This Thursday I should know if I still have a job

@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
January 5, 2009 4:56pm CST
My boss is having a Management Committee meeting and told me not to come. Basically, from last July he has been so mean to me, knitpicking and doing everything to make me look so bad. He has literally reduced me to tears and my bp has raised so many times over him. The reasons are he found out that I have a part time job and demanded to know who I worked for, how many hours did I do and how much money I earnt. I refused to answer the questions and calmly stated that what I did in my own time was my business as it did not impact on this, my full time job. He went ballistic and from then critices me at every opportunity. He has actually used very bad words and phrases and I wrote him a letter stating that I was worthy of being treated with respect. I have worked here for ten years and need to work another four years to pay for my house and car. I never hid that I have a part time job and many owners know this and it does not matter to them. I've been praying so hard and actually feel at peace - even though I may be out of work in a month. Life will be so hard but I have faith that even if I do lose my job, I may get another part time job to help with my payments. I am asking if any of you have been in this situation and if so, what did you do about it? The problem is that I have reached retirement age so there would be no redundancy payment s or pension due to me. What would you do? Blessings: The word is LOVE
5 people like this
16 responses
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I don't you what you do, but having been there 10 years you obviously do it well. It's too bad that you are being subjected to this kind of treatment. He has no right to speak to you that way. You are a real trooper for hanging in there. Regardless of the outcome, I think you will be ok either way, remember everything happens for a reason. I don't know, but I couldn't work under those kind of circumstances. I wish you luck and I'm sure everything will turn out for your benefit in the long run.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
My youngest son is visiting from the U.K. he said that they (my children) would help to make up my shortfall monthly but I do not want to be a burden on them yet. Everything does happen for a reason and I am very calm - almost resigned about it all. I do do the job well, so part of me is hoping that he othe owners will speak out to the Board and voice their opinions. If this happened it would mean that he would have to resign - so as he is considered good at his job and as no one lese wants this job, I cannot see tis happening. Thank yo for your kind thoughts and wishes and thank you also for responding. With the help of God this too will pass! Blessings
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
5 Jan 09
Do you have documentation? And do you have a Human Resources group that you can talk to about this? I've been in a situation where I was waiting to find out whether or not I had a job, but never when I had a boss who obviously didn't like me.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Jan 09
Interesting. I'm thinking if it's an unpaid position: 1) he's going to have a hard time replacing you and 2) no doubt you can find another position (paid or unpaid) that's more fulfilling (I hope). Anyway, good luck!
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 Jan 09
have you checked with whatever authority governs work norms in your country here if you have worked 10 years you have rights and cannot be fired for no reason at all. And if you are fired after working that long you are entitled to compensation for that. No I don't recall that every happening to me, if I was spoken to, it was because my work somehow was at fault.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
7 Jan 09
Thank you for responding winterose. My problem is that I am not entitled to any compensation because I have reached retirement age. They can just give me a month's notice. However, I emailed all owners 2 days ago aand tolf them of problems we are expereincing and how I intend to dolve these problems. I then ended by thanking them for their help and support throughout the past year. I was just making the Chairman know that I do have the support of th owner's behind me. But it would not be good working with him under these conditions. But I have prayed so hard that they will not agree with him today. The meeting is in progress as I type this. I hope that the board will give me the necessary support and not bow to this bully. Buthe will be very charming with them. So who knows?Blessings
@Fortunata (1135)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I don't think bosses have the right to penalize their workers just because they have a part time job. What you do on your own time is your business. That's what I say. As long as the job doesn't conflict with what you're doing, who cares? If there was conflict of interest involved-let's say you were using your computer at work to do your other job, they might have a say, I don't know. That kind of thing.Hang in there!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
Thank you for yiour kind response and for your comforting words. I don't use my pc at work for my part time job. I manage a villa but with tourism down ther aren't many guests. It's close to my home so I go there before work or after work never during work hours. This extra money helped me put my daughter through university as I am a widow. I telphone them but I use a cell that they gave me - not the phone at work. There is no conflict of interest and my lawyer told me that he cannot force me to tell him what I earn in my own time. Thak you for responding. I so appreciate it. blessings
@vjayrao06 (107)
• India
6 Jan 09
Hi, Cynthiann! I am really perturbed to learn that such heartless people are there in the shape of your boss.It is a shame. I think the only reason he wants to get rid of you is that he can get an alternative hand at less wages and you don't have much to stop him from doing this.He should have taken into consideration that you have served him so long and so faithfully.When money is the only criteria, such things don't appeal to such people. However, hope for the best.Maybe, as the saying goes, everything that happens is for our good only.My best wishes for you.
