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I've come to quickly appreciate what a popularity contest 'at will' employment jobs are and certainly see the benefit of being under union protection so I guess I've become pro-union.
We'd had a couple years of a narcissistic bully boss that brought the morale tempo way down with the exception of his clique fellowship and many of us had hoped that a new boss would come in on a permanent basis and bring back the environment that we used to have when it was actually fun to be at work. Fairly recently, there was a pretty big management shakeup that turned over most of the office except for a couple of us. This was due to numerous corporate complaints about a the bully boss department head and some inappropriate conduct between a couple of staff members that probably went on longer than it should have because the department head didn't want to believe it (i.e. affair level stuff).
In the end and as another matter from what I described above, I was termed with and because, of a supervisor who reports to me for some alleged respectful workplace treatment that he was accused of. I don't believe there were any disrespectful workplace issues and I think we have enough employee statements to support that but the company I worked for seems to have little interest in taking a second look at our cases. The supervisor who worked for me and I believe it was an effort by two of his employees that he'd had work performance discipline issues with who used the only option available to them, corporate complaint line as their effort to get back at him. In the process they made some outrageous claims against him that got the attention of top management. Important to note that there had been no warnings and good performance reviews to this point in time and I will dearly miss my $90k salary. It will be difficult for me to replace now as a 56yo cauc male. I'd spent years with this company to get where I was so am a little bitter that it could end as suddenly and the way that it did.
I don't know that I will do anything but do think about lawsuit because I feel emotionally damaged somewhat by the bully boss and also defamed by the failure to control actions of a subordinate. That compounded by the fact that there were no performance warnings given by my new temp supervisor but it seems in the world of "at will" employment, they can do pretty much anything they want at anytime so long as your civil rights aren't infringed upon.
Sorry you were let go. however, terms like "bully boss" and the like aren't definitions. Just because you felt "emotionally damaged (huh?) doesn't mean you have a legal case. Heck, I feel "emotionally damaged" waiting in long lines during the holiday season.
Good luck finding another position. You need to apply now wile there isn't a gap on your resume.
FYI, didn't you now that you could be let go at anytime? I think everyone needs to be somewhat emotionally prepared for that and have adequate savings. Knowing this is one of the reasons why I don't concern myself with if my employer "values" me or other ludicrous concerns. Whatever they think doesn't matter. I can be gone tomorrow.
ETA: Were you making a side comment about being a "56yo cauc male?" since you mentioned your race, I hope you weren't implying that "cauc males" have issues getting employment because of anything involving people of color. I hope that's not what you were implying.
Last edited by charlygal; 02-08-2014 at 05:02 PM..
I get some emotional distress from the line at Walmart but it's not lasting and as soon as I get outside and make my escape from the checkout line, instant relief and joy prevail. :-)
Having to live under the rule of a despot on the other hand and return to it day and day so long as you like a paycheck is a little like bootcamp where they break you down and build you back up only in this case, there is no structure to build you back up and you're on your own. Not to say it's long lasting damage but it is damaging. Anyway, thanks for the reply and your good wishes. I don't know ETA but... my comment had no racial implication whatsoever. Just a point that didn't need to be a point that of the protected classes, I am in a minimal bracket and my concern is in not being able to get my way back to my prior wage, anytime soon. My comment about the Union stemmed from the fact that I'd been in one previously and things like this didn't happen to union members. Consequently, the perks in my experience are all gone so there really is no longer a valid bait to move from union membership to salary where your fate may be a moment away. lol
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I have supervised both non-union and union employees, and at one time people in two different unions. All they can do is demand a conference with the person being disciplined and union rep/shop steward, but if the union has no actual power to prevent an employee from being hired for cause. I suppose the manager/supervisor might have better documentation of the performance leading to the firing in order to satisfy the union, but union employees still get fired. Disrespectful workplace issues are more likely to get people fired without warnings or a second chance, but there should be an investigation with any witnesses being interviewed before a decision is made.
To replace your theoretical 90k salary in a union job, you will have to be a "hands on" blue collar person and work O.T.. If you were salary (as you say), you were management / exempt. I don't see you switching to blue collar just to join a union.
At will employment is just that. From what you described there is nothing you could take action on.
Unions are not all good either. They take money for protection...hmmmmm reminds me of some other category of people..
As much as I hate abusive employers, unions are no better.
To replace your theoretical 90k salary in a union job, you will have to be a "hands on" blue collar person and work O.T.. If you were salary (as you say), you were management / exempt. I don't see you switching to blue collar just to join a union.
At will employment is just that. From what you described there is nothing you could take action on.
Unions are not all good either. They take money for protection...hmmmmm reminds me of some other category of people..
As much as I hate abusive employers, unions are no better.
And many of the things that unions fought for were codified in law - Overtime, shorter work weeks, safer conditions, minimum wages, etc.
I have mixed feeling regarding unionized labor. They work in numbers. When employers actually feel threatened by the possibility of a plant unionizing, yes, they are able to through their weight around. Today, it's very easy to disband a union. Sell the company, take your money, and invest it in another (preferably non union) business. Even if your plant is unionized, unions don't possess the power they once did. Simply tell them it's your way, or the work goes somewhere else. Yes, those workers will gladly accept a 50% cut in wages/bennies vs the alternative.
Unions benefited non union workers 20 years ago. The non union company had to at least pay you enough to keep you from drifting off. Today, the union jobs may not even pay enough to lure in the lowest paid of non union workers. I did some job searching over the past couple weeks. I was shocked at the low wages being paid for unionized general labor workers. In the neighborhood of 12-13 bucks an hour. LOL, I remember when unionized general labor workers were getting 15 bucks an hour. That was about 10 years ago! Today's union worker has lost much of their earning power, and that's not even taking into account inflation.
These days, the best form of protection comes by being the best possible worker your company could ask for. Be the guy/gal that no company wants to see walk out the door. They will treat you right, and maybe even pay you right if you're good enough. The problem rests with the average/sub par worker who can't be counted on to deliver results.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigDaveyL
And many of the things that unions fought for were codified in law - Overtime, shorter work weeks, safer conditions, minimum wages, etc.
Most folks today take for granted the benefits that unionized labor have afforded us. Union bashers in particular. As unions have continued their decline, we have also seeing a corresponding decline in pay for many of these jobs. Business owners don't always treat folks well out of the goodness of their hearts. Most do it because they know folks will leave if they treat them like money making slaves. If they can find a way to pay you less, many will. And when one company starts underpaying, the others must follow suit in order to stay competitive. It's called "the race to the bottom", and we all lose when we cross the finish line.
And many of the things that unions fought for were codified in law - Overtime, shorter work weeks, safer conditions, minimum wages, etc.
Back when employers and unions acted like thugs by beating each other down in the streets. Those achievements are done & unions served their purpose. Now the unions are just blind shills for the democratic party and concerned with two things....pensions & paying memberships. They are corrupt, just like politicians and just like many employers. No heros in this race folks.........they all the same, only now the methodologies are different.
Back when employers and unions acted like thugs by beating each other down in the streets. Those achievements are done & unions served their purpose. Now the unions are just blind shills for the democratic party and concerned with two things....pensions & paying memberships. They are corrupt, just like politicians and just like many employers. No heros in this race folks.........they all the same, only now the methodologies are different.
Not all unions are corrupt. You're overgeneralizing. Many unions and employers are working out well. Many are also failing.
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