levathian860
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois
I believe my employer is engaging in retaliation and slander against me for making a workmen's comp claim. I work as a truck driver for Schneider National Carriers at a terminal based in Urbana, IL. I contacted my supervisor for treatment of a work related injury on September 22, 2008. The next day the loss prevention manager called me about my claim. He asked me to explain the accident and the activities involved with it. When I explained he suggested that I was making up the story. He informed me that if I did end up making a workmen's comp claim he would investigate it and if it was found to be fraudulent I would be fired and prosecuted. I told him I felt he was trying to harass me out of making the claim. He said he was not, but he continued to try to talk me out of making the claim. I ended up making the claim. I had to call a different person within my company to make the claim. I do not understand why this loss prevention person called me if only to harass me. I had been under the impression that I had to make the claim through him. I was examined for the injury and answered my questions regarding the incident but I have never heard anything regarding the investigation of fraud.
On December 1, 2008 I was at a terminal in Indianapolis, IN. I had just finished winter training which included a classroom portion and a driving portion. I got a very good review. I proceeded to the gate of the terminal and remembered that I had to get a permit for my truck. I needed to back up away from the gate so that it wouldn't be blocked. I put on my four way flashers and checked my mirrors and slowly began backing and turning. I noticed a van was behind me so I stopped. I waited approximently one minute and noticed the van was not moving. I backed up a few more feet to signal to the van that I was trying to get out of the way. I could see clearly that I wasn't close to the van. There was plenty of room for him to either pull forward and turn or back up. Again he did not move and I waited another minute and turned the truck off and got out. I started walking back and the man driving the van started yelling at me. I didn't understand what he was saying but I yelled back for him to move backward and signaled moving backwards with my hand. He still did not move. I went into the building and came back out a minute later and my truck had been moved and the van was gone.
The next day was my day off. The day after that when I got to work my supervisor informed me that the man in the van was a member of upper management at the company. He had informed the loss prevention manager of what happened. This guy was the same manager that harassed me about my workmen's comp claim. He had decided that I need to go to an unpaid remedial training course based on me backing up too close to the van. I was not allowed to do any paid work until I completed training. I asked to see a copy of the security video showing that I was too close, but I haven't received it. My manager was asked to fill out an "incident report" but he said nothing on the list of "incidents" fit what I had done. In March of 2008 I ran into concrete bumper and caused thousands of dollars worth of damages to the truck. I had a "preventable accident" was added to my work record. I was not required to go to remedial unpaid training at that time. In May of 2008 I hit a low bridge, but did not cause any damage to the trailer. An "incident with no damage" was added to my work record. I was not required to attend unpaid remedial training then either. Yet, I am required to attend training when I didn't do anything that qualifies as an "accident" or an "incident."
I believe this requirement is intentional retaliation on the part of the man driving the van and the loss prevention manager. Attending this training will be a black mark on my work record which will negatively influence future potential employers.
Any advice?
I believe my employer is engaging in retaliation and slander against me for making a workmen's comp claim. I work as a truck driver for Schneider National Carriers at a terminal based in Urbana, IL. I contacted my supervisor for treatment of a work related injury on September 22, 2008. The next day the loss prevention manager called me about my claim. He asked me to explain the accident and the activities involved with it. When I explained he suggested that I was making up the story. He informed me that if I did end up making a workmen's comp claim he would investigate it and if it was found to be fraudulent I would be fired and prosecuted. I told him I felt he was trying to harass me out of making the claim. He said he was not, but he continued to try to talk me out of making the claim. I ended up making the claim. I had to call a different person within my company to make the claim. I do not understand why this loss prevention person called me if only to harass me. I had been under the impression that I had to make the claim through him. I was examined for the injury and answered my questions regarding the incident but I have never heard anything regarding the investigation of fraud.
On December 1, 2008 I was at a terminal in Indianapolis, IN. I had just finished winter training which included a classroom portion and a driving portion. I got a very good review. I proceeded to the gate of the terminal and remembered that I had to get a permit for my truck. I needed to back up away from the gate so that it wouldn't be blocked. I put on my four way flashers and checked my mirrors and slowly began backing and turning. I noticed a van was behind me so I stopped. I waited approximently one minute and noticed the van was not moving. I backed up a few more feet to signal to the van that I was trying to get out of the way. I could see clearly that I wasn't close to the van. There was plenty of room for him to either pull forward and turn or back up. Again he did not move and I waited another minute and turned the truck off and got out. I started walking back and the man driving the van started yelling at me. I didn't understand what he was saying but I yelled back for him to move backward and signaled moving backwards with my hand. He still did not move. I went into the building and came back out a minute later and my truck had been moved and the van was gone.
The next day was my day off. The day after that when I got to work my supervisor informed me that the man in the van was a member of upper management at the company. He had informed the loss prevention manager of what happened. This guy was the same manager that harassed me about my workmen's comp claim. He had decided that I need to go to an unpaid remedial training course based on me backing up too close to the van. I was not allowed to do any paid work until I completed training. I asked to see a copy of the security video showing that I was too close, but I haven't received it. My manager was asked to fill out an "incident report" but he said nothing on the list of "incidents" fit what I had done. In March of 2008 I ran into concrete bumper and caused thousands of dollars worth of damages to the truck. I had a "preventable accident" was added to my work record. I was not required to go to remedial unpaid training at that time. In May of 2008 I hit a low bridge, but did not cause any damage to the trailer. An "incident with no damage" was added to my work record. I was not required to attend unpaid remedial training then either. Yet, I am required to attend training when I didn't do anything that qualifies as an "accident" or an "incident."
I believe this requirement is intentional retaliation on the part of the man driving the van and the loss prevention manager. Attending this training will be a black mark on my work record which will negatively influence future potential employers.
Any advice?
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