Ok for salary, not ok for hourly...

Myself, and four other employees of a large company were suspended without pay approximately 3 weeks ago.. pending termination. We were brought up on charges of misconduct, and violating the code of business conduct. We were doing something that was condoned by our direct supervisor, and this person often helped hand in hand with us in the matter that resulted in our suspension. We had no idea (employees) that what we were doing was wrong, and asked our supervisor if it was permissible and they said yes. Our supervisor still recieves a paycheck and is going to work. We may be taken back we hear, but on conditions that if any unsatisfactory condition should arise upon or after our return to work for a period of one year, we will be terminated. This is very frustrating to me as I have a wonderful record with the company, and have never recieved an unsatisfactory appraisal. I was looking forward to transferring somewhere else in the company, only now I fear that after my 1 year probation, I will have this follow me throughout my career. Is this defamation of character? Our supervisor seems to have escaped unscathed, and we are not being payed while the company dawdles withs its decision.