Is this retaliation
The administrative staff asked for a meeting with two owners to voice our concerns of needing help. We were down two people in our dept due to downsizing and couldn't keep up the pace. We also asked why our dept was more closely monitered to be following the make up time rules when we had been observing other dept not following rules laid out in the employee's hand book.
Our follow up meeting 4 weeks later was bittersweet. The owners, the HR manager and our manager met with us to announce that they had hired a receptionist, however, we had better work very hard to make up her pay and that if we complained any more, our hours would be changed and we would be made to punch the time clock. We were also told that the owners never wanted to be ganged up on again as in the first meeting. We are to mind our business and not concern ourselfs with any other employee.
Answers (1)
Whether or not what you describe is retaliation, if you are "employees at will" there is no reason why your employer cannot act in this manner. In Vermont, you can be fired (and the employer can act as you describe) unless you are unionized, an employee handbook prohibits what the employer is doing, or you fit in one of the other exceptions provided by law. See my articles at
http://www.kohnrath.com/practiceareas/employment-law.htm
posted by Roger E. Kohn | Aug 21, 2007 01:03 AM [EST]
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