What to do?

[TSpeed]

What is the name of your state? PA

I know you want a condensed version but there is just so much going on.

I've had a miserable three years at my current job. They promised the world and I got a landfill of crap. Anywho, after going to senior managment regarding all the lies and inconsistencies I've gotten no where and there is nothing in writing (contract, employee handbook, harrassment policies, etc.). I even tried to go to the President but he won't return my calls.

After my boss was given a promotion, I took over Director of R&D/QC where I would have been department head (first female senior management in the history of the company) however, the company decided to change it's structure. No other department was changed, except for mine (my department was moved under manufacturing, when it used to be separate) and when I approached the subject, I was told the President wants it that way. Hello? Don't I deserve a better answer than that?

Physically and mentally I've gone down hill since then, had to go part time and was even told by my new manager that it's unfortunate but female managers are subservient to male management at Mallet and that's that. Huh? That's discriminatory, is it not AND the fact they do nothing about it shows negligence?

There is so much more to the situation, I can't begin to describe it all. I feel helpless and am having trouble even going to work b/c of how isolated and uncomfortable I feel.

Anyone else dealing with this?

 

[Beth3]

Do you have a legal question?

 

[TSpeed]

Is this harrassment or discrimination? People are not allowed to talk to me. Sales people introduce me as the little girl in the lab or their daughter b/c I'm so young, when in reality, I'm above all these people. Was told I get no raise b/c I had to go PT, yet every other PT person got a raise. I had my bonus taken away from me b/c I've sick from all of this. They hired in a new person over top of me, gave him my title, pay him more than me and covered his relocation and still have not been told what my position is.


Is this a legit complaint? I don't know whether or not to proceed with filing some sort of claim? I just want some advice. Sorry for not clarifying.

 

[Beth3]

An employer managing the business and the employees badly is not against the law. They're free to reorganize departments and reporting relationships if they wish to. However, if the're treating you less favorably BECAUSE you're female, then that is prohibited discrimination.

Since filing a sex discrimination complaint against your current employer with the State or the fed's is a big deal (although completely your lawful right to do so) and since from what you describe retaliation for doing so seems likely, I strongly advise you to consult with an employment law attorney to get an expert opinion on the strength of your claim before deciding what to do.

Good luck.

 

[TSpeed]

It's all b/c I'm a female and outperform the men. All the other females in the company are secretaries or technicians. I'm in no way a feminist or an egoist, I just want to be treated as an equal.

So, if they make it known female managers are to be subservient to males, that's okay and legal?

 

[cbg]

No, and no one said that it is. Please do not put words in anyone's mouth.

What Beth said is, although you are perfectly within your rights to file a complaint with the EEOC, since doing so is likely to cause you problems at work it would be wise to talk to an employment attorney first. No one said that what was happening to you is okay, and no one said that gender discrimination is legal.

 

[Beth3]

Thanks, cbg. TSpeed, that's exactly what I said.

If you are experiencing adverse employment action because of your gender, that is prohibited discrimination. You may file a complaint directly with your State's equal rights division or the federal EEOC. I'm simply suggesting that given what you've shared about your employer, things are work are likely to get even uglier once they receive notification that you've done so therefore you would be well advised to have an attorney in your corner before taking any action.

 

[TSpeed]

I didn't take it that way. I understand what you're saying. I didn't mean for you to tell me which direction to go or to put words in anyone's mouth. I just wondered if anyone else was dealing with a similar issue. If so and if it's illegal, what are the ways to go about dealing with it. I'm sorry I'm very touchy on the subject and just want it to go away. Can't even think clearly anymore. Again, I apologize.