the two into her office had to do was impose her rule if need be but say this is newly implemented and not give a person's name out as the cause for the action taken.

I remember some issues with people's cell phones going off in a call room.... it was aggravating... but no union just a boss who didnt do anything about it - I also dont think doing homework (which we all love doing!) is hurting anybody but that's just my opinion - unless they arent carrying their workload because of it.

Interesting, though.

 

[ortdude]

I am a vice president of my union in the federal sector. I just wanted to chime in on the past practice issue. The fact that they have been allouwed to do this school work on union/company (I read conflicting statements on this) time for some time now, does establish a past practice, and for the agency to suddenly decide that the employee can no longer do this, is a violation. The agency needs to notify the union of the proposed changes in working conditions, and the union will decide if they want to negotiate the change.