[Crook32]

As I have mentioned before I am having work problems. There has been discrimination, harassment, and retaliation over the last few years. I didn’t get a raise last year and probably won’t get one this year. I have been singled out constantly and there is a bad double standard. Should I hire a lawyer? I want to fight but am worried that I don’t have the energy. Plus I am not sure I want my life put under a microscope more than it is now.

Has anyone been successful in fighting their employers when it comes to this stuff? Or will I just be wasting my money?

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry you're struggling, Crook32 I guess it's your choice. However, if you have to go as far as hiring a lawyer to deal with this, perhaps at this point it would be better to just find another job and a better workplace. Can you afford it? Are you on disability at the moment? I'm so sorry you have to deal with this

[Crook32]

My pdoc and T both say they would fill out the paperwork to put me on disability but I have been reluctant. I like the work I do so I want to stay even though it is not the healthiest thing for me. I know I will most likely have to leave though. Part of me though doesn’t want them to win and me just leaving is them winning. Plus I have problems with injustice and I know they have wronged me and I want justice.

[tecomsin]

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

I'm so sorry you're struggling, Crook32 I guess it's your choice. However, if you have to go as far as hiring a lawyer to deal with this, perhaps at this point it would be better to just find another job and a better workplace. Can you afford it? Are you on disability at the moment? I'm so sorry you have to deal with this

That's also what I would say. Your working conditions could potentially get worse in terms of retaliation etc. if you bring a lawyer into it and it is also a very long, slow, expensive process.

[Skeezyks]

In years past (back when I was a real person) I had occasion to work with attorneys on a regular basis. And I would have to say my experience has been lawyers are in business to make money. (That's nothing against them. It's simply a statement of fact.) If a particular attorney feels your case can contribute to their income, they'll take it. Otherwise it's likely they won't. Or, in the alternative, they may take it on but they'll only do minimal work on it such as writing a threatening letter to your employer with the expectation that the possibility of litigation may scare your employer into giving you whatever it is you want. And, unfortunately, while the threat of litigation can certainly be of concern, especially to a small company that can ill afford it, it's also not likely to endear you to the company long term. My personal opinion is that most people who have not had a lot of 1st hand experience working with attorneys think they can & will accomplish a lot more than is likely in most cases.

[Wonderfalls]

Also you have to have a specific complaint to get a lawyer to take your case. If it's an EEOC problem, they have to approve it first and if it's a result of your having a disability, you should probably talk to the ADA people. If it's just a ****** workplace then join the club. Most states allow companies to fire at will; this one seems to be trying to get you to quit on your own.

[~Christina]

Once you bring a lawyer to the mix you need to have a new job to go to immediately as your current employer can say you stole a pack of post it notes and fire you.

I would just find a new job that is a healthier head space.

I get wanting to get back at a shyt employer but do you really want to have to go through something that will probably not be worth a dime once the lawyer is paid??!

Hope you do what’s best for you.

[Unrigged64072835]

Unless that lawyer could get you an ironclad stipend that would set you for the rest of your life, probably not.

[TheSeaCat]

Do not involve a lawyer; trust me I've been in your shoes and I was talking to a lawyer the brother of one of my ex's and even he told me it was a bad idea to involve a lawyer. Realistically he said there was very little he could do since my employment was at will; legally they could get away with firing you because you had booger hanging out of your nose. My best advice is to get those resumes out and get out of the current situation you are in.

Some states are even right-to-work and at will employment. Jobs just aren't as secure as they once were.

[Pookyl]

I did consult with a lawyer and was advised that because my employer had been very generous when they let me go (true) that bringing a lawyer visibly into the mix would be counterproductive. The lawyer gave me tips over the phone and it was free and ended well. I’ve not felt the need for legal advice since.

[Pookyl]

I do want to say that I had a great relationship with my employer. It’s just that my role was incompatible with mania. 🙂

[Crook32]

I think the plan is just to use the lawyers to get the accommodations that I was denied before and to let know about the retaliation, discrimination, and harassment but not to sue them. Not really looking for litigation right now. I just need some help getting them to quit this double standard they hold me to.

I agree with the others. It won't get you what you want, and will antagonize them.

Yes, I think this even "just" about getting the accommodations.

It would be poking the bear. I think energies would best be devoted to finding another job.

Yeah, it's not fair. It's not right. But *you* will be the one who will end up "paying" one way or another, even if it's "only" in time and energy. (But don't kid yourself, it would be everything.) Most protections are an illusion.

It is much easier to find a job when you have one, and extremely stressful to try to find one while unemployed and up against it.

I know it sucks. But it's reality. Many ssssss

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

I agree with the others. It won't get you what you want, and will antagonize them.

Yes, I think this even "just" about getting the accommodations.

It would be poking the bear. I think energies would best be devoted to finding another job.

Yeah, it's not fair. It's not right. But *you* will be the one who will end up "paying" one way or another, even if it's "only" in time and energy. (But don't kid yourself, it would be everything.) Most protections are an illusion.

It is much easier to find a job when you have one, and extremely stressful to try to find one while unemployed and up against it.

I know it sucks. But it's reality. Many ssssss

^^^ Very insightful advice! ^^^

I wish you well, Crook32.

[Tucson]

You are very angry about their mistreatement of you. I understand this. But I would not be too quick in getting yourself a lawyer. You need to think this through. Lawyers cost allot of money. They will not take your case unless they are going to make money on it. Also lets say that you get what you are looking for, a redress of your grievances. So what? What have you actually accomplished? If you remain working there, they will force you out one way or another. Are you going to sue them for that too, when it happens? Forget using them as a reference. Furthermore, if a prospective employer manages to find out that you had even attempted to sue your former employer, they are very unlikely to hire you.

I know this has been painful, unrewarding experience for you. So go find another, even better job. Pride in your case can turn out to be a very expensive luxury, one which will likely prove nothing. If you have not already alienated them, of course the fault not being yours, do not do anything to burn that bridge. Smile, say thank you, and then look for another job. Life is not fair. That is the way it is much of the time.

There is nothing personal here. You are taking this much too personally. Working for a company is a type of business transaction. You deliver them a sevice for a fee. When either one of you find that this business arrangement does not work any longer, then both of you have the option to walk away from this deal. So my advice is to just walk away by finding yourself another job that works better for you.

Oh yes, you also need to think of another cost related to your thoughts regarding a lawsuite. I am not talking about money here. I am talking about your mental health. This is more important than any other perceivable gain to be had through a lawsuite. Instead I think you should focus on taking better care of yourself. IOW when you find yourself in an abusive rekationship, just simply leave for greener pastures elsewhere.

FWIW

PS Here is a *rhetorical* question. If they have been treating yiu so poorly, why did you stay there working for them? Why did you let it get this bad? I am sure you have your reasons for this.

[tecomsin]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

^^^ Very insightful advice! ^^^

I wish you well, Crook32.

I agree. It's a much better use of time on this planet to look for another job instead of looking for a lawyer.

[Lefty Seven]

Consult a lawyer and listen to what they have to say.

[luvyrself]

My brother is a highly respected litigator. His advice to me is always, you cant afford (either in terms of money or stress)to sue. Move on. That is what I would say to you. It is so much more important to find a healthy environment where you can thrive than putting even more stress on yourself. You may have to think outside the box in doing that. You are not going to last in an environment where the stress is causing hospitalizations. It gets to be a vicious circle. There is not just one thing you can do in life with your level of intelligence. Hugs!

[Crook32]

Just like I thought. A second year of no raise. I am still being punished for all the short term disability I took.