• United States
6 Jan 09
I think that a lot of this is due to the economic crysis. I think that your boss is really stressed out and is trying to get rid of some people. Just try and be nice to him. Ignore him being mean and try to go a long with what he says.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
I really try to do what he says but he keeps contradicting his orders and this gets confusing to say the least. I am the only one in the office and I have not had a pay raise for over 2 years but I keep quiet as I know that times are hard. It is not just him paying me, my salary comes out of all what the owners pay for maintenance. Thak yo for your kind response. Blessings
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
6 Jan 09
That is terrible. I remember you saying something about the situation before. I was hoping that by now he would have stopped the nonsense and left it alone. I really hope you do not lose your job.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
I do not want to lose this job as it is only 15 minutes away from home and very convenient but it may well happen. It is tremendously stressful - I can actually feel my bp rising by a pain in the back of my head. Thank you for your support. I just want to now if I have a job or not. It would be very difficult for me to get another job as my age is against me. Blessings
@ellie333 (21016)
6 Jan 09
Oh Cynthiann, Sorry you have this concern at the moment, bullying in the workplace is not allowed and it does sound like this person has been doing that to you. I will pray also but you hvae put into Gods hands now so whatever the outcome on Thursday your needs will be met. I would seek proffessional advice though as you shouldn't be treated in this way. Good luck. Huggles. Ellie :D
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
Jo ellie, Yes, I have put it in God's hands and am very calm about it all. I did ask a lawyer who is a friend and I am not doing anything wrong and do not have to tell him anything. Thank you for responding. Blessings
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
6 Jan 09
does he have a boss. he needs reporting to someone. that's ridiculous for a grown man to act that way. u are right it's not his buisness that u have a part time job. i'm sorry u are having that kind of trouble w/such an a$$ & that's what he is & worse.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
No, he is the boss of the property that I manage. I feel that tomorrow he will say that he will resign if they don't sack me. I know two of the four persons would be for me but he would be against and the otyher person is a wuss and would vote with the chairman. so I don't know what will happen. He has always been a control freak but I have deaklt with this as his apartment was rented and he did not come down too often. But now he comes down frequently and his wife always winds him up to say something. I know this because their housekeeper tells me what they say! Thank yo for esponding. Blessings
@dropofrain (1167)
• India
6 Jan 09
It is terrible to hear such things these days. With the economic conditions getting worse day by day, we the service people are having a terrible time. We are living on a very thin edge of our jobs and need to join hands to do something before we get finish.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
I agree, we do have to join hands together as the economic conditions will be getting a lot worse. Save every cent you can so that you are prepared to face the bad times that may come. Thank you for responding. Blessings
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
6 Jan 09
Hi cynthiann~That is really mean! Why would he suddenly be angry that you have a part time job? If it isn't interfering with your regular job what difference does it make? Can he really fire you and not let you have your pension? Is there anyone else that you can speak to about this? Is he the owner of the company? Is there anyone that is over him that you can speak to about his behavior? This is sounding like something kind of illegal the way he is behaving! I have had all sorts of horrific things done to me on many jobs. I was forced out of one of my jobs as a legal secretary and had to fight for my unemployment insurance against the managing partner of the law firm and I won! It was scary, but the Judge let the managing partner have it because he was under oath and had to admit to the terrible treatment that he and the rest of the staff had put me through! So if there is someone else that you can speak to about this person's behavior I suggest that you do it!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
It is so different out here. I don't have any rights because I have reached retirement age. Therefore, they can just give me a month's notice. I knew that there would not be any pension when I took the job. I do receive a small pension from the U.K. and a very small pension from my country - but not enough to pay my mortgage, car and live. The part time job has helped me enormously in getting my daughter through university etc. He is not doing anything illegal. He wants me to leave so they can emloy someone younger and pay them less. Also he was so mad, yelling and cursing at me for not telling him how much I earned form my part time job. He really is a control freak. Thank you for responding. Blessings
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I am so sorry to hear about all the trouble you have been having at your job. I can't help but wonder if God has something else out there for you that would be just the perfect thing for you. I can't say that I've ever been in quite the same position as you, but I did work for a couple really nasty bosses in the past. One of them was just a real pain. He was constantly on my back. I had worked for other dentists in the past and they were all quite satisfied with my work. This guy didn't like anything I did! I was used to having some independence in my job. Most dentists liked to have certain things taken care of by the staff. He was a total control freak! I was hanging in there until my baby was to be born. I took 6 weeks off after the birth and about 2 weeks before going back, my husband told me not to. He said that he didn't like the way the guy was treating me (I came home crying quite frequently) and he told me to quit. When I called the boss, he basically talked me into coming back part-time. My husband had to actually call him back and say "No way!" I found a wonderful part-time "job share" position with another dentist. He was a Christian man and was just wonderful to work for. God knew all along that this job was out there just waiting for me! I pray that the same will happen to you!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
I am in a dither today a bit but I also possess a feeling of calmness. My boss just phoned and was so pleasant - I don't know if this to to keep me off track or if he is possibly suffering from bi-polar that has not been either diagnosed or treated. It is my lunch hour and he asked me if I wasn't going out to lunch. I never go out to lunch so this was peculiar. Maybe he wanted to leave a message on the phone asking why I wasn't in office. Who knows? Thank you for your support and prayers. I am glad that God had naother job waiting for you. I am leaving it to Him and going forward in faith that all will be well. Blessings
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I'm not certain about the laws in Jamaica. Is there a process that a company has to go through to terminate employment? Do they have to write you up? Counsel you on your behavior and give you a chance to improve before they can terminate you. Do you want to continue to work for someone who mistreats you like this? I wish you the best of luck and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know what happens.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
Hi Lauren, thank you for responding. There are laws here in Jamaica but I am not entitled to any settlement or anything as I have reached retirement age. I called the Ministry of Labour to find out my rights and as I have reached retirement age then they can just retire me without giving nme anything. I don't want to work for him but my age is against me especailly in a small Island that is facing the blows of recession. I would not get another full time job. when he is around I do stupid things out of fear I suppose. He yells and shouts and bangs on the table. I never received this from my father, husband or three sons or daughter. I told him that I am worthy of respect and he goes ballistic and he told me to resign and I refused. So the show down is tomorrow. I will be glad when I know the Board's decision. It is a nightmare! Blessings
@Tinna_He (300)
• China
6 Jan 09
when i have a part time job ,i will never let others know ,especially the full time job's boss and colleagues. maybe colleagues will envy you have another job and earn more money than him .and the boss will be unhappy to know that you have another job.regardless you do the part time job in your own time ,he will think you are not loyalty.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
I am the only person in my office Tinna and I did take legal advice over what he said. I have worked here for 10 years and have always had a part time job of one kind or another. He knows that I am loyal and ther is not a conflict of interest. Thank you for responding. Blessings
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
6 Jan 09
I feel sorry for you if in case your boss would fire you with that reasoning. I feel that you have the right to fight it over if you think you have not done anything wrong to your job. Having part time job would be okay for as long as it doesn't interfere with your regular job. I guess its just being practical and making good use of your spare time to make extra money. For me if they want to know what is your part time job its okay to tell what it is but asking you how much you are earning from it is quite rude unless they could present a valid reasoning for it like it will be used for taxation purposes or something but truthfully I guess you can fight it if you want and may consult an attorney if you want it so.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
The situation is this. I have reached retirement age so I don't have a leg to stand on - as it were! They can just retire me wihtout giving me a penny. I do get a pension from another source but it is not enough to live on whilst I still have my house and car to pay for. I di seek legal advice and was tolsd that I am not obligated to give any details of my part time job but simply to say that it is not in conflict with my present full time job. Thank you for responding. Blessings
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
5 Jan 09
That's awful that he's trying this hard to get you fired. I hope you don't lose your job. I'm saying a little prayer for you right now. Keep us posted with what happens.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Jan 09
Thank you for responding. I've shed so many trars that I am all 'teared out.'LOL . I am leaving it all in God's hands right now. He is a control freak. Blessings