[Jenn1fer82]

My bf supervisor is on a mission to make it his goal to give my bf a hard time and intimidate him so that maybe my bf would quit instead of having to fire him and get unemployment. We're from California and if anyone knows where we can go to protect our own rights please let us know.
My bf's employment is contracted through the city and he drives the cities bus and picks up people who has disabilities. He's been with the company for 3 years now.

This all started about a month ago where he went to complained that he's been getting his lunch after 5 hours into his shift. By law no one is suppose to take their lunch after 5 hours ( this is only what I was told). His boss told him that he was a liar right in front of the union representative. As my bf was being badgered the union guy didn't stand up for him whatsoever and just sat there listening. A week or two later it happened again where they had him take his lunch after 5 hours and since then things has been hell.

The boss said that months ago bf had skipped out on work and never called in, now he's getting a write up for it. My bf and I can't ever remember that far back to even remember if its true or not. Then on the day when my bf was told he was a liar and decided that it was best for him to not work because he was so upset that He couldn't drive. Well he's getting written up for that now and getting suspended this Friday, this incident happened about a month ago. Let me remind you that he decided not to work about a month ago and they are suspending him this week. Why are they just now deciding to take actions?

The boss has the nerve to tell my bf that they can use attendance as a reason to not give him unemployment. OMG!!!! I've never heard of a thing that a job will harass their employees this way. My bf is stressed out and feels that no matter what he does its all going down hill. He stood up for his rights but his boss doesn't want to hear from him, he doesn't want to deal with any of the problems.

My bf doesn't want to get any help right now and just want to deal things on his own. I went to my sister and her husband for help because my brother in-law is in management and he knows that in and outs of working with others and how it is with hiring and firing ppl. My bf got so upset that I had even spoke to others about this when he wasn't ready to tell anyone yet. I know I had messed up but I panicked. Recently I was got laid off and now waiting for approval for unemployment. I can't risk and wait for when my bf will get fired. These are very hard times.

[impulse]

Usually in a union, there's a designated mediator available to assist with such problems. Workers are also protected, generally speaking when communicating their "protected" rights under state or federal employment laws.

If there isn't a union mediator, your boyfriend feels comfortable with. He should schedule an appointment for a consultation with an employment attorney. During the interim he should save and/or ask for copies of anything he's asked to sign. He can also respond in writing on whatever he's asked to sign. If not already, obtain an employment handbook from HR, or talk with an HR representative.

Those three items are about all one can do.

[mgran]

PLEASE tell your boyfriend to fight this. The fact that he's being written up now is a sign that he's being badgered and harrassed, and he has a record of the meeting with the union rep, even if the rep wasn't supportive at the time.

I had excrutiating problems with my last boss, who was also trying to look for an excuse to sack me ... it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do (triggered a psychotic break in the end) but I got an out of court settlement of 5000 pounds, and all my outstanding holiday pay, over time, and notice (though I hadn't been able to give notice.)

It's worth his sticking to his guns, you don't want him to be let go with a bad reference, and without his severence pay.

My advice, he's in a fight, whether he likes it or not. If he hangs tough, the employer will have to pay. I don't know how your tribunal system works in the US, but here in the UK it really worked for me.