Is this retaliation?
I worked for a medium sized non-profit agency for 24 years maintaining an outstanding employment record. In the past 2 years the Director has forced staff to make numerous questionable and possibly illegal transactions from one fund to another to cover various overexpenditures. I finally said this could not go on and worked with the Finance Director to report it to the board. After an internal investigation where many untrue charges were made against me and I requested an opportunity to consult with an attorney I was fired.
1 answer | asked May 3, 2002 6:34 PM [EST] | applies to Ohio
Answers (1)
If you in good faith believed that the transactions were illegal and reported your good faith belief to the Board, you engaged in protected conduct. Asking to consult with an attorney is probably protected too. At least one court has held that actually consulting an attorney is protected.
The question will be whether you were terminated for engaging in this conduct. The Director will probably trump up complaints, most likely sounding in "insubordination," which a jury would have to sort through to see if they are the real reasons or whether your protected conduct was the cause for your termination after 24 years of faithful service.
I have challenged non-profits in very similar cases and successfully negotiated severance packages. If you are in Northeast Ohio, we offer an initial consultation for $200.00. Call Cheryl, our office manager, at 330.665.5445, ext. 0 if you would like to schedule a consultation.
Regards,
Neil Klingshirn
posted by Neil Klingshirn | Sep 9, 2002 9:20 PM [EST]
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