I got hired at a well known IT company in January to do the Data Center Tape Operations. It is a new facility so I am creating this job from ground up, and its demanding in walking stooping and reaching and maybe occasional 50 lbs of lifting but they assured me in the interview nothing more (I would never take a job that I can't do for my size).
Meanwhile, a shipping/receiving guy quit his job 2 weeks ago and we are really short handed. They put me back there to do his job, which entails constant lifting of boxes at least 50 lbs but many times I've had boxes I've had to push because they are so heavy. I have to move big pallets of equipment coming in (some of them holding big Data Center Racks), which can be several hundreds of pounds. I am 54 year old woman of 5 feet 4 inches. I am not designed for this work. friday my upper back began shooting pain. I reported it to one guy, but most people who could have come back to help left for the day or were busy playing on computers. One guy came back and helped or I would have been there until 7 pm.
Very upset about this. I haven't been able to do my normal job duties. One day I had about 200 boxes. Once I log them into the system I have to find a place in our storage areas for them. It's been awful. I don't understand this or how this can be legal. I want to help them out until they can get a permanent person but it could take weeks they said.
I'm one of only 4 women in this place. There are plenty of men that could be doing this but they put me in there. It almost feels like the manager is using me to make a statement to the upper management (which is not even located at our facility). This is a major computer company based in Texas, but our facility is elsewhere.
This sounds way beyond what should be required of an employee.
Would like any feedback if anyone is still minding this blog.
Cathyof WA3:27PM April 14, 2013
what about a new boss who doesn't know you yet, and takes the word of another employee in charge of another dept. re: your performance, attitude, etc.? This
boss believes this person's perception & has no idea that he
abuses power & shows favoritism to
his friends, giving them special consideration for prime
work assignments, vacations, etc. Without running to the boss like a 3rd grader, what can you do?? Until the new boss came, this person sat in his office, & milked the clock along w/his friends. Shouldn't a good boss take a 'wait & see' attitude & make up his own opinions about employees?
Jonahof CA9:42PM November 22, 2012
Irene, "hostile work environment" doesn't mean that your boss is hostile in the sense that we generally think of. It means that the hostility is based on your membership in a legally protected class (race, religion, sex, etc.).
Tom, an employer does not need a paper trail before firing you. Most employers like to have them anyway, though, so that they have proof in case the employee later alleges some form of illegal discrimination (i.e., that they were fired because of their race, religion, or so forth).
Alison Greenof DC9:36PM November 21, 2011
A boss is legally allowed to be a jerk but the law (depending on the state) places a limit on that too. The boss can't use discriminatory language against the protected class of people. He/she isn't legally allowed to disparage your character or workplace reputation. And he/she isn't allowed to retaliate against you if you report them for legal misconduct.
Based on my internet research, some states have or are working on hostile work environment legislation.
It is also important to keep all or as much legal documentation (allowed by law) given to you by the company, including your paycheck stubs. Plus, it's also important to document not only the details of all the projects you worked on, but your boss(es)' and coworkers' behavior if you felt that they legally stepped out of line.
Getting advice from an employment attorney about your workplace rights and what's legal and illegal in the workplace is a good idea as well. Legislation does change every so often so getting a consultation with an employment attorney every couple of years is not a bad idea also.
Irene of NY12:52PM November 21, 2011
5. Myth: An employer needs to warn you or at least give you a reason before firing you.
Alison
Does a employer need a "paper trail" in order to fire someone?
tomof PA10:21AM November 21, 2011
RPM, unless you have a contract that states otherwise (and most U.S. employees don't have contracts), your employer can fire you for anything they want -- hating the sound of your voice, not liking your shirt, etc. So if they don't like, say, something you were heard saying in the grocery store over the weekend, there's no law prohibiting them firing you for that.
Alison Greenof DC6:44PM November 20, 2011
Alison, how can non-offensive, non-violent speech be restricted outside of work environment and off of company time be restricted? If a manager orders an employee not to discuss something at work, that makes sense. Away from work though, how can this be restricted legally? Thanks!!!
RPMof CA11:20AM November 20, 2011
" If an HR rep hears information that SHE judges needs to be shared or used to address a situation, HER job obligates her to do that"
ಠ_ಠ
Andrew2:15AM November 17, 2011
Isn't it amazing how men never object to male pronouns being used as generics but get SOOOOO squirmy when female pronouns are used?
SAFof DC5:39PM November 16, 2011
Kim, yes, if you're non-exempt you do need to be paid for work outside your normal hours. If you're exempt, however, it falls under your regular salary.
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Cathy of WA 3:27PM April 14, 2013
Jonah of CA 9:42PM November 22, 2012
Alison Green of DC 9:36PM November 21, 2011
Irene of NY 12:52PM November 21, 2011
tom of PA 10:21AM November 21, 2011
Alison Green of DC 6:44PM November 20, 2011
RPM of CA 11:20AM November 20, 2011
Andrew 2:15AM November 17, 2011
SAF of DC 5:39PM November 16, 2011
Alison Green of DC 2:42PM November 16, 2011