Do I have the right to know who the accuser was to give proper info for a fair investigation?

I was a female store manager for a large corporation for 11 years and was terminated for sending a cartoon text message 6-7 months ago to a "friend" who NOW says they were offended.

When questioned if I sent this particular text message to any employees I said probably, a lot of my friends are employees of this company. I also stated that if I sent a text to anyone programmed in my phone, they also have sent me the same type of text messages.

I was also accused of taking my shirt off over a year ago in the employee breakroom to show employees an infection on my arm. This is absurd and offensive. I would think that if I did something like that I would be hearing about it way before now!!

I was asked to write a statement and suspended that day which was a Wed. I didn't feel as though I was given the appropriate amount of time to write a detailed statement in which my career rested upon. That evening I E-mailed my District Manager and asked to add on to the original. In this statement I explained many situations where this could be an act of retaliation. I also wrote I wasn't condoning my actions or poor judgment, but asking for a thorough investigation considering all resources.

On Monday morning I was called in to discuss the decision made regarding my career/employment with the company. H.R started by informing me that when I was asked to give names of other employees that had sent me messages, I refused. This was absolutely false. I was never asked anything of that sort. He then proceeded to give me the opportunity at that time to give names. I said some of these people are my friends and you are asking me to put every one of their jobs on the line and their are a whole lot of them. He said he wanted to investigate them. I said I couldn't do that and I wouldn't. At that point I was told the decision was to terminate my employment.

I was not told who the accuser/accusers are. Why would I need to tell him names of everyone that has text me if they are not the ones that were claiming to be offended? Don't I have the right to know who is accusing me of this to bring up text messages the accuser has sent me?

I believe it is a particular employee who was an underperforming department manager who recently was demoted and transferred. I also don't believe any employee from my store was questioned or a fair number or anyone in my defense.

Does the company have the right to term only me, while the accuser who also participated in sending text messages still has their job? The company operates under a union contract. The employees have representation, but being a Store Manager I am not a part of the bargaining agreement. I don't think a fair investigation was done and I think it was an act of retaliation. This was my livelihood and my career. What should I do?

0 answers  |  asked Jun 29, 2010 12:07 AM [EST]  |  applies to Arizona

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