Do I have any reprieve from a former boss falsely informing my family members that I'm doing drugs?
Do I have any reprieve from a former boss falsely informing my family members that I'm doing drugs?
My former boss recently fired me after his daughter took a picture of me then approached people I was with after I left an alcoholics anonymous meeting. He let me go after his daughter unbeknownst to me took a picture of who I was talking to outside of convenience store. Apparently she knew one of the sponsees of the friend I was talking to and fellow recovering addict who apparently has a fairly sketchy past involving drugs and the police.
The next day my boss informed me that he knew that I was "hanging out" with drug addicts and that he knew that I was doing heroin. I told him that yes I do know addicts which I assumed was kind of given since I attend addiction Anonymous meetings. He also said it was obvious to him that I was using heroin because i was in the picture his daughter took with this individual ( whom I had met for the first time that night by the way) He told me that must be why I "nod out" in the work truck. I was too taken back by these absurd allegations at the time to defend myself but, yes, I have fallen asleep while riding in the truck but that is because I work 3 jobs and had just worked 4-(16) hour days straight. Im pretty sure everyone gets tired at some point.. Long story short he ended up telling me to take the rest of the week off and "figure out what I wanted."
Shortly after I was confronted, first by my very upset 18 year old niece, who had been sent the picture and was told I was in cahoots with and using with this kid they knew about and I had just met (which I have to say regardless of his past or whatever anybody might think they know about him, I will never write off or snub any addict who is trying to get clean). Next I was confronted by and almost got into a physical altercation with my older brother (who also owns the house that I live in along with my other brother, my mother and her boyfriend) because my boss, himself, had shown him the picture that his daughter had taken, and told him about the previous indiscretions of this kid i had just met and told him that we were cohorts who did God knows what, which no matter what was said it could not be true since i just met the kid.
Needless to say this completely fabricated scenario caused me quite a few problems at my house and with my family. On top of that I was also approached by, scolded and now have tension with the AA members who wanted to know who and why "some girl" took pictures and apparently approached them after I left. The whole situation has been a nightmare to say the least. It is also further complicated for me because my former boss is a neighbor and fairly close to my brother and the rest of the family as is my niece and his daughter. Ultimately though regardless of the relationship between the families this was my boss who defamed me to my family, and who knows who else, and caused me all sorts of headaches. I'm sure he gives some explaination when customers, vendors or any other tradesmen ask him..
Obviously it would would be nice to set the record straight, but ultimately I just want to make the point that this is not acceptable and not just lay down and allow these blatant lies to be accepted just because my former boss wants to stir up trouble. I have never done heroin in my life by the way, just to throw that out there..
And worst of all for the year and half I worked with him he has gone back and forth to his 1/2 oz a week cocaine habit. Being a hypocrite is bad enough, but I think being a hypocrite that makes up lies to jam someone else up has to take the cake..
So I've considered all of my options, from confronting him, talking to his wife, the whole family, writing a letter so to avoid conflict (he is extremely aggressive and confrontational as you might assume), writing the newspaper, telling customers jobs he's messed up while high, even reporting him because he doesn't currently have a valid licence, as well as, legal options. I am pretty sure that what he did is not quite legal. Maybe as a friend/neighbor, but i know there is a higher standard and employees have at least some protection from such defamation by an employer. I mean I would think I might even have a case to get rid of the picture I assume they still have (and could be posted on the internet by now for all I know).
So I guess my question is just general advice, what my options might be? Honestly I'm pretty sure it's not going to hurt me to not be around large amounts of drugs, where I might get hurt or expensive equipment might be destroyed. And although he paid me good hourly, but with all the late and missed days (which I had literally no heads up, a lot of the time he would just not answer, or would respond to me for literally hours, sometimes days) my hours were very inconsistent, sometimes even nonexistent. I am pretty sure to say if you factor in all the time I say around waiting to start working, or even just to hear from him my hourly probably wouldn't look too nice..
So although I would like to consider all of my options, I think it's important not to stoop to his level. Initially I just wanted to get him back as bad as I could but since some of those options could make him lose his family and/or business least for his sake I would like to show that I have a little more class than that. I don't want to be malicious, but also cannot allow myself to lie down and let him think he can get away with something like this. That is why I think legal options might be the best. He needs to know that his actions are not acceptable and therefore why I would think at some point it was illegal for him to do as my employer. I appreciate any ideas/advice you might have in this situation. If not, at least i got the chance to vent. Thank you for your time, ear and advice.
